A Complete Museum Studies Guide: Degrees, Jobs and Average salaries
Introduction
Museum studies also known as Museology is a broad field of study that deals with the history, objectives and functioning of museums from various angles. A degree in Museum Studies examines an intriguing world of museums and art institutions.
The history and functioning of museums, from the theoretical foundations to the nuts and bolts of daily operation, is examined in this interdisciplinary field.
A wide knowledge of the various aspects of museum operations, such as curation, exhibition design, education and administration, is provided for students in Museum Studies programs. In museum studies students learn how the curator uses his vast knowledge and understanding of visitors to organize a show. These exhibitions aim to inform and stimulate visitors, through a story or an expression of the theme, by placing objects and works carefully placed in front of them.
For people who are interested in science, art, history or culture and wish to share their enthusiasm with the wider public, this course is an excellent option. You can transform your passion into a rewarding career that contributes to the preservation and sharing of knowledge and cultural heritage by obtaining a degree in museum studies.
In order to prepare you for this thrilling and fulfilling career, the museum studies programs have given you a combination of theoretical knowledge along with practical applications.
Museum Studies Degree Programs
Bachelor’s Degree
A bachelor’s degree in museum studies provides a comprehensive understanding of museums, such as their history, how to manage collections, how to design exhibits and cultural institutions, for four years. It comes up with a variety of career paths in the museum field to be pursued by graduates with an extensive theoretical background and professional experience.
Core Curriculum
- Introduction to Museum Studies
- Museum Theory & History
- Collections Management
- Curatorial Studies
- Exhibition Design
- Museum Education
- Museum Management
Careers with a bachelor’s degree
- Curator
- Registrar
- Exhibition Developer/Manager
- Museum Educator
- Archivist
- Museum Administrator
- Collections Manager
- Preparator
- Museum Outreach Coordinator
A bachelor’s degree in Museum Studies opens the door to a number of rewarding careers within museums, galleries, historical societies and other cultural institutions. Through engaging exhibitions, educational programs and the preservation of valuable collections, it will enable you to become a guardian of cultural heritage and contribute to enriching visitors lives.
While a bachelor’s degree in museum studies may lead to various entry to mid level job positions, it is important to note that many museums prefer candidates with master’s degrees in higher level positions such as curator, museum director, and senior management positions.
Museum Studies Master’s Program
A specialised Master’s degree in Museum Studies is a postgraduate training program designed to enhance your knowledge and improve your leadership skills within the museums and cultural institutions. Master’s degrees usually last 1-2 years and go deeper into the topic. This program is aimed at those who have a solid foundation in museum studies or related fields and are looking for advanced expertise in certain areas.
Admission requirements for Master’s in Museum Science generally requires a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university, or equivalent international credential and a minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.
Core Curriculum
- Advanced Museum Theory & Management
- Collections Management and Curation
- Exhibition Development & Interpretation
- Museum Education and Interpretation
- Museum Administration and Leadership
- Ethics and Legal Issues in Museums
- Thesis or Capstone Project
Note: Courses might vary depending on the specialization of the program.
Careers with a master’s degree
- Chief Curator
- Director/Executive Director
- Museum Educator Director
- Conservator
- Museum Registrar
- Museum Program Director
- Museum Administrator
- Cultural Heritage Specialist
- Archivist
A master’s degree in museology will prepare you for a career on the leading edge of this field. This will enable you to become a leader, an innovator and the guardian of cultural heritage, make substantial contributions to museums as well as shape the future of art institutions.
It’s important to choose a specialization that matches your expertise with specific career objectives and increases your marketability. Internships at reputable museums are offered in many programs, providing valuable professional experience. It’s important to choose a specialization that matches your expertise with specific career objectives and increases your marketability.
Master’s degree also allow students to create networks with museum professionals, which is essential for building connections and learning about work opportunities.
Doctorate in Museum Studies
The highest academic level in this field is the Doctor of Museum Studies, also known as a Ph.D. for museum studies or museology. It is a rigorous program designed for individuals with a strong background in museum studies and a specific research interest that they wish to explore in depth.
The admission process is highly competitive, requiring a strong academic background, relevant research experience, and a well defined research proposal.
Students will have to carry out detailed research under the direction of your dissertation adviser on a particular topic. This is followed by a written thesis defending your original research and its contribution to the field.
