Christina, 
Consider also who the instructors are.  Google them and see what kinds of qualifications they might have to be teaching the courses they are instructing.  See if you can find their publications and some of the places they have worked.  Sometimes you can even find their CVs online.  Future employers will certainly be Googling you.  A terrific course title might not end up being so terrific if the instructor isn't particularly qualified to teach it.  Instructors with good connections can be an important part of networking yourself...

Ellen Carrlee
Conservator
Alaska State Museum

-----Original Message-----
From: Museum discussion list [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Christina Garretson
Sent: Thursday, August 12, 2010 8:47 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: [MUSEUM-L] prestige vs. pragmatism

Hi listers,
     I'm getting ready to go to grad school for museum studies, and I'm wondering, does a big-name grad program pay off in the museum field? I'm very close to what I understand is a strong (but not big-name) program, so there's certainly some pragmatic incentive to go there. I'm also looking into schools like George Washington, Oxford, Columbia, etc., but the cost and logistics involved are difficult if not prohibitive. I did a very expensive undergrad degree for the sake of the program's ranking, and I don't want to do that again unless I'm sure it's worthwhile. So now I'm wondering to what degree (if any), a bigger-name grad program could open doors for me that a smaller-name program couldn't. 
     So, my question is to you, how helpful to your museum career is the prestige of your grad program? Is it worth the expense?
Any thoughts much appreciated!

Best,
-Christina

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