Karen Pollard, Program Director
kpollard@uarts.edu
(215) 717-6328

C O N T E N T S

• Description    
• Program Objectives    
• Program Requirements

Description

The Master of Arts program in Museum Studies at the University of the Arts prepares students to excel as professionals in museums and other cultural institutions. The program allows students to explore the research, planning, design, creation, and delivery of stories  and information about museums and the work they do, through traditional, environmental, and digital communication channels. The program explores and prepares students for approaches to marketing and public relations, development and fundraising, advocacy and public policy, and community engagement and other relationship-building areas as they apply to the many internal and external audiences museums seek to engage.

Students put theory into action through inclusive practice with opportunities to work with real world clients and in collaborative teams. All of the programs in the UArts Museum Studies Department take advantage of collective and collaborative coursework within the department and the University to enrich students’ experiences beyond their specific focus. Museum Studies students have the advantage of being part of an art school which assures that professional practices include design thinking skills, media savviness, and creative problem solving as well as being research and theory based with practical project-based applications. Students participate in lectures, seminars, workshops, and field trips to museums, historic sites, galleries, and cultural agencies in Philadelphia and the surrounding Mid-Atlantic region. Visiting scholars and museum professionals give lectures and hold discussions groups on numerous aspects of museum practice.
 
Full-time Museum Studies students undertake a three-semester course of study and a six to eight week (240 hours) professional-level summer internship. Students conclude their degree program with a thesis or a practice-based capstone project.

Program Objectives

•     Communicate effectively (visually and verbally and in writing) with different audiences (audience, message and format)
•     Engage in design and strategic thinking
•     Conduct research to inform and improve practice
•     Interpret data and content in industry standard and innovative ways
•     Identify, strengthen and find value in their skills with teamwork and collaboration
•     Collaborate with other museum professionals and problem solve to improve team dynamics and outcomes
•     Demonstrate an understanding of museums (including history, formats, structures, and professional roles)

Program Requirements (45 credits)