Southern Utah University

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Southern Utah University
Southern Utah University
Summer Semester 2026

Capstone: Master of Fine Arts (Face-to-Face)

AA 6900-01

Course: AA 6900-01
Credits: 6
Term: Summer Semester 2026
Department: TA
CRN: 20032

Course Description

Students will link theory with practice as participants in a 10-week residency internship at a professional arts organization. The internship is individually arranged by the student in collaboration with AA faculty and an on-site supervisor. A design statement, written by the student and agreed upon by the participating parties, will outline the goals of the student within the internship, focusing on substantive experiences which will demonstrate the student’s practical knowledge and skill acquired in the five previous semester in the AA program. Design statement fulfillment will be analyzed by the AA Graduation Committee at the end of the student’s sixth and final semester.

Required Texts

There is no required text for this course.

Learning Outcomes

As the 'capstone' of two years of Arts Administration theory and practice, the Learning Outcomes for the MA Capstone (AA6940) are the same as those for the Arts Administration Program as a whole. Through successful completion of this course, students will:

  1. Become empowered advocates for the arts
  2. Apply scholarly theory directly into professional practice
  3. Develop adaptability and critical thinking skills necessary to work in the arts
  4. Cultivate both practical and creative approaches to problem solving
  5. Communicate in an effective and persuasive way.

Course Requirements

All grading in this course is Pass/Fail. If a student fails the course, the student will not be granted the MFA degree and will be dismissed from the AA Program. The Capstone course may not be repeated [see the current Arts Administration Program Graduate Student Manual].
Course work is broken down into four areas as related back to the Learning Outcomes: fulfillment of Capstone Criteria, the Design Statement, weekly Journal Entries & Check-Ins, and a Final Presentation.
CAPSTONE CRITERIA: The capstone internship must meet the following criteria:
  • 10 weeks (minimum) at 40 hours per week on the job at a non-profit arts organization
  • Additional hours relating to the fulfillment course requirements [creating the Design Statement, posting 10 Journal Entries, and delivering the oral Final Presentation]
  • A field supervisor with 5 years of arts administration experience
  • An internship as defined by the organization as an administrative internship (or employment) in line with AA Curriculum
  • A completed SUU Internship Agreement Form 
DESIGN STATEMENT: The Capstone should be the culmination of a well thought-out sequence of academic experiences. The internship is an arrangement between the student, the AA program, and an outside organization. To ensure all participants are on the same page, a plan (or Design Statement) must be put in writing and agreed upon by all involved. The Design Statement must contain the following elements:
  • Student career goals
  • A reflection on student preparation and qualifications
  • Internship information [location, organization, dates, title]
  • Expected internship learning outcomes
  • Internship description [information on the organization and expected responsibilities as related back to the expected learning outcomes]
  • Project description [information on expected specific projects, if applicable, as related back to the expected learning outcomes]
  • Field supervisor information [name, title, qualifications, contact information]
  • Signatures of the Student, the AA Director, and the Field Supervisor
JOURNAL ENTRIES & CHECK-INS: Students will make 10 Journal Entries on the Arts Administration Capstone Blog, accessed by the Graduation Committee, current AA students, and invited guests. In addition to these 10 Journal Entries, the Student must also make at least 10 Check-Ins with the class to discuss progress in both the Capstone [AA6900] and the Degree Defense [AA6980] courses. There are 14 weeks in the semester, so students can check-in up to 14 times, but only 10 are required. These check-ins are done via the weekly discussion forums here in Canvas, unless there is a sensitive topic or issue which the student wants only the AA Director to know, then the student can email the director their Check-In directly. 
FINAL PRESENTATION: Student will return to Cedar City for the annual Arts Administration Conference at the end of August to (1) present on the Capstone experience, and to (2) satisfy the requirements for the Degree Defense [AA6980] course. Presentations should focus on the capstone internship, relating experiences back to the two years in the AA program. Presentations must be 10 minutes in length, with a question/answer period afterwards.
Course Assessment Table
Course Assessments | Course Outcomes
Project Criteria | 1-5
Design Statement | 1,2,5
Journal Entries & Check-ins | 1-5
Final Presentation | 1,2,5

