Mar 28, 2024  
2022-2023 University Catalog 
    
2022-2023 University Catalog [Archived Catalogue]

Museum Studies, MA


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Michael Maley, Program Director
mmaley@uarts.edu
(215) 717-6575

C O N T E N T S

Application

Learn more and apply to the Museum Studies​ program.

Description

The MA in Museum Studies is a twelve month program that prepares students for a career in museums and cultural institutions. Students develop skills to create, design, and manage the variety of entry points to museums. This program features two degree emphases, from which students select one: Education or Audience Engagement.  The program reflects the collaborative environment found in professional museum settings while providing an entry point for students to deepen their knowledge in a chosen line of museum work. Coursework spans the broad landscape of museum work and is designed to foster the construction of knowledge grounded in solutions to issues facing museums today, including diversity, equity, accessibility, and inclusion as well as emerging technologies in cultural institutions. Faculty are professionals from within and adjacent to the museum field and leaders on both the local and national level. Professional internships and exchanges with the robust Philadelphia museum community supplement coursework in museum history and practice as well as educational theory and methodology.

Program Objectives

The MA program in Museum Studies prepares students to:
1. Apply a knowledge of museums (purpose, functions, formats, structures, and operations) to their practice as a museum professional.
2. Develop verbal, written, and visual communication strategies and skills for a variety of purposes and audiences.
3. Use audience research and evaluation to develop museum-community relationships.
4. Create visitor- and learner-centered experiences and environments for diverse museum audiences.
5. Collaborate with other museum professionals and problem solve to improve team dynamics and outcomes.
6. Engage in design and strategic thinking in order to generate solutions to current challenges facing museums. 

Program Requirements (36 credits)

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