The Master of Arts degree in Arts, Cultural Management and Museum Studies is a multidisciplinary degree administered by the College of Arts and Letters that prepares students for leadership positions related to the management and advocacy of arts and cultural organizations or dimensions of an artistic and humanistic entrepreneurial career. Students will customize their program electives for deeper exposure to museum, artistic, and cultural management depending on their area of interest. While we see the arts in its broadest terms, our program involves many disciplines including those from the sciences, business, history, anthropology, and more.

In addition to meeting the requirements of the university and the College of Arts and Letters, students must meet the requirements specified below. As of Fall 2021, this degree has new requirements. If you began your Masters prior to Fall 2021, you should continue on the previous requirements (see your advisor for the details).

Requirements for the Master of Arts Degree in Arts, Cultural Management and Museum Studies

The Master of Arts degree in Arts, Cultural Management and Museum Studies is available under both Plan A (thesis) & Plan B (non-thesis). A total of 32 credits are required for the Plan B degree and 33 for Plan A.

Students must complete 32 credits (Plan B) and 33 credits (Plan A) from the following courses:

  1. All of the following courses (13 credits):

ACM 801 Introduction to Arts, Cultural and Museum Management (3)

ACM 861 Strategic Planning, Human Capital & Financial Management for Arts, Cultural & Museum Management (3)

ACM 865 Leadership Development for Arts, Cultural and Museum Management (3)

ACM 869 Policy and Advocacy for Arts, Cultural and Museum Management (3)

ACM 892 Arts, Cultural and Museum Management Seminar (1)

2. At least 16 credits from the following courses (16 credits):

ACM 862 Public Communications in Arts, Cultural and Museum Management (3)

ACM 863 Event Management and Design for Arts and Culture (3)

ACM 864 School and Community Education in Arts and Cultural Management (3)

ACM 866 Operations and Facilities Management in Arts and Cultural Management (3)

ACM 867 Development and Fundraising Theory and Practice for Arts, Cultural and Museum Management (3)

ACM 868 Non-Profit Law for Arts, Cultural and Museum Management (3)

ACM872 Professional Practicum in Arts & Cultural Management (3)

ACM 890 Independent Study (1-3)

ACM 891 Special Topics in Arts and Cultural Management (1-3)

CSUS 431 Interpretation and Visitor Information Systems (3)

CSUS 873 Culture, Communities, and Tourism (3)

MUSM 495 History Harvest (3)

MUSM 885 Fundamentals of Museum Studies (3)

MUSM 887 The Digital Museum (3)

MUSM 888 Curatorial Practices in Museums and Cultural Organizations (3)

MUSM 889 Museum Collections (3)

MUSM 890 Independent study (1-3)

MUSM 894 Exhibition Communication (3)

MUSM 895 Special Topics in Museum Studies (1-6)

MUSM 897 Practicum in Museum Studies

MUSM 898 Museum Visitor Studies (3)

MUSM 870 Practicum in Museum Studies (1-6)

*Other management-focused, nonprofit, arts and humanities courses may be substituted with the approval of the academic advisor.

Additional Requirements for Plan A (thesis):

  1. Complete at least 4 credits of ACM 899 Master’s Thesis Research
  2. Prepare an approved thesis proposal and pass an oral defense of the thesis.

Additional Requirements for Plan B

  1. Complete a minimum of 3 credits from the following:ACM 871 Internship in Arts and Cultural Management

ACM 872 Practicum in Arts and Cultural Management

MUSM 893 Museum Internship

2. Pass a final evaluation.

Graduate Guidance Committee Form