Course Outline

Each Module will normally consist of a journal entry and a check in. Class is conducted weekly in Canvas discussion forums focused on current issues within the student's capstone projects. These forums are available to view at any time, but do not post in the discussion forum until the first day of the corresponding week (which usually falls on a Monday, unless otherwise noted). Doing so will result in a loss of points. All discussions will close at 11:59 pm on the fourth day of the week (usually the Thursday, unless otherwise noted). Students should use the 'break' Fridays through Sundays to work on their journal entries (due Sundays at 11:59 pm), and continue the work on their capstone projects. Please be aware that all times listed in this course are Mountain Standard.

Instructor's policies on late assignments and/or makeup work

All assignments and readings are expected to be completed by the due date/time listed on Canvas (again, please note that all times are Mountain Standard Time). Students earn credit by completing the assignments in the same time frame given to every other student in the class.
  • Discussions: Because they are based on conversing with your fellow classmates, all graded class discussions close immediately after the due date/time listed, with no late posts accepted.
  • Assignments: For written assignments submitted to the instructor, 10% will be deducted for each 24-hour period past the deadline. This means that no assignment will be eligible for points if it is more than 10 days beyond the due date.
In the event of circumstances preventing a student from completing a discussion or assignment on time, the student should let the Instructor know and request a deadline extension. Such extensions are up to the discretion of the instructor.

Attendance Policy

As this course is an asynchronous course, there are no specific meeting dates, times, or locations, and no traditional attendance policy. Students are simply expected to come to Canvas each week prepared and to actively contribute, getting grades for such. Beyond those points, participation in this class adds value to the entire group. Active and regular contribution furthers learning and enhances the experience of all within the course.

Instructor Feedback

Keeping a 9-5, M-F schedule, the instructor commits to grading and giving feedback on assignments within five business days of the due date, and responding to emails within two business days. 

Classroom Climate

Students are expected to model good Expedition Behavior (as defined by the National Outdoor Leadership School) in all course activities in any class in the Arts Administration Program. Expedition Behavior "encompasses actions that serve the health and function of a group or community when working together toward common goals." Principles of Expedition Behavior include:
  • Mission: Serve the mission (Course Description) and goals (Course Outcomes) of the group.
  • Concern: Be as concerned for others as you are for yourself.
  • Dignity & Respect: Treat everyone as you would be treated.
  • Support: Support leadership and growth in everyone.
  • Kindness: Be kind and open-hearted.
  • Organization: Do your share and stay organized.
  • Help: Help others but don’t routinely do their work.
  • Integrity: Model integrity by being honest and accountable.
  • Concise: Say yes and deliver, or say no clearly if you cannot or will not do something.
  • Constructive Resolution: Resolve conflict in a productive manner.
This class is intended to test higher-level cognitive abilities. You are expected to be active in your learning and think, question, problem-solve, and debate information presented in class. The instructor will do their best to create an environment in which expressions of uncertainty, conjecture, and alternative or competing views can be freely shared. The same is expected of students. Remember, there is a big difference between debating and attacking. The latter will not be tolerated and the instructor reserves the right to excuse from discussions any student who compromises this preferred class climate. As we navigate unscripted challenges, please be flexible and extend grace and kindness to the instructor, to classmates, and to yourself. We are in this together and we are all doing our best.

