Master of Arts in Art Administration
48-credit program beginning in Fall 2021
Our innovative, two-year, 48-credit master’s degree is informed by both research and professional practice. Our program welcomes students training to work in all artistic traditions and aesthetic styles, in for the for- and non-profit sectors, both in the U.S. and abroad.
The core curriculum represents a unique alliance among the faculties of Teachers College and Columbia’s Graduate School of Business, an access to diverse academic offerings across Columbia’s many graduate programs and schools. Included in the core requirements are training in cultural data and analysis, policy, fundraising, DEIA (diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility), accounting, financial planning, marketing, entrepreneurship, labor relations, contracts, and copyright law. Please note: tuition rates may vary for non-TC courses, depending on the offering school. Each student is evaluated in the first year to ensure that satisfactory progress is maintained.
Program Objectives
- to provide theoretical and practical preparation for students whose professional objective is a career in arts administration;
- to equip the next generation of leaders in the culture sector with an awareness of the most pressing issues in contemporary arts worlds;
- to raise the standards of arts administration to a new level of social responsibility;
- to build expertise and literacy in data-driven approaches to arts management;
- to promote collaborations among professionals working across various fields and genres of the arts;
- to strengthen advocacy roles for artists;
- to broaden the managerial capacity of arts educators by providing them administrative tools and experience.
Admission Information
Displaying requirements for the Spring 2025, Summer 2025, and Fall 2025 terms.
Master of Arts
- Points/Credits: 48
- Entry Terms: Fall
- Enrollment Formats: Full-Time Campus-Based
Application Deadlines
| Entry Term Available | Priority Deadlines | Final Deadlines | Extended Deadlines |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Summer | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Fall | January 15, 2025 | January 15, 2025 | N/A |
Select programs remain open beyond our standard application deadlines, such as those with an extended deadline or those that are rolling (open until June or July). If your program is rolling or has an extended deadline indicated above, applications are reviewed as they are received and on a space-available basis. We recommend you complete your application as soon as possible as these programs can close earlier if full capacity has been met.
Application Requirements
| Requirement | |
|---|---|
| Online Degree Application, including Statement of Purpose and Resume | |
| Transcripts and/or Course-by-Course Evaluations for all Undergraduate/Graduate Coursework Completed | |
| Results from an accepted English Proficiency Exam (if applicable) | |
| $75 Application Fee | |
| Two (2) Letters of Recommendation | |
| Video essay required for all non-native English speakers (included in online application) | |
| Strong written and verbal communication skills in English |
For admission-related inquiries, please contact AHadmission@tc.columbia.edu.
Additional Degree Information
Course requirements - Fall 2021-Spring 2022
- Financial Accounting (at the Columbia Business School)
- Capstone Seminar in Arts Administration
- Contemporary Issues in Arts Administration
- Cultural Data and Analysis
- Entrepreneurship in the Arts
- Fundraising
- History and Theory of Arts Administration
- Internship in Arts Administration
- Law and the Arts
- Marketing for the Arts, Entertainment and Culture
- Practicum in Arts Administration
Requirements from the TC Catalog (AY 2024-2025)
Displaying catalog information for the Fall 2024, Spring 2025 and Summer 2025 terms.
The M.A. degree consists of 48 points of coursework:
The 48 required points are comprised of: 30 points taken from the core program offerings, which includes 3 points of coursework through the Columbia University Business School, 1 point for the Practicum, 2 points for an internship, and 3 points for the capstone thesis or project; 6 points of Arts Administration Program (ARAD) electives; 6 points of coursework outside of the Arts Administration Program to fulfill the breadth requirement through Teachers College courses; and 6 points taken as electives at Teachers College or Columbia University.
The core curriculum represents a unique alliance among the faculties of Teachers College and Columbia’s Graduate School of Business, and access to diverse academic offerings across Columbia’s many graduate programs and schools. Included in the core requirements are training in cultural data and analysis, policy, fundraising, DEIA (diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility), accounting, financial planning, marketing, entrepreneurship, labor relations, contracts, and copyright law. Each student is evaluated in the first year to ensure that satisfactory progress is maintained. Please note: tuition rates may vary for non-TC courses, depending on the offering school.