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Master’s in Museum Studies degrees offer graduates many exciting and interesting career possibilities. With a varied set of course work, graduate students are able to gain knowledge in all areas of managing museums, working with artifacts, understanding different cultures and societies, and history. Future professionals in the area of museum studies are able to build skills in business, management, communication, research, analysis, and marketing in order to best present information and objects to a worldwide audience.
Graduate Curriculum in Museum Studies
To begin pursuing a graduate degree in the field of museum studies, most prospective graduate students will have completed an undergraduate degree in a relevant field. Some of the options for qualifying for a graduate degree program include a completion of a bachelor’s degree in art history, general history, or archaeology.
After beginning a museum studies program, graduate students will first complete core course work. Some of the classes that are likely to be included in building the core foundation include exploring museum professions, topics in the digital age and the museum, and museum education, museum and business, global perspectives of museums, strategies of exhibition, and management of collections.
Additional courses can also be helpful for gaining specific skills in various areas of museum studies. Examples of these types of elective classes include ethnic groups and museums, ethics in museum studies, history of museums, exhibition design, writing museum scripts, museum communications, traveling exhibition management, museum accessibility issues, and museum architecture. Many programs will include completion of a seminar, typically on-site at a museum, and an internship. Additionally, many programs have opportunities for students to study abroad.
Museum Studies Specializations for Master’s Degrees
To further prepare for a specific type of career or focus of an area in museum studies, concentrating in one specific specialization of the field can be beneficial for further doctoral study or professional pursuits. Some specialization are likely to relate to specific cultures or regions. Examples include African studies, Judaic and Hebrew studies, Caribbean and Latin American studies, and Near Eastern studies.
Other specializations offer the ability to focus on a specific career path. Some of these options might include concentrating courses on management of collections, education and museum studies, art interpretation, or concepts in architecture.
Careers with a Graduate Degree in Museum Studies
Rewarding career opportunities for graduates with an advanced degree in museum studies can be found with many different types of companies and organizations. The first places of employment a graduate might begin applying to include museums and archives or libraries. Other possibilities also include archaeological associations or private firms, government agencies, and aquariums or zoos. Art galleries and educational institutions also offer various positions for museum studies professionals.
Additional information on career possibilities with a master’s degree in museum studies can be found on the Museum Studies web page on the Smithsonian Institute website at http://museumstudies.si.edu/.
Whether interested in assisting in an archaeological dig, teaching undergraduate courses, or working a curator in a museum, an interest in history and culture can be advanced into an exciting and rewarding career. With a Master’s in Museum Studies degree, future professionals can continue to pass on valuable knowledge to all generations.