Additional Arts Administration General Syllabus Statements

AA ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE POLICY: The use of AI (artificial intelligence) programs is allowed in Arts Administration courses within the parameters outlined below.
  • AI may be used in written assignments submitted directly to the instructor. Remember, AI cannot do all your writing for you. It can, however, be a tool for you to use if you can harness and proficiently utilize this technology ethically and responsibly. For example, using AI to help organize your thoughts, create outlines, or to help proofread your papers is a perfectly acceptable application.
    • GRADING: The same minimum standards will be in place for each written assignment, no matter if you are using AI in your writing process or not. Assignments that fail to meet the minimum rubric requirements specified will be graded as such. Please note that many assignments in this program will ask for your personal analysis, opinion, experience, and may also ask you to incorporate in-class discussion elements. AI cannot do any of those things effectively. As a result, choosing to use AI may ultimately not be the most efficient use of your time, so you should always carefully consider whether or not you want to use it.
    • ACCURACY: AI is prone to writing factually incorrect statements, inventing fake quotes from real sources, and inventing entirely fake sources. It is your responsibility to double-check that any AI-assisted work you submit is free from these errors, verifying information before submitting it. Work containing factual errors or fictitious quotes/sources will be graded accordingly.
    • CITATIONS: If you use AI in your writing, it must be cited. As there is no penalty for using AI appropriately, so there is no benefit to lying about or trying to conceal your use of AI in this class. Concealing or lying about your use of AI is akin to plagiarism and will result in your assignment receiving a zero. 
  • AI may NOT be used in activities that require direct personal participation or presentation. AI may be used to brainstorm, refine, or proofread, provided the final participation or presentation itself is created and delivered by the student.
    • DISCUSSION FORUMS: These forums are conversations between you, your classmates, and the instructor. As such, we expect you to come to these discussion forums as your authentic self.
    • PRESENTATIONS: Presentations are intended to reflect the student’s own voice, presence, and engagement with the material. Students may not use AI to generate or deliver presentations on their behalf. This includes, but is not limited to, AI-generated voices or AI-produced video content.
AA GRADE POLICY: In compliance with the SUU Graduate Policy regarding grades (Policy 6.62), students enrolled in an Arts Administration Graduate Program (MFA or MA) are required to maintain a minimum of a 3.0 (B) cumulative grade point average on a 4.0 scale. Additionally, AA graduate students will not receive credit for a course where they achieved less than a 2.0 (C). Please see the current Arts Administration Program Graduate Student Handbook and Policy 6.62 for further information. Students in Arts Administration courses, but not part of one of the two AA degree tracks (MA or MFA), are still beholden to Policy 6.62, but should also be aware of any grade policies within their own graduate programs. PLEASE NOTE: As stated in the AA Handbook (found in the Arts Administration Student Hub), the Capstone course is pass/fail, and if a student fails, they will not be granted the degree and will be dismissed from the AA Program. The Capstone course may not be repeated.
AA MISSION STATEMENT: The Arts Administration Program develops graduates who advocate for the arts while balancing administrative systems with the creative process in an effort to ensure the artistic integrity and economic sustainability of arts and culture organizations. 
AAAE STANDARDS STATEMENT: The Association of Arts Administration Educators (AAAE) represents college and university graduate and undergraduate programs in arts administration. AAAE, the accreditation-equivalent body for the Arts Administration Program at SUU, has set forth national standards by which the SUU AA Program abides, informing all curricular decisions within the Program. For more information on these standards or AAAE, visit www.artsadministration.org.

ADA Statement

Students with medical, psychological, learning, or other disabilities desiring academic adjustments, accommodations, or auxiliary aids will need to contact the Disability Resource Center, located in Room 206F of the Sharwan Smith Center or by phone at (435) 865-8042. The Disability Resource Center determines eligibility for and authorizes the provision of services.

If your instructor requires attendance, you may need to seek an ADA accommodation to request an exception to this attendance policy. Please contact the Disability Resource Center to determine what, if any, ADA accommodations are reasonable and appropriate.

Academic Credit

According to the federal definition of a Carnegie credit hour: A credit hour of work is the equivalent of approximately 60 minutes of class time or independent study work. A minimum of 45 hours of work by each student is required for each unit of credit. Credit is earned only when course requirements are met. One (1) credit hour is equivalent to 15 contact hours of lecture, discussion, testing, evaluation, or seminar, as well as 30 hours of student homework. An equivalent amount of work is expected for laboratory work, internships, practica, studio, and other academic work leading to the awarding of credit hours. Credit granted for individual courses, labs, or studio classes ranges from 0.5 to 15 credit hours per semester.

Academic Freedom

SUU is operated for the common good of the greater community it serves. The common good depends upon the free search for truth and its free exposition. Academic Freedom is the right of faculty to study, discuss, investigate, teach, and publish. Academic Freedom is essential to these purposes and applies to both teaching and research.

