Courses & Workshops UWW Arts Administration Concentration Degree FAQ
UWW Arts Administration Concentration Degree
Frequently asked questions:
- How do I register for UWW Degree with a Focus in Arts Management Online?
- How do I register for Arts Mangement Online?
- What is the tuition per class?
- When do classes start?
- Can I get a Certificate of Arts Management and the degree?
- Why can't I take the Non-credit classes and have them count toward the degree?
- Is this a REAL degree?
- Is Financial Aid available?
- Do I have to pay for my class in full when I register?
- Are the classes entirely online?
- How many classes can I take at once?
- Are there any prerequisites that I need to take the classes?
- Why do I need a case study?
- How do I find a case study?
- What order should I take the courses in?
- How will my work be evaluated?
- Do I have to log on at any specific time?
- Can I get graduate credits?
- Are there any other fees I will need to pay?
- How does the Online class work?
- How do I talk to my instructor?
- How much time does homework and participation generally take per week?
- I have more questions, how do I get help?
How do I register for UWW Degree with a Focus in Arts Management Online?
Please review the 'How to Register' page for information on registering for the Online UWW Degree with a Focus in Arts Management.
How do I register for Arts Management Online?
Registration is easy! Enrollment opens about 2 months before the start of each class. Click here to register online today! .
What is the tuition per class?
Each credit course in the Arts Management Online program costs $350/credit, plus a $45 registration fee.
Students only need to purchase one text, Fundamentals of Arts Management, 5th edition for all of the Arts Management Online classes offered by the Arts Extension Service (AES). Call 413-545-5537 to purchase this text, available for $65 plus shipping/handling, over the phone, or visit The UMASS Outreach Bookstore Website. (Note: Creative Economy does require an additional text.)
When do classes start?
Arts Management Online classes are offered during the spring, summer and fall semesters, according to the following schedule:
- Spring Semester: Classes start early February and end mid-May and registration opens i nmid-November.
- Summer Semester: Classes start in early June and end in August and registration opens in April.
- Fall Semester: Classes start in early September and end in mid December and registration opens end of July
Can I get a Certificate of Arts Management and the degree?
Certainly! There is no additional cost for either of our certificates. Earn a Core Certificate in Arts Management by successfully completing four online courses. Earn a Professional Certificate in Arts Management by successfully completing eight online courses. “Success” is defined as completing all assignments well and participating meaningfully in class discussions. Note: You cannot take these classes for NON-Credit and have them count as CREDIT for the degree, but we WILL award the Certificate.
Why can't I take the Non-credit classes and have them count toward the degree?
You will need a certain number of upper level courses within the major to meet the degree requirements. Non-credit classes are graded Pass/Fail only and do not get added to transcripts.
Is this a REAL degree?
Yes! The UWW degree is offered through the University of Massachusetss which is an accredited institution.
Is Financial Aid available?
Yes! UWW students are eligible for financial aid if they meet the same requirements applied to all UMass Amherst students. Over 50% of UMass Amherst students receive a financial aid award. Many who believe their higher income would make them ineligible find that they are eligible for cost-effective loans when they apply for aid.
For more information, contact the University Without Walls at (413) 545-1378 or uww@uww.umass.edu.
Do I have to pay for my class in full when I register?
The University Without Walls has recently changed their policy. For credit classes you now have the option of being billed through the Bursar's Office. For more information click here. For non-credit classes you must pay at the time of registration.
Are the classes entirely online?
Yes, courses are entirely online. We have participants from all over the world, and thus this feature is both necessary and our desirable. Students find that the convenience of accessing a course when they are ready is one of many reasons that online classes are becoming so widely sought
How many classes can I take at once?
Due to the volume of coursework required, we do not allow students to take more than 2 courses per semester. Therefore, it is possible to complete four courses for a Core Certificate in two semesters, and a Professional Certificate in four.
Are there prerequisites for the courses?
The major prerequisite for the course is that you must identify a case study to work with. Here is some information about case studies that will work for this purpose:
Case Studies:
Our classes are practical courses that enable you to learn the principals of nonprofit management and apply these principles to a case study organization. The class will culminate in the preparation of a final project that offers specific strategies for enacting concepts learned in the course.
A Note About Confidentiality: None of your assignments require you to identify your case study, which you can keep entirely confidential (assigning a fictitious name), should the organization be concerned about revealing its operations.
- Option #1: Choose Your Own Organization (highly recommended): If you are currently working in an arts or culture organization, you will get the most out of this class 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, ask the people in these roles if they would work with you on the assignments.
- Option #2: Choose Another Non-Profit 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 Non-Profit: If you are a full-time student or not associated with an organization, then you must find one that you can observe. 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. This is the least preferred route, since it is often difficult to arrange access to a non-profit agency’s information on such short notice.
- Option #4: Request a Case Study Match from the Arts Extension Service office. We have a list of nonprofit arts organizations willing to serve as a Case Study in exchange for your completed final project or plan. Students will sign a Letter of Agreement, promising to complete the course and keep the Case Study's information confidential.
Other Prerequisites:
You will also have to have and know how to use Microsoft Word (or comparable word processing program) and Adobe Acrobat (Reader). Financial Management also requires familiarity with Excel. Students must also be prepared to actively work within a group process, since activities in some courses may include a group project.
Additionally, the Fundraising course includes a prerequisite for of LLAMS 11 Board Development for participation. If you are very familiar with working with boards, and have established relationships with the board of directors of your case study and wish to discuss the possibility of waiving this prerequisite, please contact us for more information. 413-545-2360 or aes@outreach.umass.edu.
Why do I need a case study?
Our program is designed to be a hands-on practical learning experience. To that end, a case study arts nonprofit organization must be identified, preferably before you begin your course work, although your instructor may be able to advise you. For example, if you were to take Arts Marketing, throughout the 12 weeks of the course, you will formulate a marketing plan for your case study, piece by piece.
How do I find a case study?
If you are not employed by a nonprofit, and do not currently volunteer for one, please email the Arts Extension Service for advice. In the Spring of 2009 we launched a Case Study match, utilizing a list of organizations we have compiled. You may also contact your state or local cultural council or local library for advice on an organization.
What order should I take the courses in?
Generally students take courses in the order in which they interest them or pertain to their current employment. If you are interested in completing the certificate and do not have a preference, we suggest that you start with one of the following:
- Arts Programming
- Arts Education
- Strategic Planning
- Board Development
Also keep in mind that not every course is offered each semester. Below is the current schedule of courses.
NOTE: SUBJECT TO CHANGE:
|
COURSE #/TITLE |
FALL 2010 |
SPRING 2010 Starts Feb. 3 |
SUMMER 2010 NOTE NEW DATE: Starts May 26 |
|
LLAMS10/ |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
|
LLAMS 11/ |
No |
No (Will be back Spring 2011) |
No |
|
LLAMS 12/ |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
|
LLAMS13/ |
No |
Yes |
No |
|
LLAMS 14/ |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
|
LLAMS 15/GENRL ST 397F |
Yes |
No |
No |
|
LLAMS 16/ |
YES |
No |
No |
|
LLAMS 17/ |
No |
No |
Yes |
|
LLAMS 18/ |
Yes |
Yes |
No |
|
LLAMS 19/ Arts Organization |
No |
Yes (Launching 2010) |
No |
How will my work be evaluated?
Students will be evaluated on level of participation, completing assigned work, and participating in threaded discussions. Online courses have clear due dates and time requirements, just like in a real classroom.
Do I have to log on at any specific time?
No, this is why online courses are becoming so sought after. You set your work schedule, as long as you meet the above requirements. Due to the diversity of our student body, we do not require students to log on at a particular time, although some of our instructors do hold “office hours” where a student can log on and post messages to their instructor for an immediate reply.
Can I get graduate credits?
At this time, UMass is unable to award graduate level credits for our online courses, however students have successfully incorporated our courses into independent studies within graduate programs at other Universities. If you are enrolled in a graduate program, and would like to pursue this option, please discuss it with your faculty sponsor or advisor.
Are there any other fees I will need to pay?
Beyond the course fee of 350/credit, there is a textbook required for all of our courses. The title is “Fundamentals of Arts Management” and the text is available for purchase from the UMASS Extension Bookstore for $65.00 with a $5.00 shipping and handling charge. There is no additional charge for certification. NOTE: Our Bookstore will no longer ship international orders. To order a book to be shipped overseas, please email us at: aes@outreach.umass.edu
How does the Online class work?
Using a web browser, you will log on to the internet and navigate to the UMASS Online site. You will log in to the site using a user name and password provided to you at the start of class. Each week, in the assigned folders online, the instructor will post a new lecture (the instructor will inform you at the beginning of the course what day of the week this will take place). The instructor may note additional readings or websites that are part of homework. An assignment incorporating aspects discussed in the lecture will be posted at this time as well. Students will have the next week to complete the assignment and post it in the section of the course allocated for assignment postings. Additionally, students are required to visit and participate in the threaded discussion section of the course, where students can communicate to each other and to the instructor to discuss topics relevant to the lecture, or their homework. As assignments are completed, the instructor will review and provide feedback. The instructor will also track course participation from week to week. At the end of the course, you will receive a pass/fail notification unless you have made arrangements for credit.
How do I talk to my instructor?
Some instructors hold office hours, during which you can log onto the site and talk to your instructor “live”. Instructors are also available via email and phone.
How much time does homework and participation generally take per week?
Past students have reported that they spend between 5-6 hours per week per course completing assignments, but this varies greatly depending on their familiarity and ease of access to their case study organization. Many students will log on to the site once, download the lectures and postings, and work offline, logging on again to post assignments and discussion points within the threaded discussions. Actual time spent online can be minimized in this way.
What if I’m going on vacation during the 12 weeks/What if I get behind?
Because of the flexibility of our online platform, it is possible for students to work ahead if needed to accommodate a planned absence. Please notify your instructor as soon as you begin the course of your impending time off, and they will work with you to keep you up to speed. If you should get behind, please contact your instructor right away to work out a plan to complete your work. Due to the cumulative nature of some of our coursework, getting behind can make it very difficult to successfully complete a course, and heading it off as soon as possible is the best way to avoid this.
What courses can I register for right now?
Available courses for registration can be found at www.umassulearn.net listed under online courses (see us under General Studies). If a course is closed, it is because it is filled to capacity, or we have cancelled it due to low enrollment or for another reason.
I have more questions, how do I get help?
Please refer to our contact page for phone numbers and email address where you can direct further questions.
