Congratulations on taking the next step in your graduate education! This page will help you submit a complete application to the Master of Professional Studies in Arts and Cultural Leadership program.

Fall Semester Application Deadline: April 15, June 1
Spring Semester Application Deadline: October 15

Application Materials

First, access the online application. (In the application, select University of Minnesota Twin Cities, College of Continuing and Professional Studies, Arts and Cultural Leadership - MPS)

Submit all application materials electronically—the online application, professional statement, letters of recommendation, transcripts, etc.—by the deadline.

  • Professional statement: Two to three pages, double-spaced. Keep in mind that professional experience can include creative practice, volunteer work, activism, internships, employment, and less-traditional experiences. Your statement should address the following areas:
    • What personal or professional goal(s) are you most passionate about? How will the MPS in Arts and Cultural Leadership program advance these goals?
    • Describe a challenge you would like to address related to arts and culture in your community or the wider world.
    • Interpersonal skills are important for success in this program. Provide examples of how you’ve demonstrated one or two of the following interpersonal skills: collaboration, communication, curiosity, community engagement, or leadership.
    • Working in arts and culture requires engaging with people from different backgrounds. Elaborate on how cultural competency has shown up or will likely show up in your work in arts and cultural leadership.
  • Extenuating Circumstances statement: One page, double-spaced. Required if your undergraduate GPA is below 3.0. You may also submit this statement if there are other areas of your academic record that you would like to address.
    • Briefly describe what impacted your academic performance.
    • Explain how circumstances have changed and what new supports or strategies you will use to meet the demands of graduate school (for example, time management, self-care, etc.)

Tips

  • Review the professional statement prompts and make sure your statement addresses all of them.
  • Use professional discretion and intention when disclosing personal details.
  • Allow time for multiple drafts.
  • Have at least one person review it and give feedback.
  • Avoid listing all activities from your resume/CV or application in narrative form.
  • Express yourself authentically: avoid cliched or overly formal language.

Two letters of recommendation are optional. Why would I want to use them?

If you decide to submit letters of recommendation, the best letters come from instructors who know you and your academic work, or from employers or supervisors that have knowledge of: your interest in arts and culture and skills that will help you complete the ACL degree. The more the letter reflects real knowledge of you and your performance, the more useful it is to the admissions committee. Ask your letter writers whether they will be able to write you a strong recommendation. If the answer is "no," find a different person.

Remember to share with your letter writers:

  • a current CV or resume
  • professional statement
  • information about the ACL program
  • why you are applying to the program


Tell the letter writers to include in their recommendation:

  • how long they have known you and in what capacity
  • their current position and organization
  • your skills and experience that will prepare you to succeed in the ACL program and your desired career
  • how you have grown as a scholar or professional
  • your leadership and/or collaboration experience
  • your performance in their course(s) or workplace

Tips

  • Ask a current/former supervisor, colleague, or instructor.
  • Ask them if they feel comfortable writing a strong recommendation.
  • Have a backup writer in case of emergency.
  • Talk with each letter writer about the program, your current/future interests, and professional goals.
  • Give them a clear deadline (typically 4–6 weeks).
  • Share your professional statement and resume or CV with your letter writers.
  • Do not ask a family member, friend, sponsor, or clergy member.
  • Send the letter-writers a thank you!

Unofficial transcripts or academic records for each institution (even if you didn’t receive a degree) should be uploaded directly to the online application. International students should also upload an English translation if the transcript is not in English. If possible, make sure the institution has put your name on the transcript/record.

Submit a current resume or CV (curriculum vitae). Make sure it is up to date and free of errors. In addition to work history, include relevant research experience or publications, volunteer activities, training, artistic practice, etc.

A nonrefundable application fee must be paid on submission.

Fee Waiver

CCAPS offers a limited number of application fee waivers to US citizens/permanent residents. If you would like to be considered for a fee waiver, please make sure you:

  1. Start a program application to the graduate program of interest (disregard if your application is in progress).
  2. Ensure all required documents and statements are loaded into your application.
  3. Complete the fee waiver form found within your program application.
  4. Do not submit payment to your program application. We can not reimburse you if you are awarded a fee waiver but have already paid.

We strongly recommend applying for a fee waiver at least two weeks before the application deadline. Due to the limited number of fee waivers, not all applications will be approved.

You will be notified via email with instructions if your application has been approved. If not approved, you should then submit your payment within your program application.

Please email Steve Wicks at [email protected] if you have any questions. 

Application Checklist

Your complete application will include:

  • An online application
  • A professional statement
  • College transcripts
  • A resume or curriculum vitae
  • English language test scores (if applicable)
  • An application fee
  • Optional: Two letters of recommendation

You will receive an admission decision four to six weeks after the application deadline. If you have questions about admission requirements, or would like advice on how to gather your application materials, please contact admissions advisor Steve Wicks.

Ready to apply?

Apply Now

Transferring Credits

Transferring Graduate Credits

You may be able to transfer up to 10 credits of graduate-level coursework completed prior to admission, with the approval of the Director of Graduate Studies.

Transfer coursework requirements:

  • Taken at the University of Minnesota or another accredited institution
  • Completed at the graduate level and listed on a graduate transcript
  • Earned a grade of B or better
  • Completed no more than five years prior to admission to the program

Transferring Undergraduate Credits

You may be able to transfer up to six of the ten transfer coursework credits taken as an undergraduate at the U of M, with the approval of the Director of Graduate Studies and the Director, Graduate Programs.

Please email graduate enrollment advisor Steve Wicks to learn more.

International Students

English Language Proficiency

If your native language is not English, please submit scores from the TOEFL, MELAB, or IELTS English proficiency examination. Read more about required scores.

  • Required TOEFL scores are 84 or above, with section scores of at least 21 on writing and at least 19 on reading
  • Required IELTS score is 6.5, with section scores of at least 6.5 for both writing and reading
  • Required MELAB score is 84
  • Required Duolingo score is 110

Visa Status

International students interested in the Master of Professional Studies in ACL should contact the International Student and Scholar Service for information on visa status.

Financing Your Education

International students are not eligible for federal financial aid or CCAPS scholarships and must provide financial evidence showing that they can cover tuition, living expenses, and university health insurance, Student Health Benefit Plan, during their period of study. Note that international students cannot count on obtaining a job to finance all of their academic and living expenses and need to plan accordingly.

CCAPS does not offer graduate research or teaching assistantships. However, CCAPS graduate students may be eligible for a U of M graduate assistantship outside of the Master of Professional Studies in Arts and Cultural Leadership, which is basically a part-time job in research or teaching. These assistantships are highly competitive and are not guaranteed. You can view open graduate assistantships on the U of M Human Resources website.

To learn more about financing your education, visit Plan Your Expenses or make an appointment with International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS).

Taking a Course Before Admission

How to Register for Undergraduate Courses to Meet Prerequisites

Complete the steps outlined on the registration page for nondegree students. Undergraduate courses used to meet prerequisites will not count toward your degree requirements.

How to Register for Graduate-level Courses

Credit courses taken before admission may be applied toward your degree. You can take a graduate-level course before being admitted if:

  • the course is graduate-level (4xxx-level or above), and
  • you register for credit as a non-degree graduate student and pay graduate-level tuition.

More information is available on the CCAPS Taking Graduate Courses page.

Financing Your Education

CCAPS Graduate Education programs do not provide living stipends, research assistantships, or teaching assistantships as might be expected in a typical PhD program.

US-based students: CCAPS offers modest financial need-based scholarships to eligible students, and a limited number of merit-based scholarships. However, in most cases students work while going to school in order to cover living expenses and pay tuition out of pocket, including health insurance.

International students: Are not eligible for federal financial aid or CCAPS scholarships and must provide financial evidence showing that they can cover tuition, living expenses, and the Student Health Benefit plan health insurance during their period of study. To learn more about planning for these expenses, visit Plan Your Expenses or make an appointment with International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS).

Fellowships and Grants 

Fellowships offer the opportunity to fund your education without the work requirements of an assistantship or debt payments of a student loan.

Scholarships, Loans, and Financial Aid 

Visit the CCAPS financial aid website to learn more about our collegiate scholarships, federal financial aid, and non-U of M financing options.

Employer Reimbursement 

Some employers may help pay for your graduate education if it relates to your goals at work. Talk with your organization's human resources representative to learn more.

  • Why should your company invest in your education?
  • You'll be able to handle more responsibilities and roles.
  • Your employer will increase productivity, which will help it grow (or help it save money).
  • Your employer could attract and help keep high-quality talent.
  • Your employer will demonstrate a commitment to growth and the creation of mentors and leaders.
  • You can cultivate job satisfaction.

Graduate Assistantships 

You may be eligible for a U of M graduate assistantship outside of the ACL program, which is basically a part-time job in research or teaching. You can view open graduate assistantships on the U of M Human Resources website.

Admissions Advising

Graduate enrollment advisor Steve Wicks is happy to answer your questions about the ACL program and the application procedure.

 

Or you can give Steve a call at 612-301-6127.

Do you have a more detailed question or want to tell us a little bit about yourself before the meeting? Fill out this brief questionnaire.