Arts Leadership

The Arts Leadership Certificate is intended for graduate students, currently enrolled in a graduate degree program at Virginia Tech, and local professional interested in learning skills and gaining knowledge in arts management.

How to apply: Contact Dr. Amanda Nelson via email amandajnelson@vt.edu. The online application to participate in the certificate program may be found here.

Graduate Certificate in Arts Leadership

For admission to a graduate degree program, the Graduate School requires:

·       Completion of a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution

·       GPA of 3.0 or better for the last half of the credits earned for the undergraduate degree

·       Submission of official transcripts

·       International applicants must submit scores from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) with a minimum of 550 paper-based (PBT) or 90 internet-based test (iBT), or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) with a minimum score of 6.5

To earn a graduate certificate along with a degree:

·       Students must submit a Graduate Certificate Application

·       Students are classified within their degree program

·       Up to 50% of the certificate credits may be used to meet degree requirements if they are appropriate for inclusion on the degree Plan of Study. 

Non-degree seeking applicants

Persons who wish to enter Virginia Tech to obtain a graduate certificate without being enrolled in a degree program may apply for admission to Graduate Certificate status as follows:

·       Submit an Application for Admission and a Graduate Certificate Application

·       Completion of a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution

·       GPA of 3.0 for the last half of the credits earned for the undergraduate degree

·       Submit official transcripts

·       Possess an academic background appropriate for the Certificate

·       International applicants must submit scores from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) with a minimum of 550 paper-based (PBT) or 90 internet-based test (iBT), or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) with a minimum score of 6.5

Graduate Certificate in Arts Leadership Courses

Students will also select three electives from those listed below which cover a range of specialized topics in arts management, including financial management for the arts, arts marketing, development (fundraising), and human resources in the arts.

 Topics courses are not sequential, and students may take elective courses prior to fulfilling the core course requirement.

Course Options

TA 5614 Topics in Arts Leadership I (3credits; may be repeated for credit with different content)
Topic-centered investigation in arts management, leadership, or advocacy.

TA 5624 Topics in Arts Leadership II (3 credits; may be repeated for credit with different content)
Topic-centered investigation in specialized areas of arts management: arts marketing, development (fundraising), or grant writing.

TA 5634 Topics in Arts Leadership III (3 credits; may be repeated for credit with different content)
Topic-centered investigation in various areas of advanced arts management: human resources, financial management, or strategic management.

UAP 5574 Arts, Culture, and Society (3 credits)
Considers the role of the arts in society, including architecture, music companies, or theatre productions to heritage sites, science museums, and art galleries.