Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- Do you require GRE scores?
- What are the Admissions Requirements?
- How do I schedule an interview with the Director?
- What if I can't visit any of the conference locations, or the Southern Utah University campus in Cedar City?
- What is the deadline for admissions?
- Where is Cedar City, Utah?
- What is the difference between graduate schools and professional schools?
- What is the difference between an M.F.A. and an M.A. degree?
- Am I prepared for graduate school?
- What is arts administration?
- Why should I study arts administration?
- What are some examples of jobs in the arts administration field?
- What should I put in a resume?
- What should be in the letters of recommendation?
- What is the difference between a thesis and a capstone project?
- What if I need additional money?
- How can I contact the Financial Aid Office on campus?
- What is a nontraditional applicant?
- Who are the faculty?
Do you require GRE scores?
GRE test scores are not required. The Acceptance Committee will focus admissions decisions on other requirements, such as a personal interview, transcripts, resumes and statements of purpose. Students are encouraged to take the GRE to give the Program Director a more complete picture of the student's academic success, however, GRE scores are not required.
What are the Admissions Requirements?
Admissions Requirements are:
- Earned bachelor’s degree
- Overall undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher
- Resume of Academic & Professional experience
- Three (3) letters of recommendation
- Written statement of purpose
- Completed application
- Paid $60 application fee
- Interview and acceptance by the Program Director
How do I schedule an interview with the Director?
All interviews are scheduled through the administrative assistant . The Director attends several professional conferences a year and is available for interviews at those locations. Please check the MFA calendar for more information or you may call the administrative assistant for dates and locations.
What if I can't visit any of the conference locations, or the Southern Utah University campus in Cedar City?
Face-to-face interviews are preferred, however, if that is impractical, applicants may schedule a telephone interview.
What is the deadline for admissions?
The absolute deadline is March 31 for the following fall semester. However, most interviews will be conducted just after the first of the year and all required paperwork must be submitted before the interview. The preferred deadline is March 1.
Where is Cedar City, Utah?
Cedar City is located in southwestern Utah about 2 1/2 hours from Las Vegas, Nevada and 3 1/2 hours from Salt Lake City, Utah. The area has a population of approximately 26,000 people. It is known as the Festival City because of a variety of community activities that go on during the year. Learn more about the area.
What is the difference between graduate schools and professional schools?
Graduate schools offer study in numerous areas, while professional schools provide training in specific areas, such as law, dentistry, or medicine. Careers for graduate school graduates are just as varied as the fields they can study. On the other hand, law school graduates will most likely become lawyers and medical school graduates will most likely become doctors, even though there are many different types of both. SUU is considered a graduate school.
What is the difference between an M.F.A. and an M.A. degree?
An M.F.A. degree is a terminal degree, meaning it is the highest degree achievable within a field of study. At SUU, classroom study and practical, hands-on experience are combined. Graduates are also able to teach at an institution of higher education with an M.F.A. An M.A., on the other hand, is often considered an academic step toward earning a doctorate.
Am I prepared for graduate school?
Graduate school differs from undergraduate study. It is more focused, more expensive, more individualized, and requires more dedication to studies than do most undergraduate programs. Because you are a part of a smaller group, you must be ready to carry your weight with assignments, discussions, research and projects. Your professors and classmates will expect you to:
- Read a large amount of material on a regular basis
- Take thorough lecture notes
- Lead/participate in class discussions, study sessions, and professional seminars
- Write research papers
- Prepare presentations
Balancing your priorities while in the program will be critical. Careful planning will be necessary to ensure that you can spend sufficient time and energy on your studies, as well as your life outside the program.
What is arts administration?
Arts administration is the systematic organization of business principles, people and practices necessary to fund, maintain, promote, produce and/or present an artistic product for a cultivated audience. It involves working with artists, patrons, staff, and other administrators. Responsibilities as an arts administrator may include, but are not limited to: strategic planning, marketing, fundraising, budgeting/finance, advocacy, education, program development, and community relations.
Why should I study arts administration?
If you love the arts, but are concerned just how you are going to make a living, perhaps arts administration is for you. Administration is a crucial part of the success of arts organizations and provides an avenue for you to share your love of the arts, while maintaining the lifestyle you may envision. Benefits to being an arts administrator often include salaried positions, insurance packages, regular office hours, vacation time, and job security.
To get an idea of the types of administrative positions available in the arts, ArtSEARCH is an excellent resource. It is an employment bulletin published bi-weekly by Theatre Communications Group, Inc. and is available only through subscription. If you still have access to your undergraduate library, check to see if they carry a subscription. For further questions, contact TCG at (212) 697-5230 or www.tcg.org.
What are some examples of jobs in the arts administration field?
Positions held by arts administration graduates are as diverse as the field itself and the many arts disciplines within it. Careers can be found in various not-for-profit and for-profit arts organizations as well as in not-for-profit organizations outside the arts arena. Examples of such positions often fall within the general categories of:
· Executive Leadership
· Production Management
· General Management
· Company Management
· Fundraising
· Human Resource Management
· Special Events Management
· Financial Management
· Marketing
· Advocacy
· Press and Public Relations
· Government Relations
· Publications & Information Technology
· Union Leadership
· Box Office Management
· Arts Education
What should I put in a resume?
The resume should include academic, professional, and volunteer experience.The quality of your leadership skills will be assessed through the following experiences, as included in a resume:
- Undergraduate leadership activities
- Civic/community volunteerism
- Internship with professional non-profit and/or arts organizations and
- Paid professional experience in the arts or nonprofit-related work.
What should be in the letters of recommendation?
As soon as possible, select three people who are familiar with your work habits, academic ability, and personality. These individuals may be professors, advisors, supervisors, or community leaders with whom you have interacted. In order for them to write the best letters of recommendation possible, provide them with your plans for graduate school, additional background about yourself, and any other details that support the strengths you’ve demonstrated. Letters of recommendation can take longer than expected to be completed, so start early.
What is the difference between a thesis and a capstone project?
A thesis is an extensive project centered on a specific theme or point of view, resulting in a lengthy paper or dissertation. A capstone project is based on a practicum, or actual experience.
What if I need additional money?
Additional employment outside the program is not encouraged, and often restricted. You can qualify for student loans, if necessary.
How can I contact the Financial Aid Office on campus?
For further questions regarding financial aid, please contact the Financial Aid Office at (435) 586-7735 or www.suu.edu/ss/financial.
What is a nontraditional applicant?
At SUU, you are a nontraditional student if you are married, over 25, have a family, and/or are returning to school after an absence of three years or more. Nontraditional students are as welcome to apply as traditional students. In fact, nontraditional students’ diversity and varied experiences can add a beneficial perspective to the overall classroom experience. As a prospective nontraditional graduate student, you must be sure you have the time to dedicate to a full-time scholastic schedule, even with outside responsibilities.
Who are the Faculty?
View our faculty listing