Museum studies introduces students to the history, internal workings, and the significant public place of museums in today's society. Courses examine grant-writing processes, collections management, interpretive programs, exhibition design, and nonprofit governance and fundraising.
Museum studies students choose a co-major based on their career aspirations; options include art, communication, education, graphic design, history, management, the sciences, and theatre. At least six courses in the co-major are required.
Program Highlights
- Study the history of museums and how new external pressures and new challenges continually require museum leaders to reflect on and reassess their work.
- Examine the focus and approach to museum leadership and management, and the relationship between museums and the people they wish to serve—the public.
- Explore all aspects of the profession—from grant-writing and designing exhibitions to conducting curatorial research, planning marketing campaigns, and understanding legal issues.
- Apply knowledge and build a résumé by completing two internships at the extraordinary museums and not-for-profits in the Boston area.
Museum studies students receive hands-on experience with diverse aspects of museum work through professional internships in major cultural institutions in Greater Boston. Recent students have interned with organizations such as:
- American Textile History Museum, Lowell, Mass.
- Concord Museum, Concord, Mass.
- DeCordova Museum and Sculpture Park, Lincoln, Mass.
- Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, Boston
- Massachusetts Historical Society, Boston
- Museum of Fine Arts, Boston
- Museum of Science, Cambridge, Mass.
- Old South Meeting House, Boston
- Peabody Essex Museum, Salem, Mass.
- Semitic Museum, Harvard University, Cambridge, Mass.
- Spellman Museum of Postal History, Weston, Mass.
Recent graduates of our program are working at organizations such as:
- American Textile History Museum. Lowell, Mass.
- Concord Museum, Concord, Mass.
- Institute of Contemporary Art, Boston
- Lowell National Historical Park, Lowell, Mass.
- Museum of Fine Arts, Boston
- Old South Meeting House, Boston
Museum Studies Certificate
This program is open to individuals with a bachelor's degree who wish to improve their credentials for career advancement in museums (Option I) or who are interested in changing their career direction (Option II).
Option I: For those with museum experience (seven courses):
Cr. Cr.
MS 201 Introduction to Museum Studies I |
4
|
MS 202 Introduction to Museum Management II
|
4
|
MS 401 Coordinating Seminar
|
4
|
MS 402 Concluding Colloquium
|
4
|
Course in supportive field
|
4
|
Course in supportive field
|
4
|
Course in supportive field
|
4
|
|
|
Option II: For those interested in changing career direction (six courses):
Cr. Cr.
MS 201 Introduction to Museum Studies I |
4
|
MS 202 Introduction to Museum Management II
|
4
|
MS 301 Professional Internship I
|
4
|
MS 302 Professional Internship II
|
4
|
MS 401 Coordinating Seminar
|
4
|
MS 402 Concluding Colloquium
|
4
|
Admission
Faculty Contact Information
Core Curriculum Requirements