Master of Arts in the USA is a 1 2- years program with tuition fees ranging from $ 14000 to $ 100,000 for the complete course.
Different universities, institutions, or schools specializing in arts offer the program. The program graduates are hired by museums, private art collectors, etc., as managers, curator, fundraisers, etc.
Graduates can also find teaching jobs in high schools and colleges.
Master of Arts in the USA has different specialization tracks. The average salary of graduates of MA in Art Administration, Art History, and Art Management are $ 52,000, $ 61,000, and $ 57,000 a year, respectively.
Why choose the USA for a Master of Arts?
The following statements dictate the reasons for choosing the USA for a Master of Arts:
- Extensive focus on research
- Strong alumni network helping in starting the careers of the new graduates
- Several opportunities of learning from professionals and researchers of arts
- Massive scope in museums, private collections management, research, etc.
- Different specialization tracks are available to choose from.
- The USA is the home of several largest museums worldwide, with substantial art collections.
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Top Universities in the USA for Master of Arts
A master of arts degree in the USA is offered to focus on different aspects of arts. These include art administration, history, modern art, museum studies, etc.
Universities offer the program with an art department, schools, or institutions specializing in art-related education.
Universities |
Program |
New York University |
MA in Visual Arts Administration |
Tufts University |
MA in Art History and Museum Studies |
The New School |
Art Management and Entrepreneurship (MA) |
Seattle University |
Master of Fine Arts in Art Leadership (MFAL) |
Kent State University |
Art History - M.A. |
Emerson College |
MA in Media Design |
The University of Texas at Dallas |
Master of Arts in Art History |
School of The Art Institute of Chicago |
Master of Arts in Modern and Contemporary Art History |
State University of New York Buffalo |
MA in Arts Management |
Baruch College Weissman |
MA Program In Arts Administration |
Minnesota State University |
MA Art |
Heritage Christian University |
Master of Arts |
Moore College of Art and Design |
MA In Socially Engaged Art |
Clarks Summit University |
Master of Arts |
San Francisco Art Institute |
Master of Arts in Art, Place + Public Studies, History + Theory of Contemporary Art, or Exhibition + Museum Studies |
Goucher College |
Master of Arts - Arts Administration |
Tuition fees for Master of Arts in the USA
Tuition fee and course duration for the Master of Arts program offered by different US universities:
Universities |
Duration |
Tuition fee(Total course) |
New York University |
1.5 – 2 years |
$ 99,042 |
Tufts University |
2 years |
$ 54,196 |
The New School |
2 years |
$ 61,560 |
Seattle University |
2 years |
$ 34,992 |
Kent State University |
2 years |
$ 87,808 |
Emerson College |
1 or 2 years |
$ 42,304 |
The University of Texas at Dallas |
16 months |
$ 60,304 |
School of The Art Institute of Chicago |
2 years |
$ 64,728 |
State University of New York Buffalo |
2 years |
$ 37,557 |
Baruch College Weissman |
1.5 – 2 years |
$ 39,600 |
Minnesota State University |
2 years |
$ 15,873 |
Moore College of Art and Design |
1 year |
$ 47,807 |
Clarks Summit University |
1 year |
$ 14,250 |
San Francisco Art Institute |
2 years |
$ 73,050 |
Goucher College |
2-4 years |
$ 45,000 |
Master of Arts in USA: Entry Requirements
New York University
- A 4 years bachelor's degree with a course-by-course evaluation of the degree
- TOEFL score of 100, or IELTS score of 7.0, or a PTE score of 68 required for proof of English language
Tufts University
- Transcripts of previous learnings
- A TOEFL score of 90 or an IELTS score of 6.5 is required for proof of English language proficiency if applicable
The New School
- A bachelor’s degree equivalent to a 4-year bachelor's degree in the USA
- TOEFL score of 100, or IELTS score of 7.0, or a PTE score of 65 required for proof of English language proficiency
Seattle University
- Transcripts of a bachelor's degree in the English language
- TOEFL score of 86 or IELTS score of 6.5, or PTE score of 63 required for proof of English language proficiency
Kent State University
