Professor Thomson:

A distance education option would be good.  A thesis requirement is needed
to assure that graduates have the ability to collect and synthesize data and
present the results in a coherent way.  Graduates should have a good
theoretical knowledge of collections management, conservation principles,
exhibit development and design, non-profit management, and public
administration.  Graduates should have a more in-depth knowledge of at least
one of those areas, preferably enhanced by an internship.  Internships can
also give students opportunities to determine if they will be more
comfortable in non-profit organizations, government institutions or
university settings, etc.

It is very important that graduates of a master's program have acquired, at
the undergraduate level or as a part of graduate education, substantive
knowledge of an appropriate discipline such as art history or history
(thematic, regional, national, or international).

I would be interested to know the results of your query.

William S. Hanable
Managing Director, Westport Maritime Museum
Westport, WA

-----Original Message-----
From: Jane Thomson <[log in to unmask]>
Newsgroups: bit.listserv.museum-l
To: [log in to unmask] <[log in to unmask]>
Date: Monday, December 28, 1998 10:43 AM
Subject: Professional needs in museum studies


>I am still seeking input from museum professionals on a proposed new
program
>at the University of Calgary, Alberta. There are currently several Master's
>level programs in Museum Studies available in Canada, but nothing at the
>graduate level in Alberta, and no PhD level program in Canada.
>If the U of C decides to go ahead with an expanded program (we currently
>offer a minor only, and it is very popular), we need to know whether we
>should offer a distance education option for professionals with regular
>jobs, so they could pursue studies throughout the year, perhaps taking
>on-site summer courses or a couple of months at other times during the
year.
>Should it be a thesis-based program? Should we include offerings from
>departments of architecture, business, design, computer studies? What do
>people need and want in the area of museum education?
>I'd be very grateful if you could take a few minutes and respond. Happy New
>Year to you all.
>Jane Sproull Thomson
>