Tufts University, Department of Education

This is the review for the Museum Education program offered by Tufts University. This is a two-year program through the Education Department that includes Museum Studies courses in its curriculum. This program includes the Museum Studies Graduate Certificate program that can also be completed by itself.

• About 35 students are accepted yearly
• The two-year program requires students to complete five museum studies courses, two education courses and four elective courses on a topic of the student’s choice
• The GRE is required

This information was found here and here.

Tufts University, Museum Studies Certificate

This is the review for the Museum Studies Certificate offered at Tufts University. Students can earn the Certificate by completing five courses, including one internship course. This is built for working professionals with classes offered in the evening and the option to complete the program as a part-time student. The University also offers combination options with the Department of Art and Art History, History, and Education.

• Recently, the program has admitted two-thirds of its applicants
• The program does not require the GRE and only requires one letter of recommendation
• The internship course requires students to complete 200 hours of the internship
• Offers four different concentrations, History, Art History, Education or Classics.

This information is found here, and here.

Bank Street College of Education

This is the review for Bank Street College of Education’s Museum Education department that offers three different programs. There is the Museum Education: Childhood with certification for those interested in teaching in a school classroom or without certification for those interested in teaching outside of a school classroom. Third, there is the Leadership in Museum Education program for those already working in museums. Here are some more fast facts about the program and college:

• To apply for the Leadership in Museum Education program, students must have at least three years of museum experience. The program is for two years, with classes meeting one weekend a month and one week in June each year.
• The Museum Education: Childhood programs, students student teach at a school in the fall and intern at a museum in the spring
• With the certification option, students are eligible for New York state Childhood General Education, grades 1 through 6
• At the end of any of these three programs, students earn an MS in Education
• The College was founded by Lucy Sprague Mitchell; another awesome woman to acknowledge during Women’s History Month

Interview with Gillian Suss for Seton Hall University

This is the first interview for Seton Hall University featuring Gillian Suss. She graduated in 2009 and currently works at an art museum as a Collection Management Assistant. Thank you, Gillian, for these answers!

 

Why did you choose Seton Hall University?

I chose Seton Hall because it felt like the best “fit” for me. I really wanted a program that would provide me with hands-on learning opportunities, and I believe that the registration and collections management courses at SHU did that. I was also able to save money while going to SHU by living at my parents’ house and through a part- and then full-time assistantship with the program.

University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee

This is the review for the program at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. This is also the first review of a stand-alone Museum Studies Graduate Certificate program! If you aren’t familiar with the program here are some facts about the Graduate Certificate program and university:

• Established in 1963 by UWM and the Milwaukee Public Museum. Classes are taught off-campus at the Milwaukee Public Museum
• Any graduate student at UWM may apply. The certificate program is within the anthropology department though students from any department (History, Zoology, Library Science, etc.) may earn the Museum Studies Graduate Certificate.
• UWM also offers a separate Art Museum Graduate Certificate. To earn that certificate, students must be enrolled in the Art History MA program. I have not received any survey responses concerning this program. If I do, this program will have its own blog post.

Interview with Betsy Deiterman for Texas Tech University

This is the first interview discussing the program at Texas Tech University. Thank you, Betsy, for providing some insight into your graduate school experience. Betsy graduated in 2015 and currently works as the Volunteer and Group Coordinator at a science museum.

Why did you choose Texas Tech University?

Native Texan. Preferred to go to a Texas school. The only other option at the time was Baylor in Waco, a private school ($$$) vs public, and I didn’t want to attend Baylor.

Interview with Kate Warfield for the University of Missouri-St. Louis

Kate graduated with an M.A. in History and a concentration in Museum Studies in 2013. Currently, she works as a Collection Specialist for a history museum. Thank you, Kate, for providing this look into your graduate school experience!

 

Why did you choose the University of Missouri-St. Louis?

I choose UMSL for a few reasons, but the most important reason to me was that they placed me into an assistantship with a museum partner in the community.  I was given the opportunity to work with one-on-one with a curator that has since become a professional role model at the Missouri History Museum on meaningful exhibit work.  It gave me years of experience and helped me make connections in the museum world that are still beneficial to me today – all with the added benefit and helping me pay for school.  It really was the best option for me.