University of Kentucky®
Masters Degree (MA) in
Arts Administration
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PROGRAM DETAILS
FORMAT
TOTAL CREDITS 36
CREDENTIALS MA Degree
COST PER CREDIT
$753.00
- UK Online
- All Programs
- Masters Degrees
- Arts Administration (MA)
About this Program
Become a leader in art organizations by building your leadership and management skills through this online program. This online program is designed for the working professional who wants to acquire the leadership and management skills for today’s arts organizations. Our program affords the flexibility to balance school, work, and family obligations.
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Designed For
This programs is for individuals passionate about the management and promotion of arts organizations, including museums, theaters, galleries, and cultural institutions. Prospective students often have a background in arts management, business, or the arts themselves, seeking to develop skills in leadership, fundraising, marketing, and strategic planning within the creative sector.
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Learn more about the Arts Administration online program.
Earn your degree on your schedule. Online makes it possible.
Fill out this form to be sent information on the Masters (MA) in Arts Administration program, including deadlines, tuition, application requirements and more!
What You’ll Learn
- Design programs and strategies in order to engage with stakeholders, donors, patrons, and communities
- Solve problems through quantitative and qualitative research and conceptual analysis
- Utilize industry-standard software programs to create compelling messages in a variety of mediums.
- Draw on your new knowledge of the cultural sector to initiate change in the arts
- Transcend traditional modes and mechanisms in order to innovatively collaborate with peer colleagues, industry professionals, and faculty
Course Examples
- AAD 510 Advanced Emotional Intelligence & Professional Communications
- AAD 620 Management and Leadership in the Arts
- AAD 625 Financial Management for Arts Organizations
- AAD 630 Marketing the Arts: Research and Practices
- AAD 640 Principles of Fundraising and Philanthropy
- AAD 650 The Arts and the Law
- AAD 651 Advocacy, Policy, & Activism
- AAD 670 Arts & Equality
- AAD 690 Creating and Evaluating New Arts Programs
- AAD 750 Social Responsibility and Sustainability in the Arts
GOT QUESTIONS?
Schedule time to meet with a representative from the Arts Administration program to talk about your unique situation.
How to Apply
Admissions Criteria
- The MA in Arts Administration is open to qualified applicants who have earned a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in the United States or abroad with an overall grade point average of 2.75 on undergraduate work and 3.00 on all graduate work, if applicable.. All candidates for admission are selected on the basis of undergraduate transcripts, academic and personal references, and related work experience.
- Applicants are expected to have a demonstrable commitment to the arts in at least one art form. This requirement can be satisfied in several ways including an undergraduate degree in an art form or arts-related field; professional experience in the arts; or extra-curricular activity in the arts.
- International applicants whose native language is not English must submit either a TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) or IELTS (International English Language Testing System) score. See Graduate School admissions for specifics.
Application Requirements
- Transcripts
- Applicants may submit unofficial transcripts for all university and college degrees earned. Upon acceptance, official transcripts are required.
- Resume
- Please submit a resume (no more than two pages in length) indicating your education, professional and volunteer experience, accomplishments and qualifications for graduate study.
- Statement of Purpose
- A statement of purpose (one page, single-spaced) indicating the reasons for your interest in graduate study in Arts Administration at UK and what they hope to accomplish with their degree. Please also discuss your personal or professional skills that will aid you in successfully completing classes online.
- Writing Sample
- Writing samples (10-15 pages) that preferably would include at least one sample of research writing (college-level or above) but may also include professional writing samples that demonstrate critical and analytical thinking. Professional writing samples may include researched essays, marketing or fundraising materials, planning documents or journalistic work.
- If you do not have an academic or professional writing sample that you wish to submit, you may opt to write a new paper. The research paper should address one of the following topics and should include appropriate citation and references:
- Discuss an issue in the arts or arts administration that you believe is of particular concern locally, regionally, nationally or internationally.
- Select a person who has had a significant influence in an artistic field. Describe and analyze the person's contributions to the arts.
