MA / MBA

  • Overview

    You need more than a deep appreciation for the arts to succeed in arts and nonprofit world. Today more than ever, the arts and nonprofit organizations face a changing environment that presents both unprecedented opportunities and increased financial and competitive pressures, reinforcing the need for skilled and resourceful administrators, managers, and leaders.

    That's why the Meadows School for the Arts and the Cox School of Business have teamed up to provide you with the nation's only two-year joint degree that can be done either full-time or part-time. The curriculum combines courses in business, arts and nonprofit leadership, as well as internships and intensive experiences with arts and nonprofit organizations and their particular challenges.

    As a graduate, you’ll be set for a leadership role in any art, entertainment, education or nonprofit organization worldwide.

    See the SMU Cox Full-Time Two-Year MBA Program

    See the SMU Cox (part-time) Professional MBA program

    See the SMU Meadows MA Program

  • Curriculum

    A dynamic mix of rigorous classroom study and hands-on learning, the SMU MA/MBA prepares you to think like an executive and make data driven decisions. You'll take classes from an award-winning faculty at both the Meadows and Cox Schools, and apply what you've learned with internships at some the country's most well respected cultural and nonprofit organizations. And during your second year, you'll have the option to study a semester abroad at Milan's Bocconi University.

    Review the full curriculum here



  • Admissions

    The SMU MA/MBA degree has one application that can be accessed via the Two-Year MBA or Professional MBA applications – choose “Master of Arts & Nonprofit Leadership/MBA” in the Joint Degree Program Selection field. We're very happy to answer any questions regarding the MBA degree, and you can contact the MBA Admissions office with any questions specific to our timeline or process. Please note that, for admission, the Cox School of Business is test-optional for the GRE or GMAT.

    For more information, visit the Meadows School website


  • Meet the MBA Faculty

Next Steps

Questions? Not sure which program fits your needs? Reach out to our team.