<p>I decided when I grow up I'd like work in a museum. I had no idea this study existed when I entered college, but now I'd like to find an undergraduate school with good program in it and transfer there (I already decided I want to move from my lac to a university). Any ideas? / Has (is) anyone followed(ing) the path to working in a museum a different way? How helpful is a degree (graduate or undergraduate in museum studies)
I plan on/am majoring first in classics (classical art), so any schools that offer the former and a good program in the latter would be great.
For others who are interested I'll post what I've found:
JHU is ideal; certificate, minor in museology and a great museum on campus. NYU and Tufts have the two best graduate programs in it and as private universities undergrads can take graduate classes -I think-. University of Washington also has a graduate program, but, I'm not sure how much undergrads can utilize it, same with GWU. Connecticut college seems to have a solid art history program and offers a certificate in museology, but it is the only LAC I've seen that offers something like that -except Smith, if you are a woman; they do have an open (but expensive) summer certificate program available to both men and women though.
Thanks,
Michael</p>
<p>Michael-- </p>
<p>I applied to several MA programs in museum studies and completed a degree 2 years ago. The most important question here is not where you're going but, what is it that you'd like to do in a museum? I'm guessing with a classic major, you're thinking about curating. Most major museums require a Ph.D in the subject area for curator positions and not necessarily a degree in museology, so it would be more worthwhile to work towards the Ph.D. If you're looking to do other things (visitor services, exhibitions, registration, etc.) look closely at the programs you are applying to. Many museums are looking for people with specific skills that aren't necessarily taught in museum studies programs, which tend to be steeped in theory and not practice. (I've noticed that the exception to this rule is registrar work, where many programs are excellent at teaching procedure and legal issues of registration.) </p>
<p>Honestly, most of the people I know from various programs got the most "use" out of their degree through internships. We were required to do two internships in my program and the work and connections that arose from those experiences helped more people get jobs than the degree itself. My conclusion from this is that if you have the skills and want to break into the museum world, museology is not a bad option. However, if you are looking to get those skills, