Courses & Registration
Enrollment is easy, but differs between credit and non-credit courses. To enroll in the credit (ARTS-EXT) version of any course, follow these directions to enroll through SPIRE. To enroll in the non-credit (LLAMS) version, fill out this form using the course information from our Online Classes page. Be sure to join our mailing list to receive announcements on registration, courses, and more!
Yes! You do not need to be on track for a certificate or degree to take our courses. Anyone can enroll if they want more in-depth information on a few specific topics. Remember that our Introduction to Arts Management course is a prerequisite for all of our 500 level courses so you may need to start there.
Our Introduction to Arts Management course is a prerequisite for most AES courses. This course will provide an overview of the nonprofit arts and culture field and lay the foundation for your understanding of potential careers in the arts sector. In addition, many of our courses require you to work with a case study organization.
Many AES courses take a practical, hands-on approach in which you learn the principles of nonprofit management by applying your learning to a case study or community partner organization throughout the semester. These courses often culminate in the preparation of a final project that offers specific strategies and recommendations for the organization based on concepts learned in the course. This is an excellent way to make professional contacts while you are still in school!
Organizations and students each sign a Memorandum of Understanding to clarify expectations. Students promise to keep the Case Study's information confidential within the class.
Contact AES at @email to find out if your course requires a case study organization.
Campus courses typically take a group case study approach in which the instructor identifies a local nonprofit organization and the entire class uses this case study as a lens for learning. Representatives from the organization often visit class, meet with students throughout the semester, and often host a student field trip at their organization.
Graduate students and Honors students in campus courses may have the option or requirement to identify an organization with which they will work independently through the semester. If you are a Graduate or Honors student, ask your instructor about additional requirements.
In the online courses, each student typically identifies their own case study organization and applies their course learning to this organization, producing a final project. This ensures that online students have the opportunity to work closely with an organization that they wish to create or deepen a relationship with.
A Note About Confidentiality: In most courses, you are not required to identify your case study. You can keep it entirely confidential, assigning a fictitious name, should the organization be concerned about revealing its operations. This may not be possible for Marketing or Arts Programming, as you will likely share visual materials. Contact your instructor to discuss this option.
If you are not employed by a nonprofit and do not currently volunteer for one please try the options below, and if you need more help finding a case study, email the Arts Extension Service. You may also contact your state or local cultural council or local library for advice on an organization.
Four options for identifying an independent case study:
- Option #1 (Highly Recommended): Choose Your Own Organization: If you are currently working in an arts or cultural organization you will get the most out of the course if you use your own institution as your case study organization. If you are not currently responsible for the subject matter covered in this course within your organization please ask the people in these roles if they would work with you on the assignments.
- Option #2: Choose Another Nonprofit Organization with Which You Are Familiar: You may obtain similar results by working closely with a nonprofit organization of which you are not a member. For instance, if you volunteer for a nonprofit agency we recommend you use that organization as your case study organization, even if this organization is not solely focused on the arts. We have had many students who work at non-arts agencies that apply the learning to their unique environments.
- Option #3: Contact an Area Arts Agency or Nonprofit: If you are not associated with an organization, you must find one who is willing to be your case study for the course. If you have a friend who runs a social service organization that may be a better case study than an arts council whose leaders are not interested in your learning. You may also look for an organization in your local community that interests you or where you may want to work. You can also contact national organizations and offer to do the case study remotely. This is the least preferred route since it is often difficult to arrange access to a nonprofit's information on such short notice. It is best to begin outreach to organizations as soon as possible, as early as one month prior to the semester start. Ask your instructor about the number of meetings and other requirements for case study organizations and include this information in your outreach to organizations.
- Option #4: Request Case Study Recommendations from the Arts Extension Service: If you are having trouble confirming a case study organization, contact AES. We aim to keep a short list of nonprofit arts organizations willing to serve as a Case Study in exchange for your completed final project or plan.
Organizations and students sign Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) to clarify expectations. Students promise to keep the Case Study's information confidential. Ask your instructor about the deadline for the signed MOUs and for confirming a case study organization.
Our program is designed to be a hands-on practical learning experience. For example, if you take Arts Marketing, throughout the 12-weeks of the course you will formulate a marketing plan for your case study piece by piece. A nonprofit organization case study must be identified (preferably before you begin your course work) although your instructor may be able to advise you.
In most cases, yes, you may use a for-profit arts institution as your case study. However, for select courses such as Financial Management and Arts Fundraising you may need to work with a separate nonprofit institution in order to complete certain assignments. Contact AES with any questions.
You will also need to use Microsoft Word (or a comparable word processing program) and Adobe Acrobat (Reader) or a comparable PDF reader. Financial Management also requires familiarity with Microsoft Excel. Students must also be prepared to actively work within a group process, since activities in some courses may include a group project.
Students will be evaluated on the level of participation and completion of assigned work. Specific requirements can be found in the course syllabus. Email your instructor if you have any questions. Courses have clear due dates and time requirements. Campus students receive a traditional letter grade. Online non-credit students receive a pass/fail grade and online credit students receive a traditional letter grade.
Yes, students may register for the online courses as 300 or 500 level 3-credit courses.
Students interested in taking our courses for credit should be aware that their work would be held to the high university standard in evaluation because of the credit award. Timeliness of completion, quality of work, and frequent and thoughtful participation in discussions will all be factored into the final grade the student receives, which will be a traditional letter grade in accordance with the University system.
On campus courses: In a typical 13-week semester, an on campus course that meets once per week would include 1.25 hours of class time and approximately 9 hours of work outside of class per week. For a class that meets twice per week, plan on 2.5 hours of class time and eight hours of work outside of class per week.
Online courses: For a three-credit course in a typical 13-week semester, plan on approximately ten hours of work per week. For a 6-week intensive, plan on approximately 22.5 hours of work per week.
The University’s guidelines for credit hours can be found here.
Credit and non-credit students meet together in the same course. The difference is simply that credit students pay more to receive graduate-level credits which can then be used for the arts management or other University degree, or transferred to another institution to complete a degree or for other external reasons such as compensation or proof of course completion. Both credit and noncredit courses can be used to fulfill our Certificates in Arts Management.
If you are interested in transferring credits to another institution, check with that institution about their requirements for the number and type of credits that may be transferred.
We created the Intro course in response to the very real need to provide a deeper background for our Arts Management students. The foundational skills and knowledge learned in this course make it invaluable for those who come to class without a minimum of three years in an arts management leadership position in a nonprofit arts institution or a state, regional or national arts agency.
Please contact us regarding your specific situation. You have to be a matriculated UMass student to take a course on campus, but the UMass Registrar does make some exceptions.
First, you will receive a UMass NET ID which are your credentials to access your email, classes, the library, and more.
Second, check your UMass email, and if needed, have all emails here forwarded to one that you open regularly. This is where online students will find information from the Bursar regarding billing.
Third, read the syllabus as it will provide information about the course. This will be provided to you in an email prior to the start of the course and will also be available online in the course itself.
Fourth, order your book(s).
Fifth, explore Canvas, the University’s online learning management system, which is where you will find class Announcements, readings, discussion questions, assignments, and more. If you are new to such systems, we encourage you to watch the tutorials.
Certificates and Online Degree
Visit our Campus Certificate page for requirements. The first step is to submit the Campus Certificate Application Form, which isn’t a formal application but allows AES to support you in your academic planning. Next, plan the required courses into your class schedule. You must pass all required and elective courses with a grade of 73 or above. Finally, submit the Undergraduate Campus Certificate Request Form. Please contact us with any questions. AES faculty are available to advise you throughout your coursework.
There is no application process for our Core or Professional Certificates, and no program fees with any of our Certificates. You can start earning your Certificate in Arts Management by registering for Introduction to Arts Management, the mandatory prerequisite for all courses.
The Leadership Certificate requires a minimum of three years of varied experience in the arts sector. To apply for consideration for the Leadership Certificate, send a cover letter and your resume/CV to @email.
Once you have completed the required amount of courses for a Core Certificate (4 courses), Professional Certificate (8 courses) or Leadership Certificate (4 courses), fill out the Certificate Request Form and submit it to our office at @email.
Earn a Core or Leadership Certificate in Arts Management by successfully completing four online courses and earning a grade of 73 or more. Complete eight courses for the Professional Certificate. Upon completion, fill out and send in a Request for Certificate form (also found at the bottom of each of the Certificate pages and in the course shells in Canvas), and after courses are verified your certificate will be mailed to you.
Yes. You may take the courses for credit if you are looking to have credits to transfer outside of our program but we do not require you to take the courses for credit to count them towards a certificate. The Interdisciplinary Studies degree does require you to take the courses for credit.
No. Our certificate and degree programs are 100% online and designed for students who are full-time professionals, may have families, and have a busy schedule.
The Core Certificate is an introductory program meant for those new to the field of arts management or who want a credential. The Core Certificate consists of four courses of your choice. The Professional Certificate is in many ways an extension of the Core, meant to expand out into a more full skill and knowledge base. You can earn the Core Certificate after completing four courses, and the Professional Certificate after completing eight courses. You can get both by first completing the Core Certificate, and then taking four more courses to complete the requirements for the Professional Certificate.
Yes! According to University policy, you can only apply credits for up to two courses to both a degree and a Certificate. You will have to fulfill the rest of the requirements for the degree and Certificate with separate courses. Note: You must take the courses for credit to count them towards both the Interdisciplinary Studies degree and certificate.
There is no additional cost for either of our certificates.
Yes. As long as we have proof of your participation and a grade for an online course (credit or noncredit) we are happy to honor this to help you complete your certificate. Contact us if you have specific questions at @email or 413-545-2360.
Please visit the University Without Walls (UWW) Department of Interdisciplinary Studies website for more information on registering for the online Bachelor's Degree in Interdisciplinary Studies with a concentration in Arts Management.
Yes! All of our Arts Management courses are official University of Massachusetts Amherst courses. The Bachelor's Degree in Interdisciplinary Studies is also offered through the University of Massachusetts Amherst, which is an internationally recognized and accredited institution. In addition, our arts administration degree program is a full member of the Association for Arts Administration Educators.
No. Our Bachelor's degree in Arts Management offered through the UWW Department of Interdisciplinary Studies is a degree completion program intended for those who have taken some college courses, but don't yet have a college degree. If you already have a degree, you would be a great candidate for our Certificate program which offers graduate-level courses in arts management.