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Best Universities offering graduate programs in Museum, Museology and Curatorial Studies
Masters degrees in Museum and Curatorial Studies help the students to develop the skills needed to successfully select and arrange a collection of significant artifacts. A Masters in Museum and Curatorial Studies set up the students perfectly for a career in the arts, history, or design. Many courses give the students a chance to take part in a work placement or an internship with a cultural institution, allowing them to develop valuable, real-world experience of the area.
What are the Differences Between a Master’s in Library Science and a Master’s in Museum Studies?
The biggest difference between an Master's in Library Science and a Master’s in Museum Studies is that a library science degree is more oriented towards the science and technology of classification, while a Master’s in Museum Studies is focused upon the conceptual aspects of curation. Additionally, many people with graduate degrees in library science claim that their degree qualifies them for work in museums, while a Master’s in Museum Studies is purely applicable to museums.
However, if you have a Master’s in Library Science, you will not learn the practices of preservation, conservation, or restoration (unless you are in a program that specializes in rare books). A Master’s in Museum Studies prepares you for the responsible treatment and care of ancient or delicate objects.
See the Best Universities offering graduate programs in Library Science for more information on Library Science Masters program.
There are 31 schools offering graduate degrees in Museum, Museology and Curatorial Studies. New York University had highest number of international students receiving a Master's degree. Johns Hopkins University had the most women graduates in this program.

The Master of Liberal Arts (ALM) in Museum Studies program at Harvard College provides students with in-depth knowledge of twenty-first-century museum operations, such as program development and evaluation, visitor engagement and education, collections care and research, fundraising, marketing, and legal issues. Students learn more about exhibition conception and design, museum technology, public outreach, communications, and social media.
Master of Liberal Arts (ALM) in Museum Studies
Harvard University admission requirements for graduate programs in Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies- GRE Required: Yes
- Research assistantships: 864
- Teaching assistantships: 1388
- Financial Aid:

The free-standing MA in Museum Anthropology is a professional degree for those who work in or want to work in museums. This program combines the strengths of a leading academic department of anthropology and an innovative museum anthropology department, whose collections and archives span the discipline's history and global scope. Students in the program are prepared to interpret ethnographic and archaeological collections to the general public, work in registration or collections management, and become scientific, educational, or research staff at various levels at facilities ranging from small local museums to larger institutions.
MA in Museum Anthropology
GRE score required at Columbia University in the City of New York master's degree programs in Museum, Museology and Curatorial Studies- GRE Required: Yes
- Research assistantships: 1081
- Teaching assistantships: 1757
- Financial Aid:

The MA in Museum Studies program offers the theory and practice of all aspects of the museum field, teaching innovative skills and knowledge to meet the challenges of the 21st century. 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.
Prepare for 21st-century museum leadership and stewardship with a master’s degree in museum studies at Johns Hopkins. With a focus on technology’s role in the field, the program explores how museums can attract new visitors, increase engagement, and transform experiences for today’s diverse audiences.
Access your course work — and collections from museums around the world — from wherever you are. Available 90% online, the MA in Museum Studies program is flexible enough to fit your scheduling needs and also highly interactive, providing an enriching learning experience filled with virtual field trips and engaging discussions.
MA in Museum Studies
GRE score required at Johns Hopkins University master's degree programs in Museum, Museology and Curatorial Studies- GRE Required: Yes
- Research assistantships: 2378
- Teaching assistantships: 304
- Financial Aid:
126 universities offer the Master's program in Museum, Museology and Curatorial Studies.
Which one best suits your need?

The Art and Museum Studies core course and electives are designed to stimulate discussion and to provide first-hand experience of museum specializations. Students may emphasize academic study of art and museums or an area of professional museum work such as education or curatorship, but all members of the program will have some experience in both kinds of study. Most courses meet frequently at area museums. The sample courses listed here are for general information only seminar topics vary from year to year.
Art and Art History
Georgetown University admission requirements for graduate programs in Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies- GRE Required:
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The two-year master's program in Art History and Museum Studies integrates the theoretical study of art history with practical concerns of displaying, managing, and interpreting art objects in a variety of museum settings. After completing the degree, you will be well prepared for careers in museums, art galleries, art publishing, museum education, teaching, art libraries, visual resource collection, or auction houses.
Designed for those hoping to work in art collection-related fields, the master's program in Art History and Museum Studies, offered by the Department of the History of Art and Architecture, provides advanced qualifications in art history and a broad introduction to museum work. As a student in the program, you'll take courses in art history and museum studies simultaneously. With the consultation of a faculty advisor, you'll also complete independent research and either a thesis or two qualifying papers.
