The University of Kentucky offers a Ph.D. in Art Administration online. I am not sure what the ROI of an Art Administration degree is, especially at a doctoral level. The degree requires 43 credits at $790.00 per credit, or $33,970.00 for the program tuition.
From the website: Since this is a scholarly degree, I wonder what the theoretical basis for Art Administration is?
Perhaps they are developing that scholarly base. A slight redirect here, but perhaps you know the answer: Is there a standard or guideline for when one field splits into two? For example, art administrators might turn to scholarly literature to answer questions about how much they should charge for admission, or what motivates people to go to the museum, or how to decide an optimal layout inside - but when do those questions become part of the distinct discipline of art administration, and not just questions in alternative disciplines like nonprofit management, psychology, or architecture?
I don't think so. These things evolve over time. As long as researchers go where the data lead, disciplines can rise up (or fall?). One indication for a discipline is the establishment of a foundational theory. For example, in my field, human resource development, HRD theory is fed by economics, systems theory, psychology, and ethics. It can happen with smaller theories, too, but they don't necessarily become separate disciplines. For example, I created a grounded theory to explain and examine the Chief Learning Officer phenomenon. Feeder theories included HRD, strategic HRD, career theory (both career development and career selection), and strong structuration. But my theory would never become a foundational theory for an academic discipline; it's too small and narrow for that.
