Museum Studies
MASTER OF ARTS
One of the nation’s most prestigious museum studies programs, in the heart of the nation’s capital
Established in 1976, the Master of Arts in Museum Studies at George Washington University responds to the evolving museum profession by combining hands-on training with future-focused theoretical engagement. Students gain foundational knowledge about the state of museum work today, practical skills and the ability to critically engage with developments in the field. Coursework offers both breadth and depth in Collections Management, Museum Management, Exhibitions and Visitor Experience, and Public Engagement.
Our students come from a range of academic disciplines, from history and anthropology to art history and the natural sciences. Our location in the nation’s museum capital offers a unique opportunity to connect to national and global conversations at the cutting edge of museum practice.
INFORMATION SESSIONS
Date: September 24, 2024
Time: 8:00-9:00 a.m.
Location: Online
Date: October 29, 2024
Time: 9:00-10:00 p.m.
Location: Online
Date: January 7, 2025
Time: 7:00-8:00 p.m.
Location: Online
WHAT YOU'LL STUDY
The MA program of study is structured so that students can personalize their academic experience to accomplish their own goals. All students complete 36-credit hours, including:
- one core course entitled Museum Ethics & Values
- one internship
- five (5) courses as required in the selected track
- five (5) electives which may be drawn from within Museum Studies (including a second internship) or from outside the program. Up to four (4) non-museum studies courses are permitted.
Students also complete a comprehensive exam in their track, fulfill the graduate writing requirement and give an oral presentation related to their internship.
Our 36-credit program can be completed by full-time students in two academic years. Part-time study is also permitted, but the program must be completed in a maximum of four years.
MUSEUM STUDIES TRACKS
Every student in the MA program selects a Museum Studies track in one of four areas:
- Museum Management (PDF)
- Collections Management (PDF)
- Exhibitions and Visitor Experience (PDF)
- Public Engagement (PDF)
Throughout the program, students work with an academic advisor to ensure that they meet program requirements and their own career and educational goals.
INTERNSHIPS
All students are required to complete at least one internship, although many students benefit from taking two 3-credit internships. Students typically intern within their track and may choose to intern in the D.C. area or in another location. Utilizing the connections of our faculty and the proximity of our campus, our students have found opportunities at many acclaimed cultural institutions.
THROUGH INTERNSHIP EXPERIENCES, MUSEUM STUDIES STUDENTS HAVE WORKED ON
- Film preservation at the Archives Center at the National Museum of American History
- Collections management at the British Museum in London and at the National Museum of Natural History
- Exhibition development and marketing at the Newseum and George Washington’s Mount Vernon
- Curatorial research for exhibits at the National Postal Museum
- and provenance research at the National Gallery of Art
DUAL MASTER OF ARTS IN THE FIELD OF MUSEUM STUDIES AND GRADUATE CERTIFICATE IN NONPROFIT MANAGEMENT
The Museum Studies program and the Trachtenberg School of Public Policy and Public Administration together offer a dual master of arts in the field of museum studies and graduate certificate in nonprofit management program. Nine of the 12 credits required for the certificate may be shared with the master's program. This allows students to earn both credentials in a shorter period and at a lower cost than if pursued separately. All requirements for both programs must be fulfilled.
ADMISSIONS
All applicants must have an undergraduate degree and follow the graduate application process by the appropriate deadlines. The deadline for fall admission is February 1. The deadline for spring admission is October 1.
Admissions Requirements
COSTS & FUNDING
The Student Accounts Office provides up to date cost information on our program. We do offer some partial fellowships to MA 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.
Em Petro, MA 2024
Em Petro is an emerging museum professional with a focus in Exhibitions and Visitor Experience. During their time at GW, Em worked as an Exhibitions Assistant at the Corcoran School, where they explored work in art handling, installation, and exhibition development. With their new understanding of installation, Em hopes to combine their professional skills to create balance with their recreational practice. Em’s passion for learning reinforces their commitment to understanding the potential of museums in influencing public perception, and has pushed them towards creating positive, innovative, and disruptive change through their practice.
WHERE YOU'LL GO
Our students benefit from a strong alumni network working in museums throughout the world. In addition, practitioners from some of the nation’s leading museums and policymakers at the forefront of cultural debates are frequent participants at discussions in the classroom. The program’s affiliations with more than 60 museums and cultural organizations enables students to immerse themselves in world-class venues as they learn from some of the nation’s leading museum professionals.
WHERE OUR ALUMNI WORK
FINE AND DECORATIVE ART MUSEUMS
- National Gallery of Art
- National Museum of Women in the Arts
- Philadelphia Museum of Art
- Metropolitan Museum of Art
- J. Paul Getty Museum
- Hillwood Estate, Museum and Gardens
- Virginia Museum of Fine Arts
- San Francisco Fine Arts Museum
- Portland (OR) Art Museum
- Mitchell Museum of Western Art
- Glenstone Museum
- Hirshhorn Museum and Gallery
- Textile Museum
- Albright Knox Museum
- Peabody Essex Museum
- Walters Museum
GOVERNMENT AGENCIES & SITES (WASHINGTON, DC)
- United States Supreme Court
- United States Capitol
- White House
- State Department, Diplomacy Museum
- National Archives and Records Administration
- Historic Congressional Cemetery
- Institute of Museum and Library Services
- Library of Congress
- National Museum of the US Army
- National Museum of the Marine Corps
HISTORY MUSEUMS, CENTERS, AND HISTORICAL SITES
- National Museum of American History
- National Museum of African American History and Culture
- US Holocaust Memorial Museum
- George Washington's Mount Vernon
- President Lincoln’s Cottage
- Tudor Place Historic House & Garden
- Lower East Side Tenement Museum
- DAR Museum
- Baseball Hall of Fame
- SPY Museum
- C&O Canal Trust
HISTORIC SITES
- George Washington's Mount Vernon
- President Lincoln’s Cottage
- Tudor Place Historic House & Garden
- Lower East Side Tenement Museum
MUSEUM ASSOCIATIONS
- American Alliance of Museums
- Association of Children’s Museums
- Virginia Historical Society
- Gallagher & Associates
- D&P (Exhibition design and fabrication)
- Design Minds
NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUMS, SCIENCE CENTERS, AQUARIA
- National Museum of Natural History
- Field Museum (Chicago)
- New England Aquarium
CONTACTS
Campus Address
500 17th St NW, Office Suite 120, Washington, DC 20006
cmst
gwu [dot] edu (cmst[at]gwu[dot]edu)
202-994-0603
Program Information
Program Administrator
Nick Hemenway
cmstgwu [dot] edu (cmst[at]gwu[dot]edu)
Interim Program Head
Max van Balgooy
cmst_headgwu [dot] edu (cmst_head[at]gwu[dot]edu)
Advising
Co-Advisors
Suse Anderson
cmst_headgwu [dot] edu (cmst_head[at]gwu[dot]edu)
Schillica Howard
schillica [dot] howardgwu [dot] edu (schillica[dot]howard[at]gwu[dot]edu)
Laura Schiavo
lbschiavogmail [dot] com (lbschiavo[at]gmail[dot]com)
Max van Balgooy
mvanbalgooygwu [dot] edu (mvanbalgooy[at]gwu[dot]edu)