Museum Studies (Advanced Certificate)

Department Website

Program Description

NYU's Advanced Certificate in Museum Studies is a unique opportunity to bolster your master's or doctoral education with study of the workings and practices of museums. This program offers an advanced academic and interdisciplinary opportunity as it may be completed in conjunction with or following the completion of another graduate degree. The program's faculty and adjunct faculty and its network of dedicated alumni help students expand their knowledge of museums' workings both inside and outside of the classroom.

Admissions

All applicants to the Graduate School of Arts and Science (GSAS) are required to submit the general application requirements, which include:

• Academic Transcripts
• Test Scores (if required)
• Applicant Statements
• Résumé or Curriculum Vitae
• Letters of Recommendation, and
• A non-refundable application fee.

See Museum Studies for admission requirements and instructions specific to this program.

Program Requirements

Students in the 24-credit advanced certificate program are responsible for completion of museum studies certificate requirements as well as the master’s or doctoral requirements of their degree-granting departments. A maximum of two courses or 8 credits of the 24 credits required to complete the certificate may be counted toward the M.A. or Ph.D. by participating departments.

Course List

Course	Title	Credits
Core Requirements
MSMS-GA 1500	History and Theory of Museums	4
MSMS-GA 1501	Museum Collections and Exhibitions	4
MSMS-GA 1502	Museum Management	4
MSMS-GA 3990	Internship (wth a grade of B or better)	2
MSMS-GA 3991	Research Seminar	2
Electives
Select two elective courses chosen either from museum studies curriculum or cross offerings cross-listed from other departments		8
Total Credits		24

Sample Plan of Study

Plan of Study Grid

1st Semester/Term		Credits
MSMS-GA 1500	History and Theory of Museums	4
MSMS-GA 1501	Museum Collections and Exhibitions	4
MSMS-GA ----	Museum Studies Elective	4
	Credits	12
2nd Semester/Term
MSMS-GA 1502	Museum Management	4
MSMS-GA 3991	Research Seminar	2
MSMS-GA ----	Museum Studies Elective	4
	Credits	10
3rd Semester/Term
MSMS-GA 3990	Internship	2
	Credits	2
	Total Credits	24

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of the program, graduates will:

1. Understand the complex social, cultural, and political histories of museums from a variety of disciplinary approaches with respect to governance, colonialism, nationalism, class, gender, ethnicity, and community.
2. Build an expansive conceptual framework within which students develop particular interests by taking specialized electives in the areas of museum education, fundraising, conservation, community practice, museum-based political economy, decolonization, museum law, and interactive technologies.
3. Apply for and secure a 200-hour internship in a museum of their choice, and will reflect on their experiences and areas of career growth and development.
4. Develop a 30-page thesis on a selected topic within the broad field of museum study with a thesis adviser.
5. Understand why urgent equity repair work is needed in museums and their role in creating new ethical frameworks required to advocate for change across the sector.

Policies

NYU Policies

University-wide policies can be found on the New York University Policy pages.

Graduate School of Arts and Science Policies

Academic Policies for the Graduate School of Arts and Science can be found on the Academic Policies page.