- A bachelor's degree with an art history background and a GPA of at least 2.75 for conditional admission or 3.0 for unconditional admission
- For proof of English language proficiency, any of the following test scores can be submitted
o TOEFL score of a minimum of 79 overall
o IELTS score of a minimum of 6.5 overall
o PTE score of a minimum of 58 overall
Emerson College
- Official transcripts of the bachelor's degree
- Proof of English language proficiency is required for international students. The following lists demonstrate the range of scores in a different test of accepted students
o TOEFL score of 95-115
o IELTS score of 6.5 – 7.5
o PTE score of 65-80
The University of Texas at Dallas
- A bachelor's degree with an average score of B with an acceptable foundation in arts or similar professional experience
- TOEFL score of at least 80 overall or IELTS score of at least 6.5 overall, or PTE score of at least 67
School of The Art Institute of Chicago
- Must have obtained four years bachelor's degree
- TOEFL score of 100 or IELTS score of 7 or Duolingo score of 120
Minnesota State University
- An undergraduate degree from a recognized university
- TOEFL score of at least 61 or an IELTS score of 5.5
- A portfolio with 10 to 20 examples representing creative works
San Francisco Art Institute
- A bachelor's degree from an accredited university
- Portfolio demonstrating works done in 2 to 3 years with 10 to 20 photos or 2 to 3 videos.
- TOEFL score of 100 overall or IELTS score of 7.5 or PTE score of 73 overall for proof of English language proficiency.
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Master of Arts in the USA: Scholarship
The universities provide different scholarships for Master of Arts in the USA. Besides these scholarships, there are also other financial aid opportunities. Teaching assistantships are a standard method to receive tuition fee waivers and stipends. Generally, students can apply for one after completing the first semester or first year in the university. Students with a strong foundation in arts through an undergraduate degree are more likely to obtain a teaching assistant role. There are also different fellowships awarded to students with strong academic backgrounds.
University |
Scholarship |
Amount |
Seattle University |
Carol Wolfe Clay Leadership Award |
$ 5000 over two years |
Incoming Graduate Student Scholarship |
$ 1200 to $ 12000 |
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Goucher College |
Goucher Scholarships |
$ 2000 - $ 4500 |
School of The Art Institute of Chicago |
Enrichment Scholarships |
$ 2000 per year |
New Artists Society scholarship |
50 to 100 % reduction of tuition fee |
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Minnesota State University |
International Student Emergency Assistance |
Up to $ 1000 |
Heritage Christian University |
Graduate Student Scholarship |
Full tuition scholarship off one class |
Scope and job prospects of Master of Arts in the USA
The average salary for a Master of Arts depends upon the specialization one chooses. The average salary for art history specialisation is $ 61,000 a year. For MA in art administration, the average salary is $ 52,000 a year; for the MA in arts management degree, the average salary is $57,000 yearly. The program graduates are hired to manage private collections, curatorial and research works. Graduates also find a lot of teaching jobs in high schools and colleges. The table below shows the different roles assumed by the graduates of the degree and the range and the average salary in the US for the positions.
Roles |
Range of Salary |
Average annual salary |
Curatorial Assistant |
$ 26,000 - $ 59,000 |
$ 38,569 |
Director of Development (Fundraising) |
$ 70,000 - $ 148,000 |
$ 101,789 |
Museum Registrar |
$ 35,000 - $ 60,000 |
$ 46,357 |
Curator |
$ 30,000 - $ 62,000 |
$ 42,832 |
Museum Director |
$ 31,000 - $ 100,000 |
$ 53,627 |
Director of Events |
$ 44,000 - $ 116,000 |
$ 70,220 |
Operations Manager |
$ 31,000 - $ 58,000 |
$ 42,748 |
Program Manager, Non-Profit Organization |
$ 38,000 - $ 75,000 |
$ 53,167 |
Program Coordinator, Non-Profit Organization |
$ 31,000 - $ 51,000 |
$ 39,490 |
Fundraising Coordinator |
$ 30,000 - $ 46,000 |
$ 36,704 |
Fundraising Manager |
$ 37,000 - $ 63,000 |
$ 48,521 |
Grants Manager |
$ 38,000 - $ 63,000 |
$ 49,144 |