Program: Museum Studies, MA - University of San Francisco

2020-2021 Catalog

Mar 29, 2025

The mission of the University of San Francisco’s Master of Arts (M.A.) degree in Museum Studies is to shape leaders in museums and cultural organizations of all disciplines. Through a curriculum that emphasizes social justice, community engagement and hands-on experience, students acquire the skills and knowledge necessary to strategically transform museums in a constantly changing global context.

Program Learning Outcomes

Students will:

Articulate a critical understanding of the histories, challenges and methodologies related to museums as complex public service organizations
Analyze institutional practices in light of USF’s mission of social justice
Apply skills and knowledge essential for successful professional patterns of behavior and practice in all types of museums and like organizations

Graduate Requirements (32 Units)

Core (24 Units)

MUSE 600 - Museum Studies: History/Theory
Note: USF alumni who have completed ART 200 may substitute that course for MUSE 600.
MUSE 601 - Cultural and Financial Mngmnt
MUSE 602 - Museums and Social Justice
OR
MUSE 611 - Cult Heritage and Soc Just
MUSE 603 - Collections Mgmt/Preservation
MUSE 620 - Graduate Internship
MUSE 630 - Museum Studies Capstone

Elective Practica (8 Units)

MUSE 602 - Museums and Social Justice
Note: MUSE 602 can be counted as an elective if it has not been counted towards the Museum Studies core requirement.
MUSE 605 - Curatorial Studies Practicum
MUSE 606 - Exhibition Design Practicum
MUSE 607 - Museums and the Law Practicum
MUSE 608 - Museums/Technology Practicum
MUSE 609 - Museum Education Practicum
MUSE 611 - Cult Heritage and Soc Just
Note: MUSE 611 can be counted as an elective if it has not been counted towards the Museum Studies core requirement.
MUSE 690 - Special Topics
MUSE 698 - Directed Study/Research
Note: Students may substitute a relevant course from another program with approval of the instructor and Museum Studies Academic Director.

Internship Program

During the summer semester, students complete a 4-unit internship at the location of their choice, supervised by an internship coordinator who leads the accompanying mentoring, online discussion and assignments. Students spend at least 150 hours per week at their internship over a 12-week period.

Museum Studies Capstone

In the final semester, students complete an independent research project focused on a current or historical issue or problem within the field that relates to their professional interests. The capstone is supervised by faculty and culminates in either a final research paper or project, followed by an oral presentation synthesizing their learning experience in the program.