Overview

The dynamic of the arts world is constantly evolving, resulting in a growing need for highly skilled administrators who can work effectively with elected officials, business and community leaders, and fellow arts professionals.

The Master of Science in Arts Administration program at Boston University emphasizes excellence, creativity, economic problem solving, internationalism, and a commitment to the new technologies of our age. We are particularly concerned with helping arts organizations successfully achieve their missions. It is toward such an end that we sustain a deep conviction in the centrality of the role of the artist and in the fundamental importance of artistic excellence as issues central to the health of all arts organizations in the twenty-first century.

We offer a flexible schedule to accommodate students who are working or who have other responsibilities that prevent traditional full-time study. All coursework can be completed on a part-time, evening basis in approximately two calendar years. Students may also pursue their degree via full-time study.

Our faculty, comprising both national and international arts practitioners, emphasizes an interdisciplinary curriculum and encourages collaboration between students from both visual and performing arts backgrounds. Students in the program are able to consult and network with a wide range of companies and nonprofit organizations operating within the art world. The program also emphasizes a global perspective through our international travel study courses, which enable students to engage with world-renowned cultural leaders, museums, arts organizations, and artists.

Learning Outcomes

Advanced knowledge of the history of arts organizations in the nonprofit, public, and private sectors in the US.

Advanced knowledge of the structure and institutional behavior of arts organizations in the nonprofit, public, and private sectors in the US.

Understanding of international cultural policy in a global context.

Proficiency with a sophisticated skillset emphasizing best practices with regard to fundraising and financial management.

Understanding of best practices regarding setting goals in both mission- and revenue-driven organizations.

The ability to identify, interpret, and apply relevant legal regulations in nonprofit and for-profit arts organizational settings.

The ability to develop, implement, and assess the effectiveness of marketing programs in arts organization settings.

The ability to develop, maintain, and leverage funding and constituent relationships to increase community engagement in the arts.

The ability to take a strategic approach to their personal development, networking, and self-marketing for professional advancement within the field of arts administration and/or nonprofit management.

Programme Structure

Courses include:

Art Leaders Forum

Raising Funds and Grant Writing for Nonprofit Organizations

Comparative Cultural Policy and Administration

The Arts in Barcelona

Capital Campaigns
Art History

Key information

Duration

Full-time
- 12 months

Start dates & application deadlines

Starting 2026-07-01 00:00:00
- Apply before 2026-06-01 00:00:00
Starting 2026-09-02 00:00:00
- Apply before 2026-08-01 00:00:00 , National
- Apply before 2026-06-01 00:00:00 , International

Language

English

Duolingo English Test

125

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IELTS

6.5

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Credits

40 SCH

Delivered

On Campus

Campus Location

Boston, United States

Disciplines

Project Management Visual Arts Management Studies View 434 other Masters in Visual Arts in United States

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Academic requirements

GRE^®

Required

GMAT

Required

English requirements

Duolingo English Test

125

Take A Free Practice Test!

TOEFL^® IBT

Schedule TOEFL®

IELTS

6.5

Prepare for Your English Test

Cathoven AI IELTS Preparation

Learn your IELTS Score

AI-powered IELTS feedback. Clear, actionable, and tailored to boost your writing & speaking score. No credit card or upfront payment required.

Trusted by 300k learners
98 accuracy using real exam data
4.9/5 student rating

Other requirements

General requirements

National

A completed Application for Graduate Admission

Three letters of recommendation

You must supply the name and email address of your recommenders in order to submit your application

A personal statement (short essay discussing your motivation for study)

A current résumé

Transcript(s) from each college and graduate school attended

A nonrefundable application fee of $85

International

International Student Data Form

Authorized financial statement from a bank (original, shown in U.S. dollars)

Copy of current I-20 and I-94, both sides (if applicable)

Letter of financial support from a sponsor (firm, government, parents, etc.)

Notarized English translations of all documents not in English

Tuition Fees

Tuition fees are shown in and the most likely applicable fee is shown based on your nationality.

International Applies to you

Applies to you

Non-residents

66670 USD / year

≈ 66670 USD / year
Out-of-State

66670 USD / year

≈ 66670 USD / year
Domestic

Applies to you

In-State

66670 USD / year

≈ 66670 USD / year

Living costs

Boston

United States

1560 - 3239 USD / month

The living costs include the total expenses per month, covering accommodation, public transportation, utilities (electricity, internet), books and groceries.

Financing

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Funding

Win a €10000 Scholarship! Deadline: 30 June 2020

Embark on your journey with the Studyportals Scholarship! We're giving away a total of 20,000 euros to help you achieve your dream of studying abroad.

Win a €10000 Scholarship! Deadline: 30 June 2020

Embark on your journey with the Studyportals Scholarship! We're giving away a total of 20,000 euros to help you achieve your dream of studying abroad.

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Scholarships Information

Below you will find Master's scholarship opportunities for Arts Administration.

Available Scholarships

You are eligible to apply for these scholarships but a selection process will still be applied by the provider.

On this page

About

Overview

Learning Outcomes

Programme Structure

Key information

Duration

Start dates & application deadlines

Language

Prepare for Your English Test

Credits

Delivered

Campus Location

Disciplines

What students do after studying

Academic requirements

English requirements

Prepare for Your English Test

Other requirements

General requirements

Tuition Fees

International Applies to you

Domestic

Living costs

Boston

Financing

Funding

Scholarships Information

Available Scholarships

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