Online MA/MBA in Arts Administration
Combine your passion for the arts with business leadership skills with the University of Cincinnati's online Master of Arts and Master of Business Administration program. With this dual-degree program, prepare yourself for leadership positions in the world of fine arts through a curriculum designed to build a solid business acumen for creatives.
Program Overview
What will the future of arts and culture look like, and how will you help shape it?
The University of Cincinnati's Master of Arts and Master of Business Administration in Arts Administration dual-degree program is designed for cultural visionaries to imagine and build what comes next.
Made possible thanks to a partnership between the Carl H. Lindner College of Business and the College-Conservatory of Music, students enrolled in this program will have the unique opportunity to learn from UC's world-renowned faculty while simultaneously gaining exposure to vibrant art and business communities around the country.
This dual-degree program brings together arts administration and business strategy to prepare experienced fine arts professionals to lead organizations, challenge existing models, and develop new possibilities in the field. Through a flexible, asynchronus learning experience, students will strengthen their business acumen while applying what they learn directly to the organizations, communities, and cultural ecosystems that they already serve.
This program isn't simply about preparing you for your next leadership position. It's about developing the knowledge, strategy, and imagination to shape the future of arts and culture.
Online MA/MBA in Arts Administration
High Quality Education
Students in the Online MA/MBA in Arts Administration program are preparing to shape what comes next.
Designed for cultural visionaries already working in arts, culture, and adjacent creative fields, the program combines advanced business knowledge with critical exploration of the forces shaping the future of these fields. Students will examine existing organizational and business models while developing the strategic, financial, and leadership capacity to reimagine them.
Throughout the program, students are encouraged to bring the challenges they are navigating in their own organizations, communities, and practices into the learning environment, making the curriculum immediately relevant to their work. Courses in the program will explore areas such as:
- Arts and cultural organizations, systems, and structures
- Leadership, philanthropy, and resource development
- Financial management and sustainable business models
- Emerging trends in arts marketing and audience engagement
- Cultural policy, politics, and advocacy
- Governance and leadership in arts and culture
These areas provide students with more than just the skills to manage arts organizations. They develop business acumen, strategic thinking, and expansive leadership needed to imagine new possibilities and help build the future of arts culture.
Flexibility
- 100% online instruction with annual in-person executive sessions
- Enroll in the spring, summer, or fall semesters
- Part-time offering allows for degree completion for working professionals
Support from Application through Graduation
At UC, you’ll have a full support team behind you:
Enrollment Services Advisor: Your go-to resource during the application process
Student Success Coordinator: Helping you prepare for classes and stay on track
Access to Resources: Access to university resources that will support you through your program including online learning expectations and resources, health and wellness resources, and academic support
Admission Requirements
Prerequisites
- A bachelor’s degree from a regionally or nationally accredited college/university.
- An overall 3.0 GPA (on a 4.0 scale) or higher from all previous undergraduate coursework.
- Proof of English proficiency if English is not the applicant’s native language.
Admission Materials
- Resume or CV.
- Transcripts.
- Visionary Statement.
- One letter of reference.
Complete the online application and submit the application fee.
Standard Application Fees:
- $65.00 for domestic applicants to most degree programs
- $70.00 for international applicants to most degree programs
- $20.00 for domestic applicants to Graduate Certificates
- $25.00 for international applicants to Graduate Certificates
- Application fees are waived for Summer 2026 applications submitted by March 1st, 2026
- Application fees are waived for Fall 2026 applications submitted by July 1st, 2026
- Fee waivers are automatically applied for applicants who:
- are currently serving in the US armed forces
- are veterans of the US armed forces
All applicants are required to upload unofficial transcripts during the application process, showing all undergraduate and graduate course work completed, including degrees granted and dates of conferral.
Official transcripts are not required until the student has received and accepted an offer of admission from the university. Once the offer has been confirmed, the student must submit official transcripts.
Students who have received degrees from the University of Cincinnati do not need to submit official paper copies of their UC transcripts.
Transcripts can be submitted electronically or by mail. To see if your transcript(s) can be ordered electronically, visit the links below and search for your previous school(s).
- Parchment
- Please select “University of Cincinnati – Main Campus” as the recipient of your transcript.
- National Student Clearinghouse
- Please have your transcript sent directly to admissions@uc.edu.
If you do not see your past school(s) listed on either site, please contact the school(s) directly. Then, mail your sealed, unopened, official transcripts to:
Please mail sealed, unopened, official transcripts to:
University of Cincinnati
Office of Admissions
PO Box 210091
Cincinnati, Ohio 45221-0091
Transfer Credits for Advanced Standing
Up to 12 of graduate credits may be transferred. Talk to your enrollment advisor to discuss specifics and how to start the petition process.
Current resume or curriculum vitae.
Two letters of reference from individuals who know you professionally or academically.
Applicants will need to provide a letter detailing their interest in the program and how it may match future professional goals.
Applicants with an undergraduate GPA below 3.0 will need to receive a score of 297 or higher on their GRE or request for a GRE waiver.
For International students, an English proficiency test:
- TOEFL minimum Internet-based 80
- Paper-based 520
- Computer-based 190
- IELTS minimum 6.5
Application Deadlines
| Term | Application Deadline | Classes Start |
|---|---|---|
| TBD | TBD | TBD |
Tuition and Fees
The University of Cincinnati's online programs allow students to pursue degrees without having to quit their jobs. Our online courses offer the same quality education found on campus in a modern format that fits students’ tight budgets and busy schedules.
The University of Cincinnati's online course fees differ depending on the program.
To view tuition information and program costs, visit the Online Program Fees page.
Ready to get started?
We offer over 130 degrees from undergraduate to doctoral programs. Each program is supported by a team of Enrollment Services Advisors (ESAs) who are here to help answer any questions you have.