Masters in Art History and Museum Studies
GRE score required at Tufts University master's degree programs in Museum, Museology and Curatorial Studies- GRE Required:
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The Master of Arts degree requires completion of 32 points, of which at least 24 must be within the Program in Museum Studies. Students must complete five core courses. Three core courses provide an understanding of the historical and theoretical ground of current museum practice, both nationally and internationally, History and Theory of Museums, MSMS-GA 1500; a focused introduction to the creation of exhibitions and the management of collections, Museum Collections and Exhibitions, MSMS-GA 1501; and a comprehensive account of the administrative, strategic, and financial aspects of museum management, Museum Management, MSMS-GA 1502. Students also enroll in the Museum Studies Research Seminar, MSMS-GA 3991; write an M.A. thesis; and enroll in Internship, MSMS-GA 3990, a project-based, 200-hour internship in a museum or appropriate cultural institution. Students must successfully complete Internship, MSMS-GA 3990, with a grade of B or better to receive the degree.
In addition to this broad grounding, students take four electives related to their particular interests: at least two courses in museum studies, and, if the student so chooses, one or two courses within a discipline connected to the sort of museum in which the student intends to work (history, anthropology, art history, etc.). The M.A. program must be completed within five years of admission.
Master of Arts in Museum Studies
GRE score required at New York University master's degree programs in Museum, Museology and Curatorial Studies- GRE Required:
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Museum Studies is an interdisciplinary program that serves multiple departments in the Colleges of Liberal Arts & Sciences and Fine and Applied Arts and the Graduate School of Library and Information Science. It is housed in the Department of Anthropology. The program offers a graduate minor in museum studies, effective Fall 2009. It also offers an undergraduate curriculum and serves as an informal hub of museum-related research on campus.
Museum Studies courses are offered each fall and spring term. The full range of courses is described below. Please check the university course information pages to see which courses are available for a specific term.
Graduate Minor in Museum Studies
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign admission requirements for graduate programs in Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies- GRE Required:
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The Master of Arts program in Museum Education is a program of study within the art education department at Boston University. Students learn to teach visual art in a museum setting, to design curricula for museum educational programs, and to perform curatorial and administrative duties associated with departments of museum education. The program prepares students to address the contemporary educational needs of an art museum through training in education, museum studies, and arts administration. Skills gained are also applicable to art education programming in history and science museums.
Museum education students take courses from three University departments: art history, art education, and arts administration. The Master of Arts in Museum Education program is designed for students who have earned BA or BFA degrees in visual arts or art history and who wish to teach in cultural institutions other than public schools.
MA in Museum Education
Boston University admission requirements for graduate programs in Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies- GRE Required:
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The Museology Graduate Program at the UW actively encourage students to try out as many different things as possible. Internships, classes, community events, research projects—all of these are great ways to explore what truly inspires the students. The courses are problem-based. Students think creatively and collaborate to design and build exhibits, create and evaluate educational programs, write grants and care for collections. The curriculum prepares students to work in museums as well as a broad range of other cultural organizations from parks to libraries to the symphony. The department emphasize transferable skills in learning and education, evaluation, design, and nonprofit management, which means our graduates can be innovators across museums and beyond.
Museology Master of Arts Program
GRE score required at University of Washington-Seattle Campus master's degree programs in Museum, Museology and Curatorial Studies- GRE Required:
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The Museum Education Program at GW prepares graduates as professional practitioners to meet the needs and interests of the public in museums and other lifelong learning environments. Students complete internships that provide real-world application of museum education and leadership principles. Graduates of the program take on positions as education directors, development and fundraising officers, event planners, docent/volunteer coordinators, and community-relationship coordinators.
There is no better place to examine museum education than in the heart of our nation's capital, Washington, DC. With close proximity to the White House, the Smithsonian Institution, Newseum, art galleries, and other national monuments, students are provided with rich environments to work, attend scholarly events, and hone their analytical skills.
Museum Education Program students balance academic study with supervised fieldwork at world-class institutions, where they build their skills and reputation as advocates for museum accessibility and accountability.
Master of Arts in Teaching in Museum Education
GRE score required at George Washington University master's degree programs in Museum, Museology and Curatorial Studies- GRE Required:
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What kind of scholarships are available for Graduate Programs in Museum, Museology and Curatorial Studies?
We have 10 scholarships awarding up to $70,304 for Masters program in for Museum, Museology and Curatorial Studies, targeting diverse candidates and not restricted to state or school-based programs.
Scholarship name | Amount | Credibility |
---|---|---|
Women in Science Graduate Fellowship | $32,000 | Medium |
SAA Native American Graduate Archaeology Scholarship | $11,000 | Medium |
ACHP-Smithsonian Cultural Heritage Fellowship | $7,000 | Medium |
Changemaker Scholarship for Masters Programs | $5,775 | High |
Hevey Ten-Week Graduate Student Fellowship: MINERAL SCIENCES | $4,000 | Medium |
Find scholarships and financial aid for Museum, Museology and Curatorial Studies graduate programs
Are there any one year masters programs in Museum, Museology and Curatorial Studies?
A full-time Master’s program is usually a 2-year program, but there are accredited and Nationally ranked universities that offer 1-year and 18-month Master’s programs. An 18-month program can be completed in one year because if you are able to complete the credit requirements, you can get the degree in 1 year.
5 Universities offer On-campus Masters's Program within One Year - 18 months. The tuition for a Master's can range from $11,996 to $55,168.
On-campus Masters 1 year - 18 months in Museum, Museology and Curatorial StudiesHow much does it cost to get a Master's in Museum, Museology and Curatorial Studies and how to find the most affordable Masters program?
Master's degree in Museum, Museology and Curatorial Studies is offered by 123 US universities. The tuition for the Master's degree can range from $11,996 per year at Western Illinois University to $57,666 at Boston University.
The tuition at public universities will be lower for in-state students when compared to private universities but you get more financial aid at private universities.
Most affordable Master's program in Museum, Museology and Curatorial StudiesAre there universities offering online Master's in Museum, Museology and Curatorial Studies?
Online Master's degree in Museum, Museology and Curatorial Studies is offered by 10 US universities. The tuition for the Master's degree can range from $20,350 per year at Western Colorado University to $20,350 at Western Colorado University.
Online Master's in Museum, Museology and Curatorial StudiesAre there colleges for the Museum, Museology and Curatorial Studies Masters program that do not require GRE/GMAT?
Quite a few accredited universities have waived off the GRE score requirements for admissions to Masters programs. 123 offer Graduate programs in Museum, Museology and Curatorial Studies. Below are listed 8 universities that do not require GRE/GMAT for admission to Master's program. For viewing the all the schools that have waived off GRE/GMAT for the admission, use Match Me Masters.
No GRE schools for Masters in Museum, Museology and Curatorial StudiesWhat is the GRE score required for admission to Master's degree in Museum, Museology and Curatorial Studies?
Gre score requirements differ from school to school. Most colleges do not publish the cutoff scores. For example 123 universities offer Master's programs in Museum, Museology and Curatorial Studies.
Georgetown University: PLEASE NOTE THAT THE GRADUATE RECORD EXAM (GRE) IS NO LONGER REQURED FOR APPLICATION OR ADMISSION TO OUR PROGRAM
University of Washington-Seattle Campus: **PLEASE NOTE: ** Museology does not require you to submit GRE scores to apply.
Gre score requirements for Master's program in Museum, Museology and Curatorial StudiesIs it worth getting a master's degree in Museum, Museology and Curatorial Studies?
Before you invest 2-3 years of your life and anywhere between $40,000 - $110,00 of your hard earned money, students do ask as to what is the return on investment on the Master's degree. Here are some of the statistics from bls.gov.
What are the differences between a Master’s in Museum Studies and a Master’s in Library Science?
The Master’s in Museum Studies includes common courses like Museum Management, Museum Culture, Exhibition Planning and Design, Museum Education, and Archival Principles. Whereas, the common courses in Master’s in Library Sciences include Collection Development, Cataloging, Classification of Materials, Information Sources and Services, and Information Technology.
In the Museum Studies Masters program, students will learn how to prepare informative and aesthetically pleasing exhibitions, how to tailor exhibitions to different public demographics, and they will also learn how to handle ancient artifacts, as well as practical tips for preservation. Whereas, in the Library Science Masters program, students learn how to utilize information and databases to obtain sources or find materials for patrons, how to curate a library collection to meet the needs of different demographics, and they will also learn how to use technology in order to network through various academic and social media platforms.
What is the career option for students with a Museology Master’s degree?
It is always good to know the career paths available before getting admitted into a degree. There are many career options available for students with a Masters degree in Museum studies like Museologist, Design Consultant, Museum Director, Research Assistant, Research Associate, Archivist, Collection Specialist, Curator, Educator, Library/Gallary Assistant, and Conservation Specialist.
The average salary for a student with a Master’s degree in Museum studies is $53,495 per year, as per PayScale.
Museum, Museology and Curatorial Studies is projected to grow 13 percent from 2016 to 2026, faster than average for all occupations. Median pay for Museum, Museology and Curatorial Studies in 2018 was $53,360. The number of jobs were 11170.
Are there universities offering Museum and Curatorial Studies Masters Program with No GRE requirements?
Yes, there are universities that offer Masters Program in Museum and Curatorial Studies without GRE. Check the universities offering Masters programs in Museum and Curatorial Studies which do not require GRE.
Are there Scholarships and Financial aid available for Graduate students in Museum, Museology, and Curatorial Studies?
A career in the museology profession is an encouraging prospect, due to the volume of scholarships and financial aid available. There is a current cultural movement to diversify the next generation of museum professionals.
Scholarships are available for graduate students in Museum, Museology, and Curatorial Studies from Universities as well as external agencies. See Scholarships and financial aid for Masters and graduate program in Museum, Museology and Curatorial Studies for more information.
Are there any fully funded Museum Studies Masters programs?
A master's program in museum studies is a great opportunity to develop and further your love of museums. You will be matched with a range of museum industry professionals through this kind of program, including curators, assistant curators, and other staff members. Coursework on subjects including archaeology, anthropology, history, and more will be part of the curriculum.
Fully funded assistantships and master's programs in museum studies are offered to assist students in covering the cost of their education.
Some of the universities that offer a fully funded master's program in museum studies include:
The University of Arts: With the kind assistance of the Richard C. von Hess Foundation, UArts is pleased to collaborate with three esteemed organizations to provide three internship opportunities to UArts Museum Studies students, including the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum in Boston, the Baltimore Museum of Art, and the Walters Art Museum, both in Baltimore.
Western Colorado University: The Tuition Exchange (TE) program will pay for your basic full tuition whether you are an in-state or out-of-state student. The TE scholarship is offered for up to eight semesters in a row.
Career Outlook
Overall employment of archivists, curators, and museum workers is projected to grow 19 percent from 2020 to 2030, much faster than the average for all occupations. About 4,900 openings for archivists, curators, and museum workers are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
The median annual wage for archivists, curators, and museum workers was $52,140 in May 2020. Number of Jobs in 2020 was 35,000.
Career Opportunities with master's degree in Museum, Museology and Curatorial Studies
Job Title | 2020 median Pay | Number of Jobs | Job Outlook | What they do |
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Curators | $52,140 | 35,000 | Overall employment of archivists, curators, and museum workers is projected to grow 19 percent from 2020 to 2030, much faster than the average for all occupations. About 4,900 openings for archivists, curators, and museum workers are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire. | Archivists and curators oversee institutions’ collections, such as of historical items or of artwork. Museum technicians and conservators prepare and restore items in those collections. |
Museum Technicians and Conservators | $52,140 | 35,000 | Overall employment of archivists, curators, and museum workers is projected to grow 19 percent from 2020 to 2030, much faster than the average for all occupations. About 4,900 openings for archivists, curators, and museum workers are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire. | Archivists and curators oversee institutions’ collections, such as of historical items or of artwork. Museum technicians and conservators prepare and restore items in those collections. |
How can I compare the Museum, Museology and Curatorial Studies Graduate Programs?
Compare the GRE score requirements, admission details, credit requirements and tuition for the Master's Program, from 126 universities offering Graduate School Programs in Museum, Museology and Curatorial Studies. Compare Graduate School Programs in Museum, Museology and Curatorial Studies
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Some of the universities offering master's program in museum studies also allow students to transfer the credits.
For example, San Francisco State University allows students to transfer a maximum of six units (or two, three-unit classes) with prior consultation and approval from the program director during the application process or at the time of admission for the Master of Arts in Museum Studies program.
And, Western State Colorado University allows students to transfer up to 2 credit for M.A. in Gallery and Museum Management (MGMM) program.
Learn more about Transfer Credits for Graduate programs.
For the list of more affordable programs in Museum, Museology and Curatorial Studies, see Most affordable Masters program in Museum, Museology and Curatorial Studies.
For more details, see Jobs, Salaries and Career after Masters in Museum, Museology and Curatorial Studies.