Museum Studies

Master's Degree Program

Dr. Pamela J White
Director & Graduate Committee Chairperson
Office: WIU-Quad Cities Campus, Quad Cities Complex 1225, Moline, IL 61265
Telephone: (309) 762-3999 ext. 62340
Fax: (309) 762-6989
E-mail: PJ-White@wiu.edu
Website: wiu.edu/museumstudies
Location of Program Offering: Quad Cities/Figge Art Museum

Graduate Faculty

Faculty teaching in the Museum Studies program are full, associate, and temporary members of the graduate faculty from the Department of Art; Department of Recreation, Park and Tourism Administration; and museum professionals at the Figge Museum of Art and other institutions.

Program Description

The purpose of the Museum Studies Program is to educate students as to the history of museums, the various aspects of museum work to include administration, collections management, exhibition development, education, community development, tourism, and fund raising. Also, the program strives to acquaint students with the opportunities and problems faced by museums and museum personnel, and to create career opportunities for students who might seek employment in a museum. Emphasis is placed on practicum experiences involving such basic museum functions as exhibition, curatorial research, cataloging, acquisition, community service, education, and administration.

This program offers coursework through the departments of Art, and Recreation, Park and Tourism Administration working in conjunction with museum professionals at the Figge Art Museum in Davenport, Iowa.

Admission Requirements

It is expected that students enrolled in the program will hold at least a bachelor’s degree and be seriously committed to a career in museums, historical agencies, preservation organizations, or related institutions. No prior museum experience is required.

Requirements to be considered for admission into the program include:

  1. Official transcripts indicating a Bachelor’s degree (or foreign credentials equivalent to the U.S. bachelor’s degree) with a cumulative or last two years’ undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher
  2. TOEFL score of 600 (paper based), 250 (computer based), or 100 (internet based) or better for international applicants
  3. Three letters of recommendation
  4. A current resume
  5. An essay, professional in appearance and content, explaining your academic goals while pursuing graduate study in Museum Studies at WIU, and how your immediate and long-term plans will be met through this program

Preference will be given to applicants who come from backgrounds in the following areas: art; recreation, park and tourism administration; anthropology; education; and history.

After being accepted to the program but before beginning the program, students must purchase a “Museum Studies” membership at the Figge Art Museum. This fee will be paid to the Figge Art Museum to cover incidental expenses and admission to workshops held at the museum. The fee will include a 2-year membership to the Figge Art Museum. Students who do not complete the program in two years must purchase another 2-year membership.

Degree Requirements The Master of Arts degree in Museum Studies requires 34 semester hours of coursework including workshops, a portfolio, and a ten-week internship/special project.

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