Oct 10, 2024

2021-2022 Graduate Catalog

2021-2022 Graduate Catalog [Not Current Academic Year. Consult with Your Academic Advisor for Your Catalog Year]

Arts Leadership, MA

Print Degree Planner (opens a new window) |

Kathrine G. McGovern College of the Arts > Arts Leadership, MA

The Master of Arts program in Arts Leadership in the College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences at the University of Houston takes an entrepreneurial approach to preparing creative professionals to launch, administer and maintain arts organizations of all sizes. The degree program provides advanced study in the management and promotions of arts organizations across artistic disciplines.

Students enrolled full-time can complete the degree requirements in two years. Those who wish to continue full-time or part-time employment during the day may complete this program as courses will be offered during evening hours.

All students will be required to complete internships with established, professional, arts organizations in the greater Houston area. They will have access - through guest lecturers, workshop and panels both in class, and through the Center for Arts Leadership - to interact with local and national leaders of distinction in the fields of arts, entertainment and culture.

The Master of Arts program in Arts Leadership develops and cultivates the next generation of influential leaders in the fields of arts and entertainment.

For further information, please see the MA in Arts Leadership website.

Faculty

Fleurette S. Fernando: Director and Adjunct Professor, Arts Leadership. MFA, York University, Toronto, Canada.

Gwendolyn H. Goffe: Adjunct Professor, Arts Leadership. B.A., Connecticut College; M.B.A., Wharton School of Business.

Terri Golas: Adjunct Professor, Arts Leadership. B.A., University of Houston; M.B.A, University of St. Thomas.

Andrea Lazar: Adjunct Professor, Arts Leadership. B.A., University of Texas at Austin; M.A./M.B.A., Southern Methodist University.

Douglas Newman: Adjunct Professor, Arts Leadership. B.A., Brandeis University; M.P.A., New York University.

James Thurman: Director and Clinical Professor, Master of Public Administration. B.A., Texas A&M University; M.P.A., LBJ School of Public Affairs, University of Texas, Austin; Ph.D., University of Houston.

Joseph Wilson: Adjunct Professor, Arts Leadership. B.A., Regis University, Denver; M.A., University of Connecticut, Storrs.

Admission Requirements

Applicants must meet the following minimum requirements for unconditional admission to the Master of Arts in Arts Leadership program:

Bachelor’s degree from a regionally-accredited institution for admission to the master’s programs
3.00 graduate point average in the last 60 hours of undergraduate and/or graduate course work

Applicant Checklist:

A complete online graduate application including the non-refundable application fee (25 for domestic applications/$125 for international applicants). Full details can be found at www.uh.edu/graduate-school/admissions/how-to-apply/.
Official transcripts from each college or university attended since high school sent to the UH Graduate School
3 letters of recommendation from those who are familiar with your work and educational preparation (part of the online application)
A statement of intent on interest in attending the Arts Leadership program (submitted with the online application)
A resume of academic and work experience (submitted with the online application)
International students have additional paperwork and/or testing requirements. Full information is found at www.uh.edu/graduate-school/admissions/international-students/.

Degree Requirements

Credit hours required for this degree: 36.0

The M.A. in Arts Leadership will provide advanced study in the management and promotion of arts organizations across artistic disciplines.

The degree requires 36 semester credit hours of coursework and internship. It consists of:

15 hours of required specialty courses, including some specific to the arts and others in areas of public administration and public sector business more generally
15 hours of electives
6 credit hours of internship in an arts organization or program, providing vital real-world experience to students

Core Curriculum

15 credit hours must be chosen from the following:

ARLD 6300 - Fundamentals & Strategic Planning for the Arts Credit Hours: 3.0
ARLD 6310 - Fundraising for the Arts Credit Hours: 3.0
ARLD 6315 - Public Relations & Marketing in the Arts Credit Hours: 3.0
ARLD 6320 - Financial Management for Arts Credit Hours: 3.0
ARLD 6395 - Selected Topics in Arts Leadership Credit Hours: 3.0
Topic(s):
- Leading the Turnaround
PUBL 6310 - Administrative Theory Credit Hours: 3.0
PUBL 6349 - Seminar in Non-Profit Management Credit Hours: 3.0

Electives

15 credit hours may be chosen from the following:

ARLD 6330 - Arts and Technology Credit Hours: 3.0
ARLD 6340 - Law and the Arts Credit Hours: 3.0
ARLD 6350 - Cutural Commerce: Business Models for Arts Entrepreneurship Credit Hours: 3.0
ARLD 6360 - Arts & Community Engagement Credit Hours: 3.0
ARLD 6395 - Selected Topics in Arts Leadership Credit Hours: 3.0
ARLD 6398 - Special Problems in Arts Leadership Credit Hours: 3.0
PUBL 6342 - Budgeting For Public Agencies Credit Hours: 3.0
PUBL 6350 - Public Management Credit Hours: 3.0
Students may also get permission to take an elective course from departments outside of the Arts Leadership Program.

Practicum

ARLD 6691 - Internship in Arts Organization Credit Hours: 6.0

Academic Policies

Practicum Requirements

All students will be required to complete a Practicum within an established, professional, arts organization in in the greater Houston area. The Practicum Program, provides the student with a meaningful and intensive on-the-job training experience in preparation for a leadership position while maintaining a student role, and provides the host organization with the opportunity to train and utilize future professionals in the non-profit and for-profit arts sector.

During the Practicum, the student is expected work 300 hours on the identified project in total. Time spent on the project should be divided however it works best for the student and the organization. Practicum projects can be completed at any time during the academic semesters of the MA Program or during the summer/winter breaks. A minimum of 15 core credit hours must be completed within the MA in Arts Leadership Program before the student undertakes the actual fieldwork, although the planning phase may begin earlier.