SMU's Master of Arts in arts and nonprofit leadership offers an interdisciplinary exploration of the nonprofit sector. It bridges artistic and mission-driven passions with essential business leadership skills to prepare students to excel in arts and nonprofit management.
SMU’s Master of Arts in arts and nonprofit leadership bridges artistic disciplines with essential business leadership skills to prepare students to excel in arts and nonprofit management.
This online, 30-credit-hour graduate degree program distinguishes itself through its interdisciplinary curriculum, which combines arts management, nonprofit leadership and business principles to provide students with a holistic understanding of the nonprofit sector.
Students are empowered with real-world applications of arts management and nonprofit leadership tactics combined with a curriculum tailored for working professionals interested in continuing their careers while acquiring knowledge and leadership skills for both the arts and broader, nonprofit contexts, including culture, heritage, humanitarian aid, education, advocacy and social impact.
Curriculum
The graduate program equips students with essential skills for leadership in the arts and nonprofit sectors. In the first year, students build a foundation in nonprofit leadership, financial management and data-driven decision making. The second year focuses on social entrepreneurship, governance, and hands-on experience through a capstone project, preparing students to address real-world challenges and lead transformative initiatives in the nonprofit world.
Career opportunities
Graduates of the Master of Arts in arts and nonprofit leadership are equipped for diverse leadership roles in the arts and nonprofit sectors, including executive director positions, program management, fundraising and community outreach. The program fills gaps in traditional arts education by providing expertise in strategic planning, marketing, financial management and legal issues, preparing graduates for a variety of career paths in nonprofit and arts management.
Arts Management Job Titles
Nonprofit Leadership Job Titles
Megan Heber
Professor in Arts Management and Nonprofit Leadership
Director, CCPA Graduate Programs
Director, Career Engagement and Community Outreach, MA/MBA, MMIAM
Corporate Communication and Public Affairs
Heber is currently the professor of practice in arts management and nonprofit leadership at SMU’s Division of Corporate Communication and Public Affairs (CCPA). In 2020, she was selected as a Business Council for the Arts Obelisk Award Winner for her extraordinary support of arts and culture in North Texas. She was also named as one of “30 Under 40” by her undergraduate alma mater, Rowan University.