The Master of Arts degree in Arts and Cultural Management is a multidisciplinary degree administered by the College of Arts and Letters that prepares students for leadership positions related to the management and advocacy of arts and cultural organizations or industry dimensions of an artistic and humanistic entrepreneurial career. Students will choose from a concentration within the program for deeper exposure to artistic and cultural management depending on their area of interest.

The Master of Arts degree in Arts and Cultural Management is available only under Plan B (non-thesis). A total of 30 credits are required for the degree. At least 15 credits must be at the 800-level.

Students must complete 30 credits from the following courses:

1. Both of the following courses (6 credit hours):
ACM 801 Introduction to Arts and Cultural Management (3 chr)
AL 892 Seminar (3 chr)

2. One of the following courses (6 credit hours):
ACM 871 Internship in Arts and Cultural Management (6 chr)
MUSM 893 Museum Internship (6 chr)

3. Three of the following courses (9 credit hours):
ACM 461 Strategies of Arts and Cultural Management (3 chr)
ACM 462 Promotion and e-Commerce in Arts and Cultural Management (3 chr)
ACM 462 Event Production and Planning for Arts and Culture (3 chr)
ACM 868 Law and Policy for Arts and Cultural Management (3 chr)

4. One of the following concentrations (9 credit hours):
Museum Studies

The following course (3 credit hours):
MUSM 485 Foundations of Museum Studies (3 chr)

Two of the following courses (6 credit hours):
CSUS 873 Culture, Communities and Tourism (3 chr)
MUSM 494 Museum Exhibitions: Theory and Development (3 chr)
MUSM 498 Learning in Museums (3 chr)
MUSM 887 Museums and Technology (3 chr)
MUSM 888 Curatorial Practices in Museums and Cultural Organizations (3 chr)
MUSM 895 Special Topics in Museum Studies (3 chr)
CSUS 452 Interpretation and Visitor Information Systems (3 chr)

Management Studies
Two of the following courses (6 credit hours):
ACM 464 Education and Outreach for Arts and Cultural Management (3 chr)
ACM 465 Leadership and Innovation for Arts and Cultural Management (3 chr)
AL 891 Special Topics in Arts and Humanities (3 chr)

One of the following courses (3 credit hours):
ACM 461 Strategies of Arts and Cultural Management (3 chr)
ACM 462 Promotion and e-Commerce in Arts and Cultural Management (3 chr)
ACM 462 Event Production and Planning for Arts and Culture (3 chr)
ACM 868 Law and Policy for Arts and Cultural Management (3 chr)
This requirement can only be met by choosing the course not used to fulfill requirement 3 above.
Operational Studies

Two of the following courses (6 credit hours):
ACM 467 Development and Public Relations for Arts and Cultural Management (3 chr)
ACM 468 Facilities and Operations for Arts and Cultural Management (3 chr)
AL 891 Special Topics in Arts and Humanities (3 chr)

One of the following courses (3 credit hours):
ACM 461 Strategies of Arts and Cultural Management (3 chr)
ACM 462 Promotion and e-Commerce in Arts and Cultural Management (3 chr)
ACM 462 Event Production and Planning for Arts and Culture (3 chr)
ACM 868 Law and Policy for Arts and Cultural Management (3 chr)

This requirement can only be met by choosing the course not used to fulfill requirement 3 above.

Other management-focused, arts and humanities courses, including independent study, as applicable, may be substituted with the approval of the academic advisor.

5. Completion of a final oral examination or evaluation.

The Master of Arts degree in Arts and Cultural Management is available only under Plan B (non-thesis). A total of 30 credits are required for the degree, and at least 15 credits must be at the 800-level. Students can choose from one of the following three concentrations: Museum, Management, or Operational Studies as they relate to organizations such as: museums, galleries, theatres, performing art centers, and historic & cultural centers to name a few.

Requirements for Admission to ACM:
Student’s Statement of purpose/letter of intent
Student’s Resume or curriculum vitae
3 Professional Letters of Recommendation
Official Transcripts
One writing sample, in standard American English (SAE)
Non-native language proficiency test - ACM minimum TOEFL score requirement of 90
Portfolio that demonstrates professional experience related to arts and cultural management

Master of Arts in Arts & Cultural Management degree requirements
Graduate Study at MSU

MSU Application
Michigan State University has an online application system through the Office of Admissions. If you are unable to access the online application, please contact The Graduate School at [email protected] to check on the availability of a paper application.