MA in Museum Studies
To prepare current and future museum professionals to be the visionary leaders of museums in contemporary society, Johns Hopkins University offers an innovative Master of Arts in Museum Studies program. The format of the program itself—offered almost fully online—looks to the future. As an online program, we can offer the expertise of highly regarded professors and museum professionals from around the world, innovative virtual field trips, and global resources from a wide array of museums brought together in new and exciting ways. An international student body provides diverse perspectives and experiences in a dynamic online learning environment.
Museums are more relevant today than ever before. They are responsible for cultural stewardship and serve as a gathering place for communities, a space for reflection, interaction, participation, and learning (onsite and online), and act as an agent of social change. New demands and challenges are emerging in every aspect of the museum landscape. Innovations in information and communication technologies are being integrated into the core strategies of the museum. Museums are increasing in number, expanding in size, and attracting more diverse audiences every day. The museums of the 21st century need leaders who possess a vision for the future and the knowledge and skills to face the challenges ahead.
This program aims to provide a perspective on the theory and practice of museums in a changing technological, social, and political environment for current and future museum professionals. It emphasizes the role of technology as a pervasive aspect in today’s museum; examines new models of education, exhibition, and business strategies; and explores the role of the museum in a global society and as an agent of social change.
We welcome students interested in all types of museums, including history, technology, science, art, special topic or themed museums, historic sites, national parks, and zoos, and those interested in collections and exhibitions for corporations, government agencies, and private organizations.
Admissions Criteria for All Advanced Academic Programs
PROGRAM-SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS
In addition to the materials and credentials required for all programs, the Master of Arts in Museum Studies also requires:
- Resume
- Statement of Purpose: Please provide a statement, up to one page in length, describing your personal background and/or a part of your life experience that has shaped you or your goals. Feel free to elaborate on personal challenges and opportunities that have influenced your decision to pursue a graduate degree at Johns Hopkins.
- Two Recommendations
Program Requirements
Students must take a total of ten courses:
- One required core course
- Four customizable core courses
- Five elective courses
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Core Course - Required: | 3 | |
| Two-Week Onsite Seminar 1 | ||
| Core Courses - Customizable | 12 | |
| Select one of the following: | ||
| Exploring Museum Professions | ||
| Museums in the Digital Age | ||
| Select three of the following: | ||
| Introduction to Museum Education | ||
| Exhibition Strategies | ||
| The Business of Museums | ||
| History & Philosophy of Museums | ||
| Museum Evaluation and Audience Research | ||
| Collection Management | ||
| Foundations of Digital Curation | ||
| Electives | 15 | |
| Select five of the following: | ||
| Museums and Community Engagement | ||
| Museum Controversies: Ethical Issues in Museums | ||
| Museums, Race, and Inclusion | ||
| Accessibility in the Museum | ||
| Evaluation Projects and Practice | ||
| Architecture of Museums | ||
AS.460.630 | ||
| Practice of Public History | ||
| Conservation-Restoration: A 21st Century Approach | ||
| Curatorship: Principles and Practices | ||
| Living Collections | ||
| Curating Online Exhibitions and Experiences | ||
AS.460.638 | ||
| Material Culture and the Modern Museum | ||
| Educational Programming for Museum Audiences | ||
| Shaping Reality: Immersive Technologies in the Museum | ||
| Fundamentals of Museum Fundraising | ||
| Social Media Strategies for Museums | ||
| Introduction to Archives | ||
| Collection Management Systems | ||
| Cataloging Museum Collections: History, Standards, and Applications | ||
| Digital Preservation | ||
| Managing Digital Information in Museums and Archives | ||
| Digital Curation Certificate Internship | ||
| Research/Capstone in Digital Curation | ||
| Leadership of Museums | ||
| Project Management in Museums | ||
| Museum Finance and the Economy | ||
| Private Collectors, Collections, and Museums | ||
| Culturally Specific Museums | ||
| Provenance Research: Connecting Histories | ||
| Science, Society, and the Museum | ||
| Museum Internship | ||
| Museums in a Changing Time: Virtual Seminar | ||
| Museum Studies Virtual Field Course | ||
| Museum Projects | ||
| Total Credits | 30 | |
1 Substitution Option: Students unable to participate in the onsite seminar must enroll in a virtual seminar option (AS.460.752 Museums in a Changing Time: Virtual Seminar or AS.460.753 Museum Studies Virtual Field Course) to fulfill related components of the MA degree requirement. Students may also request to substitute the Cultural Heritage Management Seminar (AS.465.708) to substitute for the Museum Studies seminar.
Learning Outcomes
Graduates of the Master of Arts in Museum Studies program should be able to:
- Understand the roles and responsibilities of museums and museum practitioners in changing times.
- Develop practical skills in museum work, including communication, collaboration, and planning.
- Generate solutions to current challenges facing museums.
- Analyze museum practices, theories, and methodologies through the lens of diversity, equity, accessibility, and inclusion.
- Analyze the intersection of museum practice and technology.