- Write an essay responding to and providing compelling examples of this quote: “Art is a nation’s most precious heritage. For it is in our works of art that we reveal to ourselves and to others the inner vision which guides us as a nation. And where there is no vision, the people perish." –Lyndon Johnson, on signing into existence the National Endowment on the Arts
- Any arts-related topic of your choosing
- Two letters of recommendation addressing the applicant's qualifications for graduate work and proclivity for the field of arts administration.
- Preferably one letter should come from an academic reference and one from a professional reference. (Only an email address is required. Our system will ask them to upload their letter.)
Program Contact
Deadlines
Fall 2025
Spring 2026
Summer 2025
I was already in an arts administration position upon entry, but the courses have given me a breadth of knowledge to help grow my organization. I have since become my organization's vice president.
Jonathan WysongWhy UK Online
Once you become a student, you will have access to a wide variety of academic support services to maximize your success.
No test scores required.
Pay the same online tuition rate, no matter where you live.
Degrees are conferred by the University of Kentucky, an accredited university.
Fit learning into your busy schedule with no prescribed class times.
Frequently Asked Questions
Admissions
What is the admission criteria?
Please view the Admission Criteria section, located under "How to Apply" on this page.
Tuition
How much does the online program cost?
The tuition rate for this program is listed at the top of this page. If you still have questions, please reach out to the program representative.
What tuition assistance is available for graduate students?
Graduate students should review the Student Funding information available through the Graduate School. Specific programs may offer additional funding that is unique to that program. Contact the Director of Graduate Studies (DGS) in the department in which you wish to enroll with questions about the availability of assistantships and the application process.
I'm not in Kentucky. What's my tuition rate?
For our fully online programs, state of residence does not affect tuition rate. Tuition is the same no matter where you live.
Online Learning
Should I enroll as a full-time graduate student?
This depends on each student and their ability to manage the heavy course load of enrolling full-time, which is 9 credit hours (typically, 3 classes) per semester. Students who enroll full-time may find it difficult to keep even a part-time job. Students who are able to manage a full-time courseload can take advantage of our Graduate Tuition Cap and save on tuition, which offers a flat tuition rate per semester when enrolled in 9 or more credit hours.
Will I have to attend class at a specific time?
No, all classes are asynchronous. This means that students complete the course requirements according to the syllabus and deadlines, but they have flexibility within their own schedule to complete coursework at times that work best for their schedule. We recommend students log in everyday to ensure they are staying on top of communication and assignments.
What should I expect in online classes?
It's important to know how to approach learning in an online program. Online classes are not harder nor easier than in-person classes, but they are different due to their asynchronous modality. This means students should expect to:
Develop a routine: Login to your online class routinely (we recommend at least once daily) to receive updates and contribute meaningfully to any ongoing discussions.
Be good time managers: Determine when you have time to work on coursework throughout the week so you don't fall behind or put off assignments until the last minute.
Communicate: If you are having any trouble, message your peers and/or your instructor right away to ask for help or clarification. Never be afraid to reach out to your instructors or Student Affairs if you need assistance--we have many resources to help you, but we need to know your situation to act accordingly on your behalf.
If you need additional support in navigating the online classroom, Canvas (our learning management system) has a number of helpful tools, including a module for new students that walks through everything you need to know about navigating information in your online class.
Will my degree say “online”?
No, you are awarded the same diploma from UK as students who take classes in-person. There is no denotation of “online” on your diploma or your transcripts.
Can I meet with faculty even though the program is online?
Yes. Our faculty are happy to meet with our students by phone call, email, or an online meeting. You are also welcome to set up an in-person appointment if you ever find yourself in Lexington.
Are there any on-campus requirements?
No, there is no on-campus requirement.
Ready to Take Your Next Step?
Our team is here to help you with the next stage of your journey. Reach out to us today!
Distance Learning Authorization & Licensure
Where you live matters when completing distance education activities. If you will live outside of Kentucky while completing your program, please check the Distance Learning Authorization & Licensure page to confirm that the program can be offered in your state or country, and if relevant, that it meets professional licensure requirements in your state. Please note: Admission and enrollment in a fully-online program can NOT lead to the issuance of a J-1 or F-1 student visa.
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