Perhaps it appeared offensive and arrogant to say that a master's in a
traditional liberal arts/sciences discipline is vastly more useful in the
museum field than one in "museum studies."  As I wrote, this is a
fuddy-duddy's personal view, based on considerable experience in this field.

In contemporary terms, I suggest it is essential that those entering the
museum field understand what it means to "color outside the lines," i.e., to
bring to the table their creativity, their eagerness to make a difference,
their willingness to experiment.  If this were not so, our museums would all
be much more healthy and able to compensate their staffs appropriately.  We
work within the confines of standards and expectations out of the past, and
I fear the "museum studies" programs teach within those boundaries.
-----Original Message-----
From: Kelly McKinley <[log in to unmask]>
Newsgroups: bit.listserv.museum-l
To: [log in to unmask] <[log in to unmask]>
Date: Wednesday, August 05, 1998 9:18 AM
Subject: Re: ma programs in museum studies


>What arrogance & ignorance to suggest that an MA in Museum Studies is a
>lightweight discipline, or relatively lighter in intellectual substance.
As
>a graduate of the University of Toronto MA program in Museum Studies, I
>would like to point out that this graduate program (as is the case with
many
>others) is substantially more demanding than other graduate liberal arts
>programs.  Students must have higher marks due to the small number of
>students accepted annually, you must have demonstrated work & volunteer
>experience in the field, the program is 24 months in length (double other
>programs) & requires a 3 month internship plus a thesis. How dare you write
>off an entire field of academics, professionals & students.
>
>
>
>
>
>
>At 12:45 PM 8/4/98 -0400, you wrote:
>>It's never a waste (if you can afford it and take the time) to get a
>>master's degree.  As a liberal arts fuddy-duddy, I always suggest a
master's
>>degree in a discipline of greater intellectual substance than one in
museum
>>studies.
>>
>>I often wonder how long it will take for such outstanding institutions as
>>Chadwick University to offer a master's in museum studies.  Chadwick is
one
>>of the leaders in "distance learning," i.e., degrees available by mail
>>without any class attendance requirement.
>>-----Original Message-----
>>From: Polly Cegielski <[log in to unmask]>
>>Newsgroups: bit.listserv.museum-l
>>To: [log in to unmask] <[log in to unmask]>
>>Date: Tuesday, August 04, 1998 10:22 AM
>>Subject: Re: ma programs in museum studies
>>
>>
>>>I am also seeking information on schools offering MA's in museum studies
>>and
>>>which ones are considered the forerunners in this area.  I have been
>>>following the 'value of an M.A.' topic fairly closely and I have to admit
>>it
>>>has greatly dampened my desire to pursue this degree.  I also wonder
about
>>>the cost of this degree, is it worth spending $32k (University of Denver)
>>as
>>>opposed to approximately $10-12k (U of Texas, Lubbock)  when you are only
>>>going to be making a salary in the $20-23k range?  Or is this completely
>>>dependent upon what you choose to specialize in?  And Ms. Graff's
question
>>is
>>>somewhat disturbing, although I myself have not found any programs that
>>>require a previous master's to enroll. Is this common?  I would
appreciate
>>>any and all information on colleges, degrees and what is the most
>>marketable
>>>in the feild.  Thank you very much. (Feel free to contact me at
>>>[log in to unmask])
>>>
>>>Sincerely,
>>>
>>>P.Cegielski
>>>
>>>Rebecca Graff wrote:
>>>
>>>> Dear Museum-L subscribers,
>>>>
>>>> I am trying to find out information about MA programs in museum
studies,
>>>> especially ones that focus on anthropological collections.  It seems
that
>>>> many programs require either a completed MA in another discipline, or
>>>> enrollment in another field.  I've contacted some schools but many
>>>> departments are unavailable for the summer.   I'm a senior right now,
any
>>>> suggestions?  Thanks.
>>>>
>>>> Rebecca Graff
>>>> U.C. Berkeley
>>
>>
>Kelly McKinley
>Education Department
>Art Gallery of Ontario
>317 Dundas Street West
>Toronto, Ontario
>M5T 1G4
>Canada
>PH: (416) 979-6660 ext.268
>FAX: (416) 979-6674
>E-MAIL: [log in to unmask]