Graduate
Degree Programs
Museum Studies
The Museum Studies Program provides an integration of museum history and theory with hands-on instruction in museum techniques and practices. It encompasses the scholarly exploration of museums, including their history, operations, ethics and role in society from interdisciplinary perspectives, while also training students in the technical aspects of museum work such as collections care and management, administration, education, exhibit planning and design, curatorial practices, visitor studies and technology. The program offers a master’s degree and a graduate certificate. Students considering application to the certificate or degree program are welcome to take classes prior to formal admission. Students admitted to the graduate program may apply to count 8 or 9 credits earned as a non-degree student toward their M.A. in Museum Studies.
The Museum Studies M.A. curriculum (36 credit hours) consists of a required introductory course, a set of integrated core courses which provide a broad-based interdisciplinary training in museum practice, a choice of elective courses that allow the student to develop a particular specialty, and a capstone colloquium course preparing students for entry into the museum workforce. The course work is complemented by an internship that provides an opportunity for an intensive applied learning experience in a museum. The interdisciplinary curriculum and flexible structure allow students to achieve either a generalist breadth suitable for those working in smaller museums or to focus on a particular area of museum practice appropriate for a specialist on the staff of a larger museum.
M.A. requirements (36 cr.)
The Master’s degree program consists of 36 credit hours of course work, including a required introductory course (A503) (3 cr.), core courses (A510, A512, A516, A548) (12 cr.), an internship (A508) (6 cr.), a colloquium (A530) (3 cr.), and a choice of elective courses (12 cr.) selected from the Museum Studies or approved courses from outside the program including those in Public History, Anthropology, Education, Sociology, Public Relations, Philanthropic Studies, Non-Profit Administration (SPEA) and Herron School of Art and Design. All these courses must be passed with a grade of B– or above in order to count for the degree. Internships must be approved by a faculty advisor prior to registration.