Arts Leadership, MA

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 ($50 for domestic applications/$80 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 
• 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/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 Practicum in an arts organization or program, providing vital real-world experience to students

Academic Policies

• University of Houston Academic Policies  
• College 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.