The Master of Arts in Arts Administration curriculum requires a total of forty-three credits for graduation. Of these, thirty-one credits are earned through required courses, six credits through elective courses, and an additional six credits through the independent study and major paper.

On-Campus Residency

Students accepted into the program will attend  three two-week summer residencies at Goucher in late July/early August.   During the first summer, new students will meet with the program director to plan their preliminary course of study. They will also take AAD 601, Principles of Arts Administration, during their time on campus. In addition, students will meet with the faculty for the other courses they will be taking online during the academic year. Training in the use of technology for distance learning will be provided. 

During each subsequent summer residency, students will meet with the program director to refine their course of study and to develop plans for their independent study and major paper. In subsequent summers, second-year students start AAD 617, Public Policy for the Arts, and during the third-year AAD 627, International Arts Policy. Students return to campus briefly in a fourth summer to participate in Commencement.

Off-Campus Requirements

Faculty maintain regular contact with students throughout the semester. Most classes are held live. Additionally, there may be individual discussions by e-mail, phone, or online conferencing. Typically, regular communication between faculty and students will be weekly. 

Students are responsible for maintaining contact with instructors and with program administration during the semester.  E-mail will be the preferred method of contact, and instructors assume that students check e-mail daily.  Some courses listed as fall offerings begin during the summer residencies, as explained above.  All other courses are designed to be completed during the 14-week fall or spring semester. Students will be provided with a detailed syllabus and lesson plan for each course. 

Students can expect each course to require an average of 6-7 hours weekly in required reading, writing, and research assignments. Most online courses include weekly meetings at a time set by each instructor based on students' schedules. These meetings take place during the evenings.