Mission-Driven Operations and Management
A nonprofit arts and culture organization can accomplish its mission only if its program operations and organizational management are efficient and effective. Financial planning, staffing, and resource management must function smoothly for any organization to succeed. In this master’s degree concentration, you’ll learn how to set and meet financial goals by cultivating partnerships, managing grants, and implementing community-based approaches. You'll also build and customize data-driven programming strategies designed to help organizations identify and cultivate engaged audiences.
At a Glance
Free Application
University College is committed to educational access, and given the difficult circumstances currently impacting millions of people, we are waiving application fees.
Skills You'll Learn
Develop strategic approaches to managing an organization’s operations
Manage people and programs in ways that encourage innovation and audience loyalty
Explore and choose sustainable business models
Curriculum
Master of Arts in Arts and Culture Management with a concentration in Mission-Driven Operations and Management requires completion of 48 credit hours (12 courses).
All students are required to complete a zero-credit Student Success Course.
Elective courses may be chosen from among non core and concentration courses in the Arts and Culture Management program, and you may also select courses in other University College graduate programs.
Your academic advisor will help you select electives that align with your career and personal goals.
Sample Schedule
Plan out your schedule and determine your preferred timeline for completing your master's degree—finish in as few as 18 months or take up to five years.
| Year 1 | Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Classes | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Year 2 | Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Classes | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Year 1 | Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Classes | 1 | 2 | 1 | 2 |
| Year 2 | Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Classes | 1 | 2 | 1 | 2 |
Interested in a graduate certificate?
Explore our four and six course graduate certificates in Mission-Driven Operations and Management.
Take a Course Before You Apply
We know how important it is to get started when you're ready and that's why you can enroll in a course before you officially apply.
Career Outcomes
Predicted outcomes for graduates of Mission-Driven Operations and Management
Nonprofits are creating jobs three times faster than for-profits and is the third largest industry in the U.S., according to the Johns Hopkins Center for Civil Society Studies.
With more than 5 million arts and cultural jobs, industry employment is increasing in the majority of states, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
The National Center for Arts Research found that the nonprofit arts and culture sector is expansive, not just in urban areas and the coasts, but also a growing number cultural organizations appearing across rural communities.
Job Titles
Nonprofit Program Director Salary: National Average
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"The return on investment for the education is invaluable. Things that I would be working on for my day job, I could apply in to classes. It was a direct connection to the work I was already doing." —Tim Vacca, graduate.
Flexible Online Classes
We understand the demands of balancing work, friends and family, and school can be challenging. That's why at University College, you can complete your program entirely online. Our online learning platform makes it easy to work anywhere at any time.
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Accreditation
University College programs maintain the highest level of accreditation offered by The Higher Learning Commission, one of the regional accrediting bodies recognized by the federal government. The University of Denver and all of its academic programs are regionally accredited by this commission, and regional accreditation is the highest standard for universities in the United States.