Academic Freedom in the realm of teaching is fundamental for the protection of the rights of the faculty member and of you, the student, with respect to the free pursuit of learning and discovery. Faculty members possess the right to full freedom in the classroom in discussing their subjects. They may present any controversial material relevant to their courses and their intended learning outcomes, but they shall take care not to introduce into their teaching controversial materials which have no relation to the subject being taught or the intended learning outcomes for the course.

As such, students enrolled in any course at SUU may encounter topics, perspectives, and ideas that are unfamiliar or controversial, with the educational intent of providing a meaningful learning environment that fosters your growth and development. These parameters related to Academic Freedom are included in SUU Policy 6.6.

Academic Misconduct

Scholastic honesty is expected of all students. Dishonesty will not be tolerated and will be prosecuted to the fullest extent (see SUU Policy 6.33). You are expected to have read and understood the current SUU student conduct code (SUU Policy 11.2) regarding student responsibilities and rights, the intellectual property policy (SUU Policy 5.52), information about procedures, and what constitutes acceptable behavior.

Please Note: The use of websites or services that sell essays is a violation of these policies; likewise, the use of websites or services that provide answers to assignments, quizzes, or tests is also a violation of these policies. Regarding the use of Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI), you should check with your individual course instructor.

Emergency Management Statement

In case of an emergency, the University's Emergency Notification System (ENS) will be activated. Students are encouraged to maintain updated contact information using the link on the homepage of the mySUU portal. In addition, students are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the Emergency Response Protocols posted in each classroom. Detailed information about the University's emergency management plan can be found at https://www.suu.edu/emergency.

HEOA Compliance Statement

For a full set of Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA) compliance statements, please visit https://www.suu.edu/heoa. The sharing of copyrighted material through peer-to-peer (P2P) file sharing, except as provided under U.S. copyright law, is prohibited by law; additional information can be found at https://my.suu.edu/help/article/1096/heoa-compliance-plan.

You are also expected to comply with policies regarding intellectual property (SUU Policy 5.52) and copyright (SUU Policy 5.54).

Mandatory Reporting

University policy (SUU Policy 5.60) requires instructors to report disclosures received from students that indicate they have been subjected to sexual misconduct/harassment. The University defines sexual harassment consistent with Federal Regulations (34 C.F.R. Part 106, Subpart D) to include quid pro quo, hostile environment harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking. When students communicate this information to an instructor in-person, by email, or within writing assignments, the instructor will report that to the Title IX Coordinator to ensure students receive support from the Title IX Office. A reporting form is available at https://cm.maxient.com/reportingform.php?SouthernUtahUniv

Non-Discrimination Statement

SUU is committed to fostering an inclusive community of lifelong learners and believes our university's encompassing of different views, beliefs, and identities makes us stronger, more innovative, and better prepared for the global society.

SUU does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, citizenship, sex (including sex discrimination and sexual harassment), sexual orientation, gender identity, age, ancestry, disability status, pregnancy, pregnancy-related conditions, genetic information, military status, veteran status, or other bases protected by applicable law in employment, treatment, admission, access to educational programs and activities, or other University benefits or services.

SUU strives to cultivate a campus environment that encourages freedom of expression from diverse viewpoints. We encourage all to dialogue within a spirit of respect, civility, and decency.

For additional information on non-discrimination, please see SUU Policy 5.27 and/or visit https://www.suu.edu/nondiscrimination.

Pregnancy

Students who are or become pregnant during this course may receive reasonable modifications to facilitate continued access and participation in the course. Pregnancy and related conditions are broadly defined to include pregnancy, childbirth, termination of pregnancy, lactation, related medical conditions, and recovery. To obtain reasonable modifications, please make a request to title9@suu.edu. To learn more visit: https://www.suu.edu/titleix/pregnancy.html.

Disclaimer Statement

Information contained in this syllabus, other than the grading, late assignments, makeup work, and attendance policies, may be subject to change with advance notice, as deemed appropriate by the instructor.