The Theatre School’s graduate Arts Leadership Fellowship is a two-year Master of Fine Arts (MFA) program that combines full-time employment at Chicago Shakespeare Theater with full-time coursework at DePaul University. This rigorous program, distinct among competitive programs, is designed to prepare students to become highly skilled leaders in the complex and sophisticated world of the arts.
| Program Requirements | Quarter Hours |
|---|---|
| Degree Requirements | 96 |
| Total hours required | 96 |
Learning Outcomes
Core Outcomes:
Students will be able to:
- Identify and describe the historical and theatrical significance of a range of theatrical artists, works, and artistic approaches from antiquity to the present, encompassing a broad range of periods, cultures, and styles.
- Identify and explain their theatrical work in the context of the cultural and social impact of the arts.
Program Specific Outcomes:
Students will be able to:
- Master the nature and dynamics of collaborative practice between and among artists, boards, personnel, and audience and work with collaborators within an organizational structure.
- Develop and master the skills of strategic planning and master the basic principles of finance (including budgeting and financial management).
- Develop a workable knowledge of law and legal procedures as they relate to the ethics of business practice, governance, and contracts, and a practical knowledge of relevant labor relations and issues.
- Develop specific proficiencies in marketing strategies as they relate to overall artistic programming and specific events.
- Understand the specifics of facility management and resource allocation.
Degree Requirements
Course Requirements
| First Year | Hours | |
|---|---|---|
| MPS 500 | INTRODUCTION TO PUBLIC SERVICE MANAGEMENT | 4 |
| WRD 522 | WRITING IN THE PROFESSIONS | 4 |
| MPS 515 | NONPROFIT FINANCIAL ADMINISTRATION | 4 |
| MGT 530 | LEADERSHIP IN ORGANIZATIONS | 4 |
| MPS 519 | RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT | 4 |
| Synthesis Seminar Sequence | ||
| THE 521 | ARTS LEADERSHIP SYNTHESIS SEMINAR | 3 |
| THE 522 | ARTS LEADERSHIP SYNTHESIS SEMINAR | 3 |
| THE 523 | ARTS LEADERSHIP SYNTHESIS SEMINAR | 3 |
| Graduate Management Practicum Sequence | ||
| THE 511 | GRADUATE MANAGEMENT PRACTICUM | 6 |
| THE 512 | GRADUATE MANAGEMENT PRACTICUM | 6 |
| THE 513 | GRADUATE MANAGEMENT PRACTICUM | 6 |
| Select one 500 Level CMNS Course Chosen in Consultation with the Arts Leadership Department Head | 4 | |
| Second Year | ||
| MPS 525 | WORKING WITH NONPROFIT BOARDS | 4 |
| MPS 561 | LAW AND NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS | 4 |
| AP 550 | ORGANIZATIONAL AND/OR INTERPERSONAL DYNAMICS | 2 |
| Synthesis Seminar Sequence | ||
| THE 621 | ARTS LEADERSHIP SYNTHESIS SEMINAR | 3 |
| THE 622 | ARTS LEADERSHIP SYNTHESIS SEMINAR | 3 |
| Graduate Management Practicum Sequence | ||
| THE 611 | GRADUATE MANAGEMENT PRACTICUM | 6 |
| THE 612 | GRADUATE MANAGEMENT PRACTICUM | 6 |
| THE 613 | GRADUATE MANAGEMENT PRACTICUM | 4 |
| THE 681 | ARTS LEADERSHIP THESIS PROJECT | 5 |
| Eight credit hours of Elective credit must be completed as approved by advisor. | 8 | |
Work on The Theatre School’s production season extends outside of the university’s academic calendar. Some production assignments may require participation up to two weeks before the beginning of fall quarter, during a portion of the winter break, or during spring break. Specific details pertaining to different programs, specific assignments, and options for students not able to participate outside of the university’s academic calendar are available in the Theatre School Student Handbook and the Theatre School website.