Graduate
Admissions
Museum Studies
Application Deadlines
Fall Semester: January 15 (to be eligible for a University Fellowship) and March 15
August 15 through October 15 and January 15 through April 15 rolling admission to the Museum Studies Graduate Certificate for Master’s students enrolled in other IUPUI degree programs.
There are no specific prerequisites, majors, or courses required. To apply for the M.A. or the Graduate Certificate you must submit an application, personal statement, three letters of reference, GRE scores, and transcripts:
- The Graduate Online Admissions Application (also called "eApp") is filled out on-line. You may save a draft and return to it until you are ready to submit it. The application fee must be paid by credit card before it can be submitted.
- On-line application personal statement. In your personal statement you should address the following three items. Please use the headings with each item of your response:
- Statement of purpose (400 words): Explain your educational and career objectives and how this relates specifically to the IUPUI program; what do you intend to study here and why? Why is this the right program for you?
- Purpose of museums (250 words): Please respond to the following quotation: "Museums can no longer confine themselves simply to preservation, scholarship, and exhibition independent of the social context in which they exist" (American Association of Museums, Excellence and Equity (1992), p. 8). As a prospective museum professional, how do you see your role in promoting this idea?
- Personal endorsement (250 words): Briefly describe why you think we should admit you to the program. Why are you the right fit for IUPUI? What experiences (museum and non-museum) have shaped your perspectives? Where do you find inspiration? What unique talents or skills do you bring to the program? What words describe your greatest traits? What are your passions, your strengths, or your hidden talents? Feel free to be creative in your format and response.
- Three letters of reference at least one of which should be from a person who can speak to your academic record (such as a faculty member). Letters from supervisors who can address professional or internship experience in museums are also relevant. Letters may be done electronically in the application or sent directly to the mailing address below.
- Transcripts Please request official transcripts from all previous colleges and universities you have attended. Note: We do not require a transcript from IUPUI or IU Bloomington since we can access them electronically. You must have at least one official transcript demonstrating a bachelor’s degree from an accredited university. If you are in your senior year, submit your most recent transcript with your application. If admitted, you will be asked for an official transcript documenting your completed degree and it must be received before you will be allowed to register for your second semester. The recommended minimum cumulative GPA is 3.0 (on a scale of 4.0) both overall and in your major field. If you feel that your GPA does not reflect fully your academic abilities because of special circumstances, please address those in your personal statement or a separate note in your application.
- Graduate Record Exam (GRE) scores GRE scores from the general exam (i.e. no specific subject is required) are required without exception, regardless of previous degrees earned or enrollment in other programs. The scores must be reported before your application will be reviewed. Scores may be reported electronically (specify school code #1325) by the testing service. If you are taking the GREs close to the application deadline, you may send or fax a copy of your report since test takers often receive their reports before the electronic report is available. GRE scores are valid for five years. GRE scores reported from a test taken more than five years ago may be petitioned to be accepted as valid for admission provided the applicant has successfully completed graduate coursework within the last five years.*
- Current CV or Resume You may either upload your CV along with your personal statement via the eApplication or email it directly to Becky Ellis, rsmallma@iupui.edu.
*Because the question is often asked, the IU Graduate School guidelines recommend an average of at least 550 with one score above 600, but the Museum Studies admissions committee considers test scores within the context of the entire application,(the demonstration of an applicant’s abilities through undergraduate records, references, museum or related experience, and the personal statement). You may download the Graduate Admissions Rubric for further information on how your application is evaluated.
Please note that to be eligible for nomination for a university fellowship, you must apply by January 15. Please see our Funding page for further details about fellowships, scholarships, and other funding opportunities. Please see the Office of Student Financial Aid Services for further information and deadlines for filing FAFSA forms in order to request need-based financial aid.
Please send hard copy application materials, such as your transcript and letters of reference that are not being completed on-line to this address:
ATTN: Graduate Admissions Committee
IUPUI Museum Studies Program
CA419, 425 University Blvd.
Indianapolis IN 46202
International Applicants
If you are an international student, we also require the following:
A completed International Graduate Student Admission Form.
Applicants who are not U.S. citizens will be reviewed for admission in the same manner as U.S. citizens. Foreign applicants, however, must possess an adequate mastery of the English language for acceptance into the program. Working in cooperation with the Office of International Affairs, an applicant’s language proficiency will be assessed using both GRE and TOEFL scores, letters of exchange, and interviews. For more information on this matter, please visit: IUPUI Office of International Affairs.
Requests for international applications should be directed to:
Office of International Affairs
IUPUI
902 West New York Street, Room 2126
Indianapolis IN 46202-5167
Phone: (317) 274-7294
Email: oia@iupui.edu
Web: www.iupui.edu/~oia/