Andrew:  Unless people have offered you advice (not program
advertisements)off-line , I don't think that anyone has answered your
questions. There are two current museum studies tracks, which I am sure you
are aware of: you can obtain a museum studies certificate in conjunction
with an academic discipline such as history, art history, or anthropology or
you can pursue a master's level museum studies degree at one of about 23
universities in the United States. Most of the latter let's you specialize
in one particular area of museums such as education or exhibits. You will
receive MANY opinions as to which is the best type of program and almost
every graduate of either type will staunchly support their alma mater.

It comes down to what YOU want.  If museums (and related
institutions/businesses) are THE place you want to work in for your chosen
professional career and you have no qualms at all about pursuing this
course, then pursue a degree in Museum Studies.  If, however, you want to
continue in your academic discipline but want the option of working in a
museum or perhaps a university or college, then I suggest you pursue a
certificate in Museum Studies.  Both have pluses and minuses that you must
weigh for yourself.

Since I have worked in a major natural history museum for over 15 years, I
can speak to your second question.  For employment as a curator in a
scientific department of a Natural History museum, they require that you
have a master's or PhD degree in an academic discipline.  For a job as a
registrar, collections manager,etc. they prefer you have an academic area
and museum training through a certificate or master's level program.
Requirements vary from museum to museum.

As far as jobs in high demand at this time: directors/CEOs/presidents;
educators; museum marketing; development (fundraising); and people who know
how to develop and use technology whether its through exhibits or education
or a related field.

Here is my two cents.  I am sure that my colleagues out there may have
slightly different opinions.

Dawn Scher Thomae
Collections Manager/Associate Curator - Anthropology
Milwaukee Public Museum
and
Coordinator and professor- UW-Milwaukee/Milwaukee Public Museum
Museum Studies Graduate Certificate Program (since 1963)





-----Original Message-----
From: Andrew Harrington [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: Monday, October 21, 2002 10:16 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Museum Studies Programs


Hello,

I was wondering if I could get anyone's opinion
regarding museum studies programs.  Currently I am
looking into graduate schools that offer some type of
museum studies.  My bachelor's degree is in
Anthropology/Archaeology and I have an interest in
archaeological collections and curation/research.  I
am trying to decide whether it would be more
beneficial to get a master's degree in Anthropology
with a concentration in Museum Studies or if it would
be better to get a master's in Museum Studies with a
concentration in Anthropology.  Does anyone have an
opinion on which option is more marketable to museums
(especially natural history museums) when looking for
jobs?
Also, I was wondering if there are any jobs within
museums that are particularly in demand at this time.
Any information or advice you can give me will be
greatly appreciated.  Thank you.

Sincerely,

Andrew Harrington


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