Students learn the techniques needed to analyze and develop arts policy as well as skills in grant and research report writing and review. In addition to course work and an internship, students are required to complete a master's degree project or thesis that demonstrates in-depth knowledge of practical or theoretical issues of importance to professionals in public and private arts organizations from diverse social and cultural settings. Projects focus on issues that were explored during the student's internship. A personal computer facilitates work in software applications and research for courses. Minimum recommendations for hardware and software are included in the application and on the program's web site.
Course work for the master's degree program is distributed among the following four components.
Core Courses Core courses address the study and management of the arts in social and cultural contexts with a focus on arts policy and information management. Nonprofit and for-profit organizations and issues are addressed. Area of Concentration Selection of a concentration area allows students to pursue study that contributes to specific professional goals. A curricular plan is developed with an adviser during the first term of graduate study. Required courses in research methodology and professional practice prepare students for the summer internship and for writing the project paper or thesis.