The Paul H. O’Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs and the Jacobs School of Music at Indiana University are proud to announce the launch of a new dual Master of Music–Master of Arts in Arts Administration (MM–MAAA) degree program.
The new program provides students with a unique opportunity to earn both a Master of Music and a Master of Arts in Arts Administration in just three years. The innovative structure allows musicians to deepen their artistic practice while also developing the skills necessary to thrive.
“By combining the artistic excellence of the Jacobs School of Music with the leadership and management expertise of the O’Neill School, this dual degree uniquely prepares students to thrive in today’s dynamic arts landscape,” said Siân Mooney, dean of the O’Neill School. “Graduates will be equipped not only to perform at the highest level but also to lead organizations, shape policy, and expand access to the arts. This partnership underscores our commitment to developing creative leaders who will strengthen the arts and enrich communities around the world.”
Students in the program will benefit from the rigorous musical training offered by the Jacobs School, one of the world’s premier music schools, alongside the management expertise of the O’Neill School, the top-ranked public school for public affairs known for its interdisciplinary approach to education. The result is a curriculum that blends artistry with leadership, preparing graduates to advance both their own careers and the broader cultural sector.
“In today’s ever-evolving academic environment, we are constantly striving to meet the needs and desires of not only current but future students,” said Abra Bush, David Henry Jacobs Bicentennial Dean of the Jacobs School of Music. “We are pleased to introduce our new dual degree program combining the Master of Music with the Master of Arts in Arts Administration in collaboration with our colleagues at the O’Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs, which will help prepare students for a broad range of careers in the performing arts, both onstage and behind the scenes, in only three years.”
The O’Neill School’s Master of Arts in Arts Administration program integrates theory and practice through courses in management, fundraising, technology, community engagement, marketing, and finance. By combining this professional preparation with Jacobs’ unparalleled musical education, students will graduate with a rare and powerful dual credential that positions them to succeed in multiple facets of the arts industry.
“From the perspective of a music student, having both degrees is beneficial,” said Isabel Kwon, who earned her Doctor of Music from the Jacobs School in 2022 with a doctoral minor in arts administration and is currently a cellist with the Atlanta Symphony. “When I went to Jacobs for my doctorate, I knew I wanted to study with Eric Kim because of his knowledge as a principal cellist in the Cincinnati Symphony to win a job in an orchestra. I jumped at the opportunity to add a minor in arts administration because I knew orchestras operate as nonprofits, and I wanted to have a deeper understanding of how they are run.
“Now that I am in the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, I appreciate also having the skills to understand the lens of what it takes to run such an organization.”
Applications for the new MM–MAAA program are now open, with the first cohort beginning in fall 2026. Learn more about the MM-MAAA program.