I've taken several museum studies courses (although I don't have an M.A. in Museum Studies) and have found them to be valuable in giving me a theoretical background for WHY museums do various things. The classes have also exposed me to various areas of museum work and what is involved with each. I've also worked in several areas of museums, and have to admit that I learned far more about doing a job from actually doing it than from a class project or reading about it. But, it was nice to have the background from my classes for how each part fits into the whole scheme of the museum. Of course, a good Supervisor/Director will convey this to you anyway, right? I have to agree with Julia Moore's point on business and administration classes as being valuable. I do have a masters in non-profit management (achieved while working FT), and have found that what I learned in those classes I've been able to use DIRECTLY in my work. While museum studies classes teach more background & concepts, my management classes taught me applications. All my classes had group projects, so I was forced to learn deadlines and working with other people, one of those "fuzzy" benefits I got from the program. Plus, business does have a different viewpoint than most non-profits, so I felt I learned how to value team-building, strategic planning, financial planning, etc. Of course, everything I've learned in all my classes, I could have gotten by reading up on the subject and talking with others, but for me, I needed the discipline of classes, assignments, and student interaction to keep me focused. Hope this rambling is helpful! Kate Desulis The Morton Arboretum 4100 Illinois Rte 53 Lisle, IIL 60532 630-719-5700 [log in to unmask]