Hello, As a graduate of a Public History program, I have to agree with Melissa. I think what it comes down to is making sure you do your research with a program. I chose Public History over Museum studies/MLIS because I wanted more of the history background with the museum/archival administrative classes. I felt I could pick and choose my classes more and then also have the variety to add electives, such as classes in non-profits, records management, etc. I also would like to mention that regardless of what type of studies you choose, you need to keep an open mind. This field is very hard to get in. I was DEADSET on being a curator/registrar for a museum and that was all. Eventually I realized that my studies prepared me for a wide variety of professions and I am now a County Records Manager/Archivist. Hope that is helpful, Jen On Thu, Mar 21, 2013 at 12:43 PM, Melissa Luthman <[log in to unmask] > wrote: > Hi Colleen, > To second both Alejandra and Catherine, you should look more closely at > what you want to get out of a MA or Certificate to help narrow down your > choices. As a grad of an American Studies MA program, I can tell you that > not doing your homework before starting a program can hurt you in the long > run. > Most public history programs do deal with museum issues and most museum > studies programs teach about public history-like programming and research. > You need to discover what you need to find the right track for you before > committing to a program. Also, look for a program that will give you a lot > of internship time. Prospective employers are putting an emphasis on work > experience right now and those internships can help a lot! > Best of luck! > Melissa > > On Thu, Mar 7, 2013 at 1:14 PM, Ale Bravo <[log in to unmask]> wrote: > >> Hi Colleen, >> >> This is not something you addressed in your question, but, since your >> career goal is to be a curator, you might want to look at job descriptions >> in your intended type of museum. From what I know, a lot of museums prefer >> very specific degrees for their curatorial positions, such as art museums >> prefer art history MAs (and even PhDs), history museums prefer history >> majors, others may want archaeology, anthropology or science degrees. I >> have not seen many curator openings where museum studies is preferred over >> these other subjects. Therefore, a degree in these areas might be better if >> you want to be a curator. >> >> However, a museum studies degree will give you many other skills required >> for museum work, not only related to collections and exhibits, but to >> management, fundraising, educational programs, etc. This is certainly very >> useful, along with internships and volunteering. If you choose a museum >> studies program, I would say that one with an emphasis in collections might >> be helpful in your chosen goal. I am not familiar with public history >> programs. >> >> Whichever program you choose, best of luck! >> >> Alejandra Bravo >> >> ------------------------------ >> *From:* Colleen Filipek <[log in to unmask]> >> *To:* [log in to unmask] >> *Sent:* Wednesday, March 6, 2013 5:31 PM >> >> *Subject:* [MUSEUM-L] Museum Studies vs. Public History Programs, and >> Museum Studies MA vs. Certificate Program >> >> Hi, >> >> I've been looking into graduate schools and I noticed that there are >> both Museum Studies programs and Public History programs, at different >> schools of course, as well as a lot of certificate programs. I know that >> some of Public History work is done in museums, is there a huge >> difference between a Public History MA program and a Museum Studies MA >> program? My career goal is to be a curator, so would there be a big >> difference in my appeal as an applicant between them? Also, I've noticed >> that there are a lot more Museum Studies certificate programs than MA >> programs. Obviously you don't get the master's degree with a certificate >> program, but is there a huge difference between the two? Does it matter that >> much in the hiring process? >> >> Thanks, >> Colleen >> >> ------------------------------ >> To unsubscribe from the MUSEUM-L list, click the following link: >> http://home.ease.lsoft.com/scripts/wa-HOME.exe?SUBED1=MUSEUM-L&A=1 >> >> >> >> ------------------------------ >> >> To unsubscribe from the MUSEUM-L list, click the following link: >> http://home.ease.lsoft.com/scripts/wa-HOME.exe?SUBED1=MUSEUM-L&A=1 >> > > > > -- > Melissa Luthman > Ohio Local History Service > Logan County Museum & Orr Mansion > 521 E. Columbus Ave. > Bellefontaine, OH 43311 > [log in to unmask] > 419-604-9057 > > > ------------------------------ > > To unsubscribe from the MUSEUM-L list, click the following link: > http://home.ease.lsoft.com/scripts/wa-HOME.exe?SUBED1=MUSEUM-L&A=1 > -- Jen Haney, MA *"May you always have confetti in your pockets."* ========================================================= Important Subscriber Information: The Museum-L FAQ file is located at http://www.finalchapter.com/museum-l-faq/ . You may obtain detailed information about the listserv commands by sending a one line e-mail message to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read "help" (without the quotes). If you decide to leave Museum-L, please send a one line e-mail message to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read "Signoff Museum-L" (without the quotes).