Master of Arts in Museum Studies

San Francisco State University

The Master of Arts Program in Museum Studies emphasizes universal skills and professional development competencies across key museum functions to maximize career pathways.
All graduate students must fulfill the same basic program requirements, and with advisor support, will individuate coursework and schedule of culminating experiences along one of six area focuses: collections management and registration museum education and public programming museum management and fundraising curatorship exhibition design or cultural property law and protection.

Program Learning Outcomes
Identify the core features of museum professionalism (stewardship, service to community, collaboration, mission, ethical codes, professional organizations, career development resources).
Outline the broad history of museums, their core organizational features, the social and political contexts of museums, and the role museums play in an increasingly global and diverse world.
Summarize knowledge of key areas in museum practice and theory, specifically in collections care, museum fundraising, and exhibition design.
Depending upon student emphasis, demonstrate significant knowledge of at least one of following key areas in museum research and practice: curatorship cultural property museum education and public programming registration/collections management museum management and fundraising and exhibition design.
Apply hands-on practical and professional skills in experiential, service-learning settings with campus and community museum partners to support critical thinking, problem-solving, community engagement, and leadership development.
Develop individual scholarship, creative activity, and museum professionalism through activities such as a written thesis, an exhibit component, an area of the written examination or professional activities.

College of Liberal and Creative Arts