The Master of Science (M.S.) in Arts Administration is an independent degree program within Boston University's Metropolitan College. However we do share some courses and faculty with the graduate Administrative Studies degree program. General information and policies for Metropolitan College, as well as course descriptions for Administrative Studies courses, can be found in the Metropolitan College Bulletin. The program also emphasizes an interdisciplinary curriculum and we are committed to placing students from both the performing arts and the visual arts in many courses together. There is also the opportunity to specialize by taking courses specifically within certain discipline-based areas. The curriculum is largely focused on the nonprofit area, but it is also possible to substitute a limited number of courses with a commercial (for profit) orientation.

Arts Administration courses are taught largely by adjunct faculty who are working professionals in the Boston area. These faculty, have, on average, well over ten years of high level professional experience in the arts.

Electives
If the internship is waived students must take a tenth classroom based course. Students are encouraged to use their elective to broaden their understanding of arts administration. Elective credit may be taken from other departments within the University, after approval from the student's advisor. Of particular interest may be courses such as Curatorship, or Museums and Historical Agencies, offered by the Department of Art History (Museum Studies) in the graduate division of the College of Arts and Sciences.

Internship
Students matriculating in the Arts Administration concentration are required to have some direct work experience in arts organizations prior to degree conferral. A minimum of six of the ten required courses must be completed before the student undertakes the actual fieldwork, although the planning phase may begin earlier. The program maintains a formal relationship with a core group of potential host organizations that have been selected for their willingness to work with interns, although it is possible to intern with other organizations as well. The student is expected to complete a total of 150 hours of work with the host agency, generally within a single semester. Students with four or more years of professional arts organization work experience may waive the internship requirement with the program director's written consent. Inquire about the waiver procedure.

Academic Standing
All students in the Arts Administration program must maintain a grade point average of at least 3.0 to remain in good standing and to graduate. No grade below B- in any course may be applied towards the degree. Students with a grade point average below 3.0 will be placed on academic probation and must achieve a cumulative 3.0 by the completion of the following semester or be subject to dismissal.  Students who are placed on academic probation for two consecutive semesters are also subject to dismissal.

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