Focus
Unlike other degree programs that goes with theory and practicals, a doctorate/Ph.D heavily focuses on independent research. Through your dissertation, you’re going to be contributing original knowledge in the Museum area.
If you are interested in becoming a professor, you will have to take advanced courses on museum theory, research methods relevant to your specialization and possibly other pedagogical subjects.
Ph.D. programs often encourage specialization in a particular area. This may include the study of museum education, digital humanities in museums, conservation science, museum management within a specific context such as natural history museums.
In addition, it should be noted that there are other opportunities for Ph.D. degrees in this area through interdisciplinarity programs combining museum studies with fields such as anthropology, history, art and education.
Career Paths includes Museum Leadership, Professorship, Independent Researcher, Museum Policy Specialist and more.
Pros & Cons of a Museum Studies Degree
Pros:
This degree allows you to transpose your passion into a fulfilling career path specially for those who are passionate about art, history, science and culture. It will prepare you for a wide range of skills, from curating and exhibition design to teaching and museum management.
In addition to preserving and sharing cultural heritage, providing lifelong learning as well as stimulating public involvement, this degree opens doors for a number of museums, historical societies, cultural centers or even auctions.
According to U.S Bureau of Labor Statistics demand for skilled museum professionals is expected to grow 12% by 2031 in United States, indicating rewarding careers.
Cons:
While museum studies degree can open doors to various career paths, to acquire a job in this field is highly competitive, and many establishments require people with extensive experience in addition to a degree.
Depending on experience, size of the institution and its location, museum salaries can differ. Initially, one might not receive a handsome salary to start with.
In order to keep pace with changing trends, museums are constantly evolving, requiring continuous professional development. This usually includes the use of digital technologies, which may call for further training and workshops.
A gap may exist between theoretical knowledge acquired through a degree program and the practical realities of working in a museum, which may not always correspond to best practice.
Museum Studies Average salaries
| Job Position | Average Salary |
| Curator | $69,392 – $78,647 |
| Museum Registrar | $65,000 – $75,000 |
| Museum Program Director | $82,000 – $87,000 |
| Museum Administrator | $64,000 – $80,000 |
| Cultural Heritage Specialist | $79,000 – $79,345 |
| Archivist | $58,000 to $70,000 |
| Collections Manager | $70,000 – $90,000 |
| Preparator | $50,000 |
| Museum Outreach Coordinator | $60,472 |
| Conservator | $50,3372 |
| Museum Educator Director | $57,0002 |
| Director/Executive Director | $72,7832 |
Top Universities Offering Museum Studies
| University | Highlights |
|---|---|
| Johns Hopkins University | – Ranked #1 for Museum Studies – Offers a Master of Arts in Museum Studies |
| New York University (NYU) | – Offers a Master of Arts in Museum Studies – Requires 32 credits, 24 of which must be museum studies courses – Includes a 50-page MA thesis and 200-hour internship |
| Tufts University | – Offers various master’s programs in Museum Studies – Options include MA in Art History and Museum Studies, MA in History and Museum Studies, MA in Museum Education, and MFA and Museum Studies |
| Harvard University | – Offers a Master’s Degree Program in Museum Studies – Allows students to focus on areas like collections management, exhibition design, museum education, technologies & the operation of museums. |
| University of the Arts | – Offers internship opportunities with the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, Baltimore Museum of Art, and Walters Art Museum |
| Western Colorado University | – Offers a fully funded M.A. in Art & Museum Studies through the Tuition Exchange program – Does not require the GRE |
| University of Delaware | – Offers a Museum Studies major |
| Baylor University | – Offers a Museum Studies major |
| Rochester Institute of Technology | – Emphasizes co-op experiences in many academic programs – Students can earn both a bachelor’s and master’s degree through accelerated programs |
| University of Oklahoma | – Offers an Online Bachelor of Arts in Art – Museum Studies program |
| University of St. Thomas (MN) | – With a 13:1 student-to-faculty ratio, there are plenty of opportunities for students to engage with and gain knowledge from qualified faculty members. |
| University of Tulsa | – Opportunities for students to gain practical experience through internships and projects with the Gilcrease Museum, a world famous museum of art history and culture. |
These universities are widely acknowledged for their extensive courses, high quality faculty and outstanding facilities. It provides students with a combination of academic knowledge and practical application, which introduces them to rewarding careers.
