• How to Apply

  1. Declare a major in art history (BA) 
  2. Tell your advisor that you intend to participate in the pathway program and contact the MA program director. 
     • Your advisor can help you make sure you’re on track to succeed in the pathway program.  
     • You’ll want to schedule an informal meeting with the MA program director. We like to stay in touch with our students as they are preparing to enter the pathway, and we’d like to invite you to special events for our prospective students!  
  3.  Take these program prerequisites during your undergraduate studies:
     • ARE 5262 
     • ARE 5641 
     • ARE 5867 
     • Either ARH 5806: Art & Cultural Heritage Law & Policy OR TPA 5408: Business and Legal Issues in the Arts 
  4. APPLY by February 1 during the third year of your BA program. You will need to submit your application materials and interview with program faculty.  
  5. Complete all undergraduate major requirements with a GPA of 3.0 or higher. 

• Application Deadlines

  • International applicants, priority deadline: January 15th. 

  • Admission priority deadline: February 1st 

  • Rolling admission through July 1st 

• Application Materials

  • Letters of Recommendation 
  • • Students must submit three letters of recommendation  
    • The letters of recommendation should be from someone who can describe your ability to meet the graduate level of rigor and expectations in coursework, writing, and speaking skills 

  • Statement of Purpose, 1,000 word biography addressing: 
    • professional or academic background 
    • career goals 
    • rationale for applying to the program 
    • list of other programs you are applying to 
    • Advice for writing a statement of purpose can be found at the FSU Career Center Website 

  • Academic Writing Sample 
    • Most people submit a paper that they wrote in college, retouching it for content and style. 
    • If you don’t have a paper that you have already written, you can write one from scratch. 
    • You’ll want to submit a piece of writing that demonstrates your ability to analyze a topic in the same (or related) field to which you are applying. 

  • Resume / CV 

• Program Structure

  • PRE-PATHWAY (any time during undergrad) 
    • ARE 5262: Principles of Arts Administration
    • ARE 5641: Critical Analysis 
    • ARE 5867: Development and Grant Writing in the Arts
    • ARE 5806 or TPA 5408: Legal Requirement 
       
  • SUMMER   
    • Students enroll in two courses to complete outstanding program requirements.  
    • At this time, students planning to pursue the research-based capstone project should plan to take ARE 5745: Research Survey. 
    • All students should prioritize completion of the program’s Financial Management requirement at this time, as course offerings allow (PAD 5208, PAD 5227, or TPA 5425)   
       
  • FALL: Students complete a full roster of graduate classes.  
     
  • SPRING 2: In their final semester, students are working to complete their capstone projects via internship or supervised research. 

Pathway FAQ

• What does “combined pathway” mean for this program?

  It means you can start your master’s degree in Arts Administration while you’re still finishing your Art History bachelor’s degree. Instead of applying after you graduate, you move directly into graduate coursework and stay on a clear path to both degrees. 

• How is this different from doing the degrees separately?

  Normally, you would finish your bachelor’s, then apply to a master’s program. In this pathway, you apply during your junior year and begin graduate-level coursework sooner—saving time and staying on track. 

• When do I start taking graduate classes?

  You’ll apply during your third year, and once admitted, you’ll transition into graduate coursework as you complete your undergraduate degree requirements. 

• How long does it take to finish both degrees?

  Most students complete both degrees in about 5 years total, instead of taking additional years after finishing their bachelor’s. 

• What will I study in the Arts Administration part of the program?

  You’ll learn how arts organizations work, including:

  • Leadership and management 
  • Cultural policy 
  • Grant writing and fundraising 
  • Financial and legal aspects of the arts

   
  This prepares you for behind-the-scenes roles that support artists and arts organizations. 

• What kind of careers does this pathway prepare me for?

  This pathway is ideal if you’re interested in careers like: 

  • Museum or gallery leadership 

  • Arts nonprofit management 

  • Performing arts administration (theatre, dance, music) 

  • Cultural policy and advocacy 

• Is this pathway right for me?

  This is a great fit if you love art history but are more interested in leading, managing, or supporting arts organizations.