Museum Studies
One of the nation’s most prestigious museum studies programs, in the heart of the nation’s capital
The George Washington University’s Museum Studies program offers a Master of Arts degree, Distance Learning courses, and On-Campus certificates. Each combines academic excellence with access to some of the most celebrated institutions in the world. Students gain knowledge about the state of museum work today, practical skills and the ability to critically engage with developments in the field.
Thanks to an exceptional faculty of scholars and practicing professionals, our pioneering programs are ranked among the top museum studies programs in the country. The dynamic learning opportunities offered online and both in and outside the classroom provide students with an unparalleled educational experience. You are given individualized attention in these supportive programs designed to prepare you for a successful museum career. Given the impressive placement of our alumni, our programs are a proven training ground for the next generation.
OUR PROGRAMS
OUR FACULTY
Our faculty are key to our program. Practitioners themselves, they provide an understanding of the knowledge and skills necessary to pursue successful museum careers. Our faculty are also actively involved in projects with their students.
HIGHLIGHTED INTERNSHIPS
PRIYA LEWIS
My internship at the NWP was an amazing opportunity I had in the summer of 2018.
Being a small but dynamic historic house and museum, I was not only an intern but an integral and equal contributor to the team. From accessioning, to inventorying the collection, to implementing the barcoding system and to attending a two-day workshop planning future interpretative strategy, I learnt something new every day. Donning many hats in the course of the internship, my most valuable take away from is – To take initiative, plan, and think beyond the period of your internship! Look at the big picture because your small initiative will someday go a long way, in ways you wouldn’t even imagine right away...!
ANDREW RAMSEY
As an intern at The National Museum of Natural History I worked with the collections manager of the Education and Outreach Department. Over the course of my internship I had the opportunity to assist with both the day to day tasks of collections management as well as a significant project in the form of a large collections move. My experience was invaluable because it provided me with the chance to combine my knowledge of the ideal world of museums presented in textbooks with the limitations of the real world. The relationships I made there continue to provide me with opportunities to work with amazing people and on amazing projects.
JENNIFER SCHNEIDER
During my time as the James Lollar Hagan Exhibition Development Intern at the National Museum of American History, I was able to practice many of the evaluation methods featured in Dr. Kym Rice’s Exhibition Development class. I had the opportunity to work alongside some of the nation’s best to develop a new women’s history exhibition and to evaluate recently-opened exhibitions. I gained hands-on experience with formative and remedial evaluation methods. The different evaluations I devised and performed allowed me to learn what makes an effective evaluation and complete data analyses to create post-evaluation documents for use by exhibition teams.
WHERE OUR GRADUATES WORK
FINE AND DECORATIVE ART MUSEUMS
- National Gallery of Art
- Philadelphia Museum of Art
- J. Paul Getty Museum
HISTORY MUSEUMS AND CENTERS, HISTORICAL SOCIETIES
- Virginia Historical Society
- National Museum of African American History and Culture
- US Holocaust Memorial Museum
HISTORIC SITES
- President Lincoln’s Cottage
- Mount Vernon
- Lower East Side Tenement Museum
NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUMS, SCIENCE CENTERS, AND AQUARIA
- National Museum of Natural History
- Field Museum (Chicago)
- New England Aquarium
OTHER MUSEUMS
- Newseum
- National Building Museum
- Baseball Hall of Fame
GOVERNMENT AGENCIES AND SITES WASHINGTON DC (AREA)
- United States Supreme Court
- Historic Congressional Cemetery
- Library of Congress
ADMISSIONS
While our applicants follow the graduate admissions process, each of our programs may have specific requirements. Review the Master of Arts, On-Campus Certificate and Distance Education Certificate requirements to understand if you are eligible to apply and what you must include in your application. There are various opportunities through our department and across GW that can help you fund your education. For example:
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MA students may be eligible for partial Dean’s Fellowships.
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Other fellowships are available through the Office of Assistantships & Fellowships.
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The Office of Student Financial Assistance provides information on financial aid options and packages. Many students work while completing the program.
COSTS & FUNDING
The Student Accounts Office provides up to date cost information on our program. We do offer some partial fellowships to MFA students each year. To be considered for a fellowship, you must apply for fall admission. You may also find fellowships through the Office of Fellowships & Assistantships. The Office of Student Financial Assistance also has more information on aid opportunities.
CONTACT US
Samson Hall, 2036 H Street, NW
Third Floor
[email protected]
202-994-7030
Facebook
Enter through Corcoran Hall, 725 21st St, NW. Take elevator or stairs to the second floor and enter Samson Hall through the door to your right.
Program Administrator
Roxann Edwards
[email protected]
Program Head, Associate Professor for Museum Studies,
Director of Graduate Studies
Laura Schiavo
[email protected]
INFORMATION SESSION
We invite you to join us for an online information session and Q&A with Laura Schiavo, Program Head and Associate Professor for Museum Studies, about our Master of Arts in Museum Studies. Learn how our Museum Studies program combines traditional academic training with museum practices and practical museum experience in order to prepare students for successful museum careers. You'll also have the opportunity to ask us any questions you have about our program and the application process.
MA in Museum Studies Information Session (CCAS)
Date: Tuesday, December 4, 2018
Time: 7:00-8:00 p.m. EST
Location: Online
REQUEST INFORMATION
