MA in Arts Administration

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. 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 extracurricular activity in the arts.

The GRE is not required for admission to this program.

1. Transcripts.
   1. Applicants may submit unofficial transcripts for all university and college degrees earned. Upon acceptance, official transcripts are required.
2. Resume.
   1. Please submit a resume (no more than two pages in length) indicating your education, professional and volunteer experience, accomplishments and qualifications for graduate study.
3. Statement of Purpose.
   1. 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.
4. Writing Sample.
   1. 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.
   2. 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:
      1. Discuss an issue in the arts or arts administration that you believe is of particular concern locally, regionally, nationally or internationally.
      2. Select a person who has had a significant influence in an artistic field. Describe and analyze the person's contributions to the arts.
      3. 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
      4. Any arts-related topic of your choosing
5. Letters of Recommendation.
   1. Two letters of recommendation addressing the applicant's qualifications for graduate work and proclivity for the field of arts administration.
      1. Preferably one letter should come from an academic reference and one from a professional reference. When completing your online application, you will be asked to enter in the contact information of your references including their email addresses. Your references will then receive a notification email asking them to complete a recommendation on your behalf. You can check on the status of your online recommendations by logging in to your online application.

Since the program is completely online how easily are students able to discuss topics with their professors?

Interactions and networking are critical components of our program. Students work with their professors every week and have interactions with their peers weekly as well. Faculty are available for video-based office hours weekly and by appointment. Faculty are expected to respond to student inquiries within 48 hours. Students typically say that faculty members are very accessible.

Do students have online library access?

Most certainly! Students have access to the library from off campus through a log-in system. Digital materials can be supplied immediately. Books are mailed to students at their request. 

What are the technical requirements for the online MA in Arts Administration?

Online courses require a minimum level of computer competency. You should have reliable, convenient access to a computer and the Internet, and be comfortable with basic computer and Internet tasks.
 
If you are not comfortable using a computer, you will probably be overwhelmed by the technology requirements of the courses. Try taking a computer basics class before attempting a course that is dependent on using a computer. If you are comfortable using a computer but don't feel you have reliable and convenient access to one, you may find it difficult to fully participate and keep up with course assignments.

For more information about hardware and software, visit UK ITS.

When are courses offered?

Graduate courses in arts administration are offered in the fall, spring and summer semesters. Most MA students enroll in two courses during each of the three semesters.

How are the online courses designed?

Each course in the online M.A. is designed to engage and involve students on a weekly basis. Students participate in weekly discussions, activities and assignments. However, all of the courses are asynchronous - meaning that faculty and students do not need to be online at the same time to complete discussions and assignments. Students are able to work on their classes at a time most convenient for them rather than having to adhere to predetermined class meeting times.

How long does each course take to complete?

For a three-credit hour course, students should expect to spend 6-10 hours each week completing the course content, discussions, activities and assignments. Students are expected to login and participate in the course 4-5 days per week.

Does the program accept transfer credits?

University of Kentucky master’s degree programs may accept up to 9 credit hours of transfer credit. Credit transfers are only evaluated after an applicant has been offered admission into a program and accepted.  In order to evaluate credit transfer requests, students must submit a syllabus and examples of work from the course(s) to the Arts Administration program office for credit evaluation.

The transferable hours include all post-baccalaureate work, graduate work taken at another regionally-accredited university or as a student in another graduate program at the University of Kentucky. The following rules also apply to credit transfer:

• Course credits applied toward a previously awarded graduate degree cannot be transferred.
• Transfer of independent work, research, thesis or dissertation credit is not permitted.
• Short courses lasting fewer weeks than the number of credits may not be transferred.
• A student must have been in graduate status at the time the courses were taken in order for the courses to be transferable. A student must be in good academic standing at the time of transfer.
• Only courses assigned a B grade or better can be transferred. 

Are arts administration internships required at the University of Kentucky?

Internships are not required in the MA in Arts Administration program, but they are available as an elective for students who wish to gain hands-on experience and earn academic credit. The decision to pursue an internship is made in consultation with your academic advisor and often depends on your professional background and goals.

For students who choose to complete an internship for credit, the experience involves a minimum of 150 hours at an approved arts organization. Many students already have a specific organization in mind, and in some cases, they arrange the internship themselves. Faculty are also available to assist with placements when needed.

Students must submit a Learning Contract outlining their internship goals and responsibilities before enrolling in the corresponding Internship course. This course, led by a faculty member, is designed to help students integrate their academic learning with real-world arts management practice.

The internship option is a valuable way to deepen your experience—but entirely up to you.

Is a thesis required for the MA in Arts Administration?

No, a traditional thesis is not required for the MA in Arts Administration. Instead, students complete a graduate examination during their final semester of coursework.

As part of the exam, students are presented with a real-world case study from the field and asked to analyze and solve the challenges facing an arts organization. The goal is to demonstrate the ability to synthesize knowledge gained across the program – from management and marketing to finance, policy, and program evaluation.

Students submit a written analysis showcasing their strategic thinking, problem-solving, and readiness to lead in today’s arts and culture sector.

Is the Arts Administration Program accredited?

In the United States, there is no accrediting body for Arts Administration Programs. The Association of Arts Administration Educators (AAAE) is the primary professional association in the field. AAAE produces curricular standards for arts administration programs on the undergraduate and graduate levels. UK’s programs adhere to these curricular standards.

Is the GRE required?

No. The GRE is not a required element for the application for admission to the MA in Arts Administration. A full list of requirements are available on the Admissions page. However, should you wish to apply for a UK Graduate School Fellowship, you are required to submit GRE scores.

If you plan to complete a University of Kentucky online program while living outside of Kentucky, you should check the Out-of-State Students page to determine if the University of Kentucky is authorized to provide this program in your state of residence. If you plan to use the degree to seek licensure, you should also determine if the degree meets the educational requirements for licensure in your state.