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Course Requirements

All students earn an M.A. in Museum Studies.

CURRICULUM

The core curriculum offers grounding in the theory and practice of museums in a changing technological, social and political environment emphasizing the role of technology throughout the museum.  Elective courses address all aspects of the museum, from collections and exhibitions to marketing and development. Subject areas range from history and philosophy of museums to ethnically specific museums and cultural understanding. Within this varied curriculum, students work with an advisor to design a course of study that best suits their needs and interests.

Students must take a total of 10 courses

  • Introductory course: Museums in the Digital Age
  • At least three core courses
  • Five elective courses
  • Onsite summer seminar
  • Optional internship
    an internship or project at a student's local museum, approved by the associate program chair, may be substituted for one elective course.

Course Requirements

  • The Museum in the Digital Age
  • Onsite Summer Seminar
    a short, but intensive, period of on-ground museum experience is required to complete the M.A. in Museum Studies. This face-to-face summer classroom component takes place in Washington, DC, or in a suitably arranged location abroad. It is designed to encourage working with objects and gaining hands-on experience in a museum.

Core Courses (select at least three of four)

  • The Business of Museums
  • Museums in a Global Perspective
  • Exhibition Strategies
  • Introduction to Museum Education

Electives (select five)

  • History and Philosophy of U.S. Museums
  • Online Learning and Teaching in Museums
  • Managing Technology in Museums
  • Internet Strategies for Museums
  • Creating Museum Learning Environments with 21st century tools
  • Museum Information Systems: Strategic Planning
  • Information and Knowledge Management in the Museum
  • Museum Exhibitions in the Digital Age
  • Museums and the Web
  • Evaluation Techniques for Museums
  • Comprehensive Interpretative Plans On-Site and On-Line
  • Multimedia: Media Synergy in the Museum
  • New Technologies, Old Dilemmas: Ethics and the Museum Professional
  • Ethnically Specific Museums and Cultural Understanding
  • Building and Maintaining Museum Collections
  • Introduction to Collection Management
  • Museum and Exhibition Marketing and Development
  • Communication.org: Not-for-profits in the Digital Age
  • Architecture of Museums
  • The Alternative Space.
  • Artist as Critic: Facing Museum Issues
  • Museum Controversies: Ethical Issues in Museums
  • Museum Business Practice: Resource Allocation Decisions
  • Museum Business Practice: Understanding Procurement
  • Introduction to Museum Publishing
  • Museum Publications in a Global Age

Students may take up to two related courses in other Johns Hopkins University departments subject to the approval of the associate program chair.