A Flexible Program Designed to Meet Your Needs

The Arts Administration program provides academic preparation for leadership positions with creative enterprises, museums, foundations, corporations, and government agencies involved in the arts and culture sector. Students interested in the management of arts and cultural organizations, including museums of all types, will find a curriculum that provides them with a broad foundation of understanding the history and current trends of the sector, as well as opportunities to explore specific areas of practice in more depth.

Arts Administration students will complete several core courses, followed by a capstone sequence, along with electives that they can choose to take within or outside of the program.

Students may enroll in the program on a full- or part-time basis. The program is designed to accommodate working students, so all classes are offered in the evening or online. Students must matriculate in either the campus or online program, but students in either program may take some courses in the other program.

Students should plan to enter the program at the start of the fall term. Full-time students may complete the degree in five consecutive terms when beginning in the fall term, and part-time students typically take seven to eight terms to complete the degree.

Course Work Requirements and Sample Plan of Study

Visit the Drexel University Course Catalog: Arts Administration MS page to learn more about courses and requirements. The Sample Plan of Study is for review purposes only. Several factors influence the length of the program and the sequencing of courses including the option to study full or part-time and programmatic changes. Students should contact the program director or Westphal's admissions team with questions.

Graduate Minor and Certificate Options

Arts Administration students can complete a Graduate Minor in Museum Leadership by completing 4 electives as a part of their degree. Museums encompass many disciplines including art, history, science, anthropology and archaeology. The Museum Leadership graduate minor enables students pursuing an MS degree to gain a fundamental understanding of how museums function in contemporary society in preparation for entering a museum career.

Arts Administration students can complete a Graduate Certificate in Responsible Cultural Leadership by completing 4 electives as a part of their degree.The post-baccalaureate certificate is designed to equip culture leaders with the necessary skills to manage and advocate for changes within the culture industry and society. With classes created by pioneers of the cultural field, this certificate empowers students to be culture leaders in areas of activism, social justice, sustainability, equity and inclusion.