Master of Music-MAAA Dual Degree

Where Musicianship Meets Arts Leadership

Pair a Master of Music (MM) from the Jacobs School of Music with a Master of Arts in Arts Administration (MAAA) from the O’Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs—two nationally recognized programs—through a unique dual-degree opportunity. In just three years, you can graduate with both advanced artistic training and the management skills to shape the future of the arts.

The MM–MAAA dual degree equips musicians with the tools to thrive on stage and behind the scenes. You’ll refine your artistry under the mentorship of world-class Jacobs faculty while gaining practical expertise in nonprofit management, fundraising, finance, technology, marketing, and community engagement from the top-ranked O’Neill School.

This innovative program is designed for students who want to:

  • Pursue excellence in performance or composition while preparing for leadership roles in arts organizations.
  • Blend artistic passion with business acumen to build sustainable careers in today’s evolving arts landscape.
  • Expand professional opportunities beyond performance into administration, advocacy, and cultural leadership.

With training in both music performance and arts management, graduates of the MM–MAAA are uniquely prepared to launch and sustain vibrant careers in the arts as performers, ensemble leaders, administrators, or entrepreneurs.

100% of MM-MAAA students are considered for funding.

Competitive funding packages from both the O'Neill School and the Jacobs School of Music are available to assist in making our top-ranked programs affordable. Email us about funding your degree. 

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World-class partnership at IU

As a dual degree master’s student at both the Jacobs and O’Neill schools, you’ll experience a strong sense of community, access to practical experiences, and world-class resources—including the Cook Music Library, one of the world’s largest academic music libraries. Plus, you’ll benefit from the expertise in management, fundraising, business acumen, and financial management for which the O’Neill School is well known. 

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Let’s talk about your options and career goals!

Patrick Lewis

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Margaret Seitz

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Connect with a current student

Speak with one of our student ambassadors about their O’Neill experience. 

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The Master of Music-MA in Arts Administration Program

2degrees

3years to complete

Course requirements for the dual Master of Music and MA in Arts Administration can be completed in just three years. The program combines 24 credits from the Jacobs School and 33 credits from the O’Neill School, which includes both a practicum and internship in arts administration.  

Students in the dual degree will be required to complete music proficiency requirements (and the associated review courses, if necessary) appropriate to the major field for the Master of Music degree.

Major Field (18-21 credits)  

  • Choose from courses specified for your major field.

Music History and Literature Requirement (6 credits) 

Major Ensemble 

  • As specified for each major in the Curricula for Graduate Degrees in Music section.

Language Proficiencies and Tool Subjects

  • As specified for each major in the Curricula for Graduate Degrees in Music section.

Comprehensive Review

  • Before graduation, all master’s degree students must pass an oral or written examination in consultation with their major department.

Required Core (18 credits)

  • AADM – Y 502 Organizational Behavior and the Arts
  • AADM – Y 650 Seminar in Arts Administration
  • AADM – Y 515 Financial Management for the Arts
  • AADM – Y 530 Audience Development and Marketing the Arts
  • AADM – Y 558 Fund Development for Nonprofits
  • AADM – Y 562 Legal Issues in the Arts

Management and Policy Courses (9 credits)

  • Performing Arts (choose one)
    • AADM – Y 508 Managing the Performing Arts
    • AADM – Y 511 Performing Arts Center Management
  • Arts and Cultural Policy (choose one)
    • AADM – Y 551 Cultural Planning and Urban Development
    • AADM – Y 559 Public Policy in the Arts
  • Technology (choose one)
    • AADM – Y 500 Topics in Arts Administration: Digital Literacy in Arts & Culture
    • SPEA – I 515 Data Science in Public and Environmental Affairs
    • SPEA – I 519 Database Management Systems
Experiential Requirement (0-6 credits)
  • AADM – Y 550 Practicum in Arts Administration (0-3 credits)
  • AADM – Y 750 Internship (0-3 credits)

MAAA Electives: Additional Management and Policy Courses (0-6 credits)

Students take up to 6 credits of additional MAAA coursework to reach a total of 33 degree credits. Courses can be chosen from the remaining Management and Policy courses above, as well as from the options below:

  • AADM – Y 507 Seminar in Community and Place
  • AADM – Y 526 Art and Social Change
  • AADM – Y 506 Curating in Museums and Galleries
  • AADM – Y 525 Museum Management
  • AADM – Y500 Topics in Arts Administration
    • Example topics include: Arts Education Policy; Arts Writing and Advanced Marketing; History of Museums; etc.

Alternatively, students can opt to enroll in up to 6 credits of experiential learning in place of some or all of these elective credits.

See course descriptions at Student Central

Admissions

You must apply separately for admission to the Master of Music at Jacobs and the MAAA at O’Neill and must be accepted by both schools in order to be admitted to the combined degree program.  

You may apply for admission to both programs simultaneously, or, if enrolled in one program, you may apply for admission to the other any time before the completion of your degree. 

Apply for your MAAA

O’Neill deadlines: Jan. 15 (priority), May 1 (final)

Apply for your Master of Music

Jacobs deadline: Dec. 1

Our recent graduates have started their careers as:

  • Manager of Artistic Planning and Administration, New York Philharmonic
  • Associate Vice President for Strategic Innovation and Special Initiatives, Manhattan School of Music
  • Assistant Dean of Admissions and Student Life, Aspen Music Festival and School
  • Director of Development, Opera Omaha
  • Operations Manager and Assistant to the Music Director, Louisville Orchestra
  • Director of Programs, Indiana Arts Commission
  • Marketing Manager, St. Louis Symphony Orchestra
  • Events and Annual Fund Manager, Santa Fe Symphony Orchestra and Chorus
  • Public Relations Coordinator, Detroit Symphony Orchestra
  • Development Coordinator, Denver Center for the Performing Arts
Headshot

I’m excited for future arts administrators and musicians to be in the same classrooms, creating friendships, because it’s so important for us to work together as a team.

Isabel Kwon, DMA in cello performance with a minor in arts administration, cellist at the Atlanta Symphony