Master of Arts degree in Museum Studies

The M.A. degree in Museum Studies at the University of Kansas requires a total of 42 credit hours at the graduate level:

  • 18 hours of required Museum Studies courses (see list and descriptions below)
  • 6 credit hours of supervised internship.  All students must complete an internship of approximately 500 hours of professional-level work.  Students are required to be enrolled in one of the following while serving their internships: AMS 799, ANTH 799, BIOL 799, GEOL 723, HIST 799, or MUSE 799.  Opportunities may be available to receive pay for this experience, and students may serve longer internships if they wish.  Students are required to present a paper describing and critically analyzing the internship experience.

At the end of his/her studies, each student must also take a comprehensive examination.  The comprehensive exam for the M.A. in Museum Studies may be a written or an oral examination, according to the rules established by the academic track department or program faculty.

Students enrolled in the program on a full-time basis (12 hours per semester) can normally expect to finish in two years.  Part-time enrollment is possible, but prospective students should note that the Graduate School of the University of Kansas insists that all requirements for a Master’s degree be completed within seven years.

Required courses in Museum Studies

All students pursuing the M.A. in Museum Studies must take the following six required Museum Studies courses.  (Numbers in parentheses indicate credit hours.)

MUSE 701, Museum Management (3)
Lecture, discussion, and laboratory exercises on the nature of museums as organizations; accounting, budget cycles, personnel management, and related topics will be presented using, as appropriate, case studies and a simulated museum organization model.

MUSE 702, The Nature of Museums (3)
The purpose of this course is to provide an overview of the kinds of museums, their various missions, and their characteristics and potentials as research, education, and public service institutions responsible for collections of natural and cultural objects.

MUSE 703, Introduction to Museum Exhibits (3)
Presentation of principles and practices of exhibit management, design, and production. Topics will include developing a master plan for museum exhibits; concept development design, installation, and maintenance of exhibits; design theory; design process; label writing and editing; selection of materials, architectural requirements and building codes; cost estimating; publicity; security; and exhibit evaluation. Consideration will be given to exhibition problems in public and private museums in the areas of anthropology, art, history, natural history, and technology.

MUSE 704, Principles and Practices of Museum Collection Management (3)
Lecture, discussion, and laboratory exercises on the nature of museum collections, their associated data, and their use in scholarly research; cataloging, storage, fumigation, automated information management, and related topics will be presented for museums of art, history, natural history, and anthropology.

MUSE 705, Introduction to Museum Public Education (3)
Consideration of the goals of an institution’s public education services, developing programs, identifying potential audiences, developing audiences, and funding. Workshops and demonstrations are designed for students to gain practical experience working with various programs and developing model programs.

MUSE 706, Conservation Principles and Practices (3)
This course will acquaint the future museum professional with problems in conserving all types of collections. Philosophical and ethical approaches will be discussed as well as changing practices regarding conservation techniques. Emphasis will be placed on detection and identification of deterioration in objects made of organic and inorganic materials, and how these problems can be remedied. Storage and care of objects will also be considered.

Museum Studies Electives

Other Museum Studies courses may be taken as electives.  (Numbers in parentheses indicate credit hours.)

MUSE 707, Practical Archival Principles (3)
Study of the principles and practices applicable to the preservation, care, and administration of archives and manuscripts.

MUSE 710 Current Topics in Curation and Collections Management (2)
Seminar course to provide students with a working knowledge of the primary issues and current trends in building, administration, and care of scientific collections. Topics include permits, collecting, accessioning, cataloging, preservation, preventive conservation, and access issues. The course format consists of readings, lectures, guest speakers, discussions, and visits to scientific collections on campus.

MUSE 780 Special Topics (1-3)
Advanced courses on special topics in museum studies, given as need arises. Lectures, discussions of readings, and guest speakers. Topic for semester to be announced.

MUSE 782 Seminar in Current Museum Topics (1-2)
In-depth examination of specific topics currently of concern to museums and museum professionals. Topic for semester to be announced.

MUSE 790 Advanced Study (1-3)
Individual research in a specific topic not ordinarily treated in a Museum Studies core course for which there is a member of the graduate faculty competent and willing to direct a research project.

MUSE 792 Directed Readings (1-3)
Directed reading in an area of museum studies in which there is no particular course in the Museum Studies Program or in cooperating departments but in which there is a member of the graduate faculty competent and willing to direct a program of study.

MUSE 799 Museum Apprenticeship (1-6)
Provides directed, practical experience in research, collection care and management, public education, and exhibits with emphasis to suit the particular requirements of each student.