MA in Arts Administration
Arts administration is the dynamic study of the integration of nonprofit leadership within all types of cultural organizations. Intent on achieving our mission, we aim to educate aspiring cultural leaders about the practice and theory of socially responsible arts administration. Arts Administration is open to individuals with a prior degree in Art, Arts Education, Arts Administration, Performing Arts, or a related field. Come join us, and “Change Your World” with Arts Administration today!
APPLICATION DEADLINE: February 1st. For students interested in funding consideration.
Program Overview
The MA in Arts Administration program prepares graduates with the knowledge, tools, and competencies necessary for leadership in managing various types of cultural organizations and sustaining a vibrant creative ecosystem in diverse communities. The program curriculum combines practice and theory with discussion-based courses, community-engaged experiential learning experiences, and highly engaged faculty.
Students in the program engage with Tallahassee cultural organizations and creative communities as a part of their coursework. This degree at FSU emphasizes interactions with the Colleges of Fine Arts, Music, Dance and School of Theatre and includes a wide variety of internship opportunities. Our students have completed their internships at local institutions such as the Tallahassee Ballet, the Challenger Learning Center, and the Museum of Florida History, as well as nationally recognized museums and arts organizations, including the National Repertory Orchestra, the Museum of Chinese in America, and Wolf Trap Center for the Performing Arts.
Admissions Requirements
- EXPERIENCE & GPA REQUIREMENTS
- An earned bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited US institution, or a comparable degree from an international institution, with a minimum of 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale) grade point average (GPA) in all coursework
- The applicant must be in good standing in the institution of higher education
- An undergraduate major related to Art, Art Education, Arts Administration, Museums, or Performing Arts
- Thirty (30) hours of Arts and/or Art Education coursework or relevant work experience in a cultural organization. (Students may satisfy deficiencies upon acceptance into the program)
- GRE Test Scores
- Earn a minimum percentile ranking of 55% on the Verbal and 25% on the Quantitative portions of the GRE.
- Students may submit a request to waive the GRE if they have a 3.0 overall undergraduate GPA or a 3.0 in their upper-division undergraduate coursework
- TOEFL (for International Students only)
- Minimum scores: 80 internet/213 computer
- TRANSCRIPTS
- Official transcripts must be submitted
- For detailed information on this process, visit: Graduate Admissions.
- EXPERIENCE & GPA REQUIREMENTS
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
- A 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
- A 1,000 word biography addressing:
- 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.
- Letters of Recommendation
Rolling Admissions Deadlines
- FALL ADMISSIONS
- International applicants, priority deadline: January 15
- Applicants interested in funding consideration: February 1
- Applicants uninterested in funding consideration: July 1
- SPRING ADMISSIONS
- Applicants uninterested in funding consideration: October 1
- FALL ADMISSIONS
Objectives
- Students will be prepared in the practice and theory of socially responsible arts administration.
- Students will have the opportunity to grow their skills through internship, service learning, and engagement with cultural organizations.
- Students will leave the program positioned to make an impact in the field.
Structure
- This is a residential program, and students take mostly face-to-face classes on FSU’s main campus.
- Minimum 39 credit hours. Usually takes 4-5 semesters to complete.
- Internship required, usually takes place in summer. The internship can be done remotely, away from campus.
- Degree culminates with a comprehensive exam.
