Dec 10, 2024  
2020-2021 Graduate Catalog 
    
2020-2021 Graduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Arts Management/Business Administration, M.A./M.B.A.


As arts organizations today face a changing environment that presents both unprecedented opportunities and increased financial and competitive pressures, there is a need for skilled and resourceful administrators, managers and leaders in the arts. The SMU M.A./M.B.A. program in business and arts administration is designed to address this need. It is based on the philosophy that a successful career in arts management requires a thorough knowledge of contemporary business practices coupled with both a deep understanding of the arts and the ability to recognize and seize opportunities. Global exchange opportunities provide students exposure to the world’s diversity of arts models, trends and challenges. Students gain an international perspective through exchange opportunities and partnerships.

The SMU Meadows School of the Arts, in conjunction with the Cox School of Business, offers to a limited number of highly qualified candidates the nation’s only concurrent dual degree graduate program in arts management. Through the Division of Arts Management and Arts Entrepreneurship, the M.A./M.B.A. program combines development of contemporary general-management skills with in-depth study of today’s professional arts world.

The program is five successive terms, including summer. The curricula include instruction from distinguished arts and business professors, continuing seminars with nationally recognized arts administrators, and study abroad and internship components. During the first year, students take arts management seminars and the core required business curriculum, the basis on which to build for the variety of elective courses scheduled during mornings, afternoons and evenings of the second year. During the summer between the first and second year, students intern full time with a professional arts organization. In the first term of the second year, students study abroad at Bocconi University in Milan, Italy. Seminars and practica (part-time internships) in the arts tailored to the individual student’s background, experience and career goals round out the education. The division office also assists graduates in their career objectives through guidance and assistance with their placement.

Admission

The Admissions Committee seeks candidates who demonstrate outstanding academic achievement and potential, leadership qualities, and management potential. To assess these characteristics, the committee will look to the following elements to help identify a candidate’s potential to succeed in the program: test scores (GMAT management/business graduate school admission test or GRE graduate school admission test required for all applicants; TOEFL or PTE English language proficiency test also required for international applicants), previous academic records, references who can speak to the candidate’s professional performance and self-evaluation essays. (If a candidate has not earned a baccalaureate degree in an arts field, a degree in another field combined with significant academic, professional or personal experience in the arts is acceptable.) Personal interviews are conducted at the request of the Admissions Committee after a complete application has been received. Merit-based scholarships are available on a limited basis.

The applications for study in the M.A./M.B.A. program are accepted only for fall admission. Students must be accepted by both the Meadows arts management program and the Cox School of Business; however, candidates submit only the Cox M.B.A. online application and select M.A./M.B.A. as the degree choice. Students who matriculate into the M.A./M.B.A. dual program are required to complete concurrently both the M.A. and the M.B.A. requirements in order to graduate. Students cannot drop either part of the dual degree program nor fail to maintain a 3.000 GPA in each school independently as well as cumulatively.

For more information from the Meadows School of the Arts, students should visit www.smu.edu/Meadows/AreasOfStudy/ArtsManagement or email amaemeadows.smu.edu. Information is also available from the Cox School of Business (www.coxmba.com); email mbainfo@cox.smu.edu.

Degree Requirements


This 75-hour program requires 48 hours of business courses and 27 hours of arts administration courses. Cox School of Business courses are organized into modules.

Year 1


Fall Term


Spring Term


Module A and B Courses


  • Business electives: one course (2 Credit Hours)

Term Total: 18 Credit Hours


Note: MNGT 6020  is a requirement of the M.A./M.B.A. program. The successful completion of this degree requirement earns a grade of P (Pass). Students participate in various required activities to enhance professional development. These sessions will take place most Fridays during the first year of the M.B.A. program.

Term Total: 3 Credit Hours


Year 2


Fall Term


International Study


Courses at Bocconi University in Milan, Italy

  • Arts management electives: four courses (12 Credit Hours)
  • Business electives: 2 courses (4 Credit Hours)

Term Total: 16 Credit Hours


Spring Term


Module A and B Courses:


  • Business electives: seven courses (14 Credit Hours)

Term Total: 18 Credit Hours


Cox Credit Hours Summary for M.A./Full-Time M.B.A. Program


30 credit hours of required Cox courses
20 credit hours of elective Cox courses

50 credit hours total from Cox toward M.A./M.B.A. degree

Note: For the 20 credit hours of elective courses, students complete one concentration. Each concentration requires 12–16 specific credit hours.

Credit Hours Summary by School


Year Meadows Arts Cox Business
1 11 32
2 16 18
Total 27 50