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Program Overview

The degree is designed to be flexible. Students can complete the Master of Arts in Museum Studies full-time in four semesters, including all coursework and a required internship. Students can attend courses in person on the Quad City Campus or from off-campus via live stream and online course delivery.

Courses ground students in the historical foundations of museums and promote the critical examination of current practice while encouraging problem-solving to meet the needs of a changing field. Emphasis is placed on experiential and professional learning opportunities tailored to each student’s area of interest.

Degree Requirements

The Master of Arts in Museum Studies curriculum includes 38-semester coursework and internship hours. Students must take the five core courses presenting concepts and competencies in museum foundations, administration, collections management, exhibitions, and museum education and evaluation. Course descriptions, program policies, and requirements in the Graduate Catalogue under Museum Studies.

Students select five directed electives that align with their interests. Students may select directed electives from outside the department that provide targeted concepts and skill sets.

Core Courses (5 courses/ 15 s.h.)

  • Museum Origins (3)
  • Museum Administration (3)
  • Museum Exhibition (3)
  • Museum Collections Management (3)
  • Museum Education (3)

Directed Electives (5 courses/15 s.h.)

The program is customizable to meet your individual needs and professional goals.

  • Historic House Museums (3)
  • Visitor Studies (3)
  • Independent Study (1–3, repeatable to 6)
  • Practicum in Museums (1–3, repeatable to 3)
  • Museum Ethics (3)
  • Museums and Social Justice (3)
  • Material Culture (3)
  • Engaging Museum Audiences (3)

Culminating Internship and Professional Seminar (2 courses/8 s.h.)

Students complete an in-depth museum internship experience at the end of the program and attend the Museum Seminar that focuses on the development of a professional portfolio and networking.

  • Museum Internship (4)
  • Museum Seminar and Portfolio (4)

Example Program Timeline

This is an example of a degree plan for a full-time graduate student starting in the fall semester.

Semester 1: Fall

4 courses, 10 s.h.

Museum Origins, 3s.h.

Museum Education, 3 s.h.

Museum Special Topic (elective), 3 s.h.

Museum Seminar, 1 s.h.

Semester 2: Spring

4 courses, 10 s.h.

Museum Exhibitions, 3 s.h.

Museum Collections, 3 s.h.

Museums and Social Justice (elective), 3 s.h.

Museum Seminar, 1 s.h.

Semester 3: Summer

4 courses, 10 s.h.

Museum Administration, 3 s.h.

Museum Practicum (elective), 3 s.h.

Historic House Museums (elective), 3 s.h.

Museum Seminar, 1 s.h.

Semester 4: Fall

2 courses and Exit Internship, 10 s.h.

Museum Special Topics (elective), 3 s.h.

Museum Seminar, 1 s.h.

Museum Internship, 4 s.h.

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the Master of Arts in Museum Studies, you will be able to:

  1. Apply in museum settings various museology skills and competencies (e.g., administration, education, exhibitions, collections management, visitor studies).
  2. Demonstrate professional competencies in 3 areas:
    1. professional performance
    2. professional disposition
    3. communication/interpersonal skills

Integrated Programs

The WIU Museum Studies Graduate Program supports integrated degree programs with several undergraduate programs in various disciplines. Students in the integrated program can use nine semester hours that satisfy the requirements for undergraduate and graduate degrees, decreasing the total time to complete the master of arts degree. The Museum Studies Graduate Program offers the following integrated programs:

  • Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology/Master of Arts in Museum Studies
  • Bachelor of Arts in Art/Master of Arts in Museum Studies
  • Bachelor of Fine Arts in Art/Master of Arts in Museum Studies
  • Bachelor of Science in Recreation, Parks, and Tourism Administration/Master of Arts in Museum Studies

In addition, the program holds integrated program agreements with other colleges and universities. Currently, these include:

  • St. Ambrose University Bachelor of Arts in Art History/WIU Master of Arts in Museum Studies
  • Wartburg College Bachelor of Arts in History/WIU Master of Arts in Museum Studies
  • University of Northern Iowa Bachelor of Arts in History/WIU Master of Arts in Museum Studies

Use this link to learn more about the details and requirements regarding Integrated Programs - Western Illinois University (wiu.edu).

Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Museum Studies

The 18-semester hour Post-Baccalaureate Certificate (PBC) in Museum Studies allows students who have obtained a master’s degree or are currently enrolled in a graduate program in another discipline to explore the field of museum work. The degree offers a foundation in museum work while providing space to add electives in areas of interest.

Certificate Requirements:

  • Core Course: MST 501 Museum Administration (three)
  • Directed Electives: Select three courses, 12 semester hours
  • Museum Practicum Experience: MST 560 Practicum in Museums (three)