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Online MS in Arts Administration
Classes Begin: September 21, 20262 years
Fully Online
45
Make valuable industry connections in the arts world
As the art and museum world continues to grow in scope and vibrancy, there’s a need for professionals who understand the modern landscape and can ensure that their organization thrives. Drexel University’s online Master's in Arts Administration combines business knowledge and an entrepreneurial spirit with art administration to make you career-ready and give you an edge in a competitive job market. The program is ideal for those looking to stand out in the job market and advance to the next stage of their career.
What is a Master’s in Arts Administration?
A Master’s in Arts Administration equips you with the management practices, theory and hands-on experience that are essential for leadership positions in the arts and culture sector. At Drexel University, our goal is to help you emerge from the program workforce-ready. You can expect to take courses that are immediately applicable to your work, in areas such as:
- Management techniques
- Technology tools
- Legal and ethical issues
- Financial accounting
- Marketing and engagement
What Can You Do with an Online MS in Arts Administration?
Careers in the arts administration fields require a specific set of skills that are unique to these industries. Drexel’s program is designed to explore all aspects of both, preparing you for roles in marketing, collections and general management, development, community outreach, board relations, education and more. For those with an entrepreneurial spirit, the program will also provide you with the skills to start and run your own enterprise.
Graduates of Drexel’s Arts Administration Master's Online programs have gone on to work in roles such as:
- President and CEO of the American Theatre Wing
- Artistic Director and CEO of Ballet Vero Beach
- Senior Director of Cultural Affairs at Montgomery County Community College
- Program Director at the NJ State Council of the Arts
- Development Coordinator for Donor Relations at the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum
- Executive Assistant at Grounds for Sculpture
- Director of Production at Philadelphia Ballet
FIVE REASONS YOU SHOULD EARN AN MS IN ARTS ADMINISTRATION
Philadelphia is a vast hotspot for arts and cultural organizations — which means not only is there a high demand for visionaries, but a chance to do something with your passion for arts, culture, and museums. Hear from Pamela Yau, assistant teaching professor and program director of Drexel’s MS in Arts Administration program as she defines this field and how you can not only preserve the arts but contribute to the industry.
Drexel Program Alliances
The Drexel Arts Administration Graduate Program is a proud member of various organizations, including the American Alliance of Museums, the Association of Arts Administration Educators, the Greater Philadelphia Cultural Alliance, and Americans for the Arts. The program regularly participates in national research projects, including the National and Local Profiles of Cultural Support project administered by Americans for the Arts and funded by The Pew Charitable Trusts.
In addition, the Arts Administration program has close ties with the Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University, the Leonard Pearlstein Gallery and the Robert and Penny Fox Historic Costume Collection.
Members of Americans for the Arts, National Guild for Community Arts Education, and other partner organizations receive a 20% tuition savings on the online MS in Arts Administration program.
Non-Matriculated Option
Interested in applying as a non-matriculated student? Select "Non-Matriculated – College of Media Arts & Design (Online)" as your program of interest on the online application. Official transcripts are required. Non-matriculated students are not eligible for financial aid.
Drexel's 10,000 Hours Podcast: The Art of the Podcast
Drexel professor Derek Gillman’s resume is basically a tour through some of the world’s greatest museums. Here, he tells us about his favorite art in Philly, and how museums are changing to keep up with the times.
Related Programs
Drexel University offers a variety of Graduate Minors that can be added to any master's degree program.
State restrictions may apply to some programs.
Courses
This program is organized into four 10-week quarters per year (as opposed to the traditional two semester system) which means you can take more courses in a shorter time period. One semester credit is equivalent to 1.5 quarter credits.
| Major Requirements | ||
| AADM 500 | Foundations of Cultural Practice | 3.0 |
| AADM 600 | Community Cultural Engagement | 3.0 |
| AADM 698 | Capstone Development | 6.0 |
| AADM 785 | Research Design in the Arts | 3.0 |
| AAML 525 | Legal and Ethical Issues in Arts and Culture | 3.0 |
| AAML 550 | Management Techniques in Arts and Cultural Organizations | 3.0 |
| AAML 560 | Marketing & Engagement in Arts and Cultural Orgs. | 3.0 |
| AAML 575 | Revenue Development in Arts and Cultural Orgs. | 3.0 |
| AAML 610 | Financial Accounting in Arts and Cultural Orgs. | 3.0 |
| AAML 680 | Leadership, Strategy & Planning in Arts and Cult. | 3.0 |
| Electives | ||
| Select four of the following: | 12.0 | |
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AADM 660
|
Advancing Cultural Policy | |
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AADM 690
|
Equitable Cultural Practices | |
|
AADM 741
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Arts Entrepreneurship | |
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AADM 752
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Performing Arts Management | |
|
AADM 757
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Political Activism in the Arts | |
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AADM T580
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Special Topics in Arts Administration | |
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AADM T680
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Special Topics in Arts Administration | |
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MUSL 500
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Museum History and Theory | |
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MUSL 530
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Museum Practice | |
|
MUSL 630
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Exhibitions and Programming | |
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MUSL 690
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Culturally Responsive Organizations | |
|
MUSL 710
|
Bricks and Mortar | |
| Total Credits | 45.0 | |
Admissions Criteria
- A bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution
- Undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher (graduate degree GPA's will be considered along with the undergraduate GPA)
- Preparation must include at least one undergraduate level course in financial accounting, two courses in any field related to arts and culture or museum practice, and/or two years’ professional or board level experience with an arts and cultural enterprise. If you haven't taken the required accounting course, you must complete it during the first two terms of the program.
Required Documents
With multiple ways to submit documents, Drexel makes it easy to complete your application. Learn more by visiting our Completing Your Application Guide.
- A completed application
- Official transcripts from all universities or colleges and other post-secondary educational institutions (including trade schools) attended
- Two professional letters of recommendation
- Essay (minimum 500 words) that will give the admissions committee a better understanding of:
- What led you to the field of arts administration or to the museum sector?
- How the program will meet your current and future professional development goals
- Resume demonstrating a strong affinity for the arts, cultural and creative sector through work, volunteer experiences, education, or special training
- Additional requirements for International Students
You may transfer up to 15 credits from previous graduate studies into the program (credits must be approved by the program director and all transfer credits must be at the graduate level).
Tuition
The tuition rate for the academic year 2025-2026 is $1190 per credit.
For the academic year 2025-2026, students enrolled in an online graduate academic program will be charged a graduate online program fee of $125 per year.
- This program is eligible for Financial Aid.
- Special tuition rates available for Drexel University Alumni, Military members, and members of our Partner Organizations.
- These rates apply only to new online students and students being readmitted. Tuition savings do not apply to hybrid or on-campus courses (excluding residency.)
- All students must contact applyDUonline@drexel.edu within the first two weeks of the term to request tuition savings for which they qualify.
- Special rates cannot be combined. If you qualify for more than one special rate, you'll be given the one with the largest savings.
- When receiving special tuition plans, you may not be able to combine them with other tuition benefits that may be available from Drexel University.
Program Director
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Pamela Yau |
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Pamela Yau is an arts administration educator, producer, and publicist. She has taught in the graduate arts administration programs at Columbia University's Teachers College and Drexel University. A native Philadelphian, Pamela has previously served as the Special Projects Coordinator for the City of Philadelphia's Office of Arts, Culture, and the Creative Economy, where she produced and programmed special events and performances for the City including Philly Celebrates Jazz, Philadelphia's celebration of Jazz Appreciation Month and the Culture in the Courtyard performance series at Philadelphia City Hall. She was also responsible for leading the public relations and marketing efforts of the Office. Pamela has worked extensively with arts organizations and artists across the cultural sector to create and implement tailored digital and social media public relations and marketing campaigns and strategies. Her approach to digital marketing of the arts includes the two-fold objective of reaching target audiences and increasing public engagement. Pamela has been honored by Billy Penn as a part of "Who’s Next Communications" as an up-and-coming communications leader in Philadelphia. |
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Academic Calendar
2025-2026 Academic Year
Term
Classes Begin
Classes End
Exams Begin
Exams End
Fall 2025
September 22, 2025
December 6, 2025
December 8, 2025
December 13, 2025
Winter 2026
January 5, 2026
March 14, 2026
March 16, 2026
March 21, 2026
Spring 2026
March 30, 2026
June 6, 2026
June 8, 2026
June 13, 2026
Summer 2026
June 22, 2026
August 29, 2026
August 31, 2026
September 5, 2026
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