Arts Management

Pitt Law and Carnegie Mellon University's Heinz College offer a four-year joint degree program designed to train students for careers in which arts management and law overlap. Students must satisfy both schools' degree requirements, but each school gives some credit for completing the other school's program. The joint degree program is designed to be completed in eight semesters over four academic years instead of the five years required if pursued separately.

Students can pursue both programs simultaneously. Students study at either Heinz College or Pitt Law during the first year, taking the respective school's standard first-year curriculum. The second year involves full-time study at the other school. For the third and fourth years, students take courses at both schools. 

Curriculum & Requirements

Heinz College and Pitt Law have different degree requirements. Carnegie Mellon University's courses are counted in units, and the University of Pittsburgh's in credits. A 12-unit course is the equivalent of a 4-credit course. To fulfill Pitt Law's program requirements, students must complete 88 credits, while Heinz College requires 198 units. Students in the joint degree program can transfer 30 units to the Heinz College degree after completing their JD degree and 14 credits to the JD degree after completing their Heinz College degree.

To qualify for credit transfer between institutions, students must register for at least one class per semester at Heinz College during years three and four. Before selecting courses, students must meet with their Academic Advisors at both programs. In addition to the coursework, Heinz College students must complete a summer internship after their first year.

Since degrees in the joint programs are awarded concurrently, it is essential to note that a student who resigns from one program will be subject to all the graduation requirements from the remaining degree program. 

Application Information

Admission to the joint degree program may be obtained before or during the first year of study at either institution. Applicants must complete the joint degree application and each institution’s application for admission and be admitted.

Applicants to the joint degree program must take the GRE or GMAT for Heinz College and the LSAT for Pitt Law. The admission deadline for the School of Law is May 1, and for Heinz College, it is January 10.

Tuition & Financial Aid 

Tuition

Students accepted into the program, regardless of whether they have completed their first year at Heinz College or the School of Law, are charged tuition based on year of study. During the first year at Heinz College, students are charged tuition by Heinz College at the then-current Heinz College full-time tuition rate.  For the first year at the School of Law, students are charged tuition by Pitt at the then-current School of Law tuition rate. Tuition for the third and fourth years in the program is as follows:  At Pitt Law, tuition is equal to the sum of 85 percent of the then-current School of Law tuition. At Heinz College, students are charged the MAM program per unit rate for enrollment of up to 35 units per semester. Students enrolling in over or equal to 36 units are charged the then-current Heinz College full-time tuition rate.

Financial Aid

During years one and two, students may apply for financial aid (scholarships and federal financial aid) from their enrolled school. In the third and fourth years, eligible students may apply to the University of Pittsburgh for federal financial aid. Students pay the relevant tuition and required fees (e.g., technology fee) to the institution(s) at which they are then enrolled in classes.