Graduate Admissions - University of Houston
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Questions? Please contact
Fleurette S. Fernando
Arts Leadership Director
fsfernando@uh.edu 

The Arts Leadership program's commitment to academic excellence and the highest performance standards has made the institution a vital resource in the educational and cultural life of this city. The program offers graduate students a rigorous program of study in both degree and certificates, producing some of the most talented graduates who go on to become leaders in their fields. The University of Houston offers the following graduate-level programs: Master of Arts, Dual Degree Program, Arts and Health Certificate and Museum and the Gallery Management Certificate.  As the fourth largest city in America, Houston provides our students with a wide array of opportunities for culturally diverse experiences. Graduate students are also exposed to the many professional and community-based leadership opportunities the city has to offer through practicum. 

Master of Arts Degree Requirements

The M.A. in Arts Leadership Program follows the Kathrine G. McGovern College of the Arts requirements for admission and you must submit an application through the UH Graduate School.

  • Fall 2023: May 1, 2023 at 5 p.m.
    Domestic and international students
  • A bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution with an overall 3.0 (B) average on the last 60 hours of course credit
  • A completed UH Graduate School Application form, consisting of
    • A statement of interest in and preparation for the program
      This statement should outline your past education and professional experience as it relates to the Arts Leadership Program, your career objectives and why you feel you would be a strong candidate for the program.
    • Three (3) letters of recommendation
    • A resume of academic and work experience
    • Official transcripts from each college or university attended since high school
     No GREs or other test scores are required
  1. Apply to the UH Graduate School. As part of the application system, applicants can do the following:
    • Pay the application fee Application fees are listed on the  College Graduate Fees page.
    • Request letters of recommendation from arts professionals. During the online application, applicants are asked for the names & email addresses of their recommending persons. Those individuals will be contacted directly by UH to submit their recommendations.
    • Letters of recommendation should not be mailed or emailed to Arts Leadership or the UH Graduate School.
  2. Submit all official college transcripts to UH Graduate Admissions.
    • Proof of Degree. The State of Texas requires all incoming graduate students to provide proof that they have received the appropriate previous collegiate degree(s) in order to enter any graduate program. Students who apply while enrolled at another institution will be required to submit an additional, final transcript to the UH Graduate Admissions Office upon completion of their degree. (Example, a Master of Music applicant who is accepted during their senior undergraduate year must send a final transcript [showing degree conferral] after graduating).
    • International Transcripts. If you have attended an institution outside of the United States, please see the Graduate School's International Applicants Transcript Information for country-specific requirements.
    • Official Address. If your previous institution uses the eScript electronic transcript system, copies can be submitted to gradschool@uh.edu. Otherwise, send official transcripts by mail to

      University of Houston
      Graduate Admissions
      P.O. Box 3947
      Houston, Texas 77253-3947

Dual Degree Program

The Kathrine G. McGovern College of the Arts offers a dual degree option for graduate students in the School of Art, the Moores School of Music and the School of Theatre & Dance (MA, MFA, MM and DMA) with the MA in Arts Leadership degree. In addition to applying for the Master of Arts in arts leadership program through the UH graduate admissions process you are required to apply to the School associated with your chosen dual degree program.

Current UH Graduate Students

Both the Arts and Health Certificate and Museum and the Gallery Management Certificate are open to current all University of Houston graduate students enrolled with a minimum of 9 graduate credit hours at the time of application and minimum average GPA of 3.0. There is no application fee for current UH Students.

Applicants must complete and submit the application form (see above, under "Certificate Programs") and the graduate student petition via email to fsfernando@uh.edu.

Prospective UH Graduate Students

Prospective UH Graduate Students must have a graduate degree from an accredited institution to be eligible to apply. Prospective UH Graduate Students must apply to the university, including paying an application fee, and submit the application form (see above, under "Certificate Programs") via email to fsfernando@uh.edu.

Fall Application Deadline: August 1
Spring Application Deadline: December 1

  • A graduate degree from an accredited institution with an overall 3.0 (B) average on the last 60 hours of course credit
  • A completed UH Graduate School Application, consisting of
    • A statement of interest in and preparation for the program
      This statement should outline your past education and professional experience, your career objectives as it relates to the Certificate and why you feel you would be a strong candidate for the program.
    • One (1) letter of recommendation
    • A resume of academic and work experience
    • Official transcripts from each college or university attended since high school
  • A completed Certificate Application form (see above, under "Certificate Programs") sent via email to fsfernando@uh.edu.
     No GREs or other test scores are required

Applicants who are not citizens of the United States are considered international students by the University, regardless of residency or immigration status.
TOEFL: International students who have received their bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution inside the U.S. are not required to submit a TOEFL score. International students who have completed their bachelor’s degree outside the U.S. are required to have a minimum score of 550 on the paper TOEFL exam and the ITOEFL; and a minimum score of 79 on the internet-based exam to be considered for admission to the Arts Leadership Program.

  1. Apply to the UH Graduate School. As part of the application system, applicants can do the following:
    • Pay the application fee Application fees are listed on the  College Graduate Fees page.
    • Request a letter of recommendation from arts professionals. During the online application, applicants are asked for the names & email addresses of their recommending persons. Those individuals will be contacted directly by UH to submit their recommendations. L etters of recommendation should not be mailed or emailed to Arts Leadership or the UH Graduate School.
  2. Submit all official college transcripts to UH Graduate Admissions.
    • Proof of Degree. The State of Texas requires all incoming graduate students to provide proof that they have received the appropriate previous collegiate degree(s) in order to enter any graduate program. Students who apply while enrolled at another institution will be required to submit an additional, final transcript to the UH Graduate Admissions Office upon completion of their degree. (Example, a Master of Music applicant who is accepted during their senior undergraduate year must send a final transcript [showing degree conferral] after graduating).
    • International Transcripts. If you have attended an institution outside of the United States, please see the Graduate School's International Applicants Transcript Information for country-specific requirements.
    • Official Address. If your previous institution uses the eScript electronic transcript system, copies can be submitted to gradschool@uh.edu. Otherwise, send official transcripts by mail to

      University of Houston
      Graduate Admissions
      P.O. Box 3947
      Houston, Texas 77253-3947

  3. Submit the corresponding application form via email to fsfernando@uh.edu.
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“The Arts Leadership Program has been valuable for me because it helped me get over many of the psychological barriers to pursuing a career in the arts. The thought of making a career out of the arts can be anxiety inducing, but when you have the solid understanding of how organizations work, practical hands-on experience and the support of a community, all of which the Arts Leadership Program provides, you’re able to make that leap of faith with much more confidence.” Jordon Nickerson (MA ’17)