Museum Management Course Requirements

The GW Museum Studies program is a 36-credit degree. Upon entering the program, every student selects a Museum Studies concentration in one of four areas:

Museum Management
Collections Management
Exhibitions and Visitor Experience
Public Engagement

All students will complete one core course entitled Museum Ethics & Values, one internship, five

(5) courses as required in the selected concentration, and five (5) electives. Electives may be drawn from within Museum Studies (including a second internship) or up to four (4) courses from outside the program (including a certificate in non-profit management from the Trachtenberg School).

Throughout your program, you should work with your advisor to ensure that you will meet program requirements and your own career and educational goals.

Museum Management Concentration

Students learn the overall administrative functions of museums to become effective managers and leaders at any level within the organization. Courses address governance, finances, human resources, fundraising, project management, marketing, and strategic and long-range planning. Prepares students for work as operations or business managers, department or division heads, project or team managers, and volunteer coordinators at large institutions or as executive directors or assistant directors at small institutions.

Required courses

CMST 6107 Museum Ethics and Values (during your first year) (Fall, Spring)
CMST 6501 Internship (available after your first semester) (Fall, Spring, Summer)
CMST 6101 Museum Management (Fall)
CMST 6102 Museum Financial Management (Spring, alternating years)
CMST 6104 Managing People and Projects (Spring)

Select one (2) courses from the following:

CMST 6105 Museum Fundraising (Fall, alternating years)
CMST 6106 Museum Marketing (Spring, alternating years)
CMST 6601 Museum Governance (Fall, alternating years)