Through integrating management theory and practice, exposure to leading arts executives and thinkers, self-study, and academic research, the Arts Administration program prepares you for leadership in the field. The on-campus program, one of the oldest and most established in the nation, draws on the city and region’s rich tapestry of arts and culture organizations to build your professional network and provide hands-on learning experiences, while the online program draws upon some of the country’s brightest arts leaders as mentors, teachers, and guides. Each program shares the same curriculum, with the flexibility to take both on-campus and online courses. You can also set your own plan of study and complete your degree in as little as 15 months or at your own pace while working full time.

By interacting with your classmates, faculty, and our extensive network of alumni, you'll also build a network that serves you throughout your career. All students are members of our student-led organization that complements your classroom experiences through coordinating social and professional events for the arts administration community. Each year, our first-year graduate students participate in the National Arts Action Summit as well as Museums Advocacy Day in Washington, DC, where we join hundreds of advocates from across the country to meet with our elected officials to demonstrate the importance and impact of arts and culture in our society.

Our faculty are the leading thinkers, doers, and teachers in the arts, cultural, and creative sectors. They are dedicated to advancing knowledge and preparing students to lead a dynamic and changing field. Each of our full-time faculty undertakes cutting-edge research, advises leaders from the field, and serves on national and international boards. Our adjunct faculty are selected from the top leaders in their fields, bringing the latest real-world experiences into the classroom.

A FLEXIBLE PROGRAM DESIGNED TO MEET YOUR NEEDS
Drexel’s Arts Administration program is structured to enable you to work full- or part-time while earning your degree. In the on-campus program, all classes are offered once per week on Monday-Thursday evenings. The online program operates with the same curriculum, and provides additional flexibility regarding when you attend class through its asynchronous approach with no fixed meeting times. Students can also create a blended curriculum combining on-campus and online courses.

Drexel operates on a quarter system, and full-time students take three classes each quarter for five consecutive quarters, allowing you to complete your coursework for the degree in just 15 months. Part-time students take one or two classes each quarter, and generally finish the coursework within two years.

To guide your through our program, you will work with a faculty advisor to customize a course of study that best meets your needs and career goals. Candidates for the Master of Science in Arts Administration must complete 45 credits, including core courses in cultural policy, strategic management, leadership, research, revenue development, marketing, and three electives. Along the way, multiple opportunities are available to work with cultural organizations inside and outside of the classroom. The program concludes with the completion of your graduate research thesis, which serves as a tool for further career advancement.

We seek a broad and diverse range of students who are ready to accelerate their careers and take a leadership role in the arts, cultural, and creative sectors. Applications are currently open. No GRE required.

Priority Deadline:
Apply by January 15, 2020 to be considered for graduate assistantships and academic fellowships.

Standard Deadline:
Apply by April 1, 2020 to be considered for academic fellowships.

Questions? Contact Us!

Laura-Edythe Coleman, Phd
Assistant Teaching Professor and Program Director
Arts Administration & Museum Leadership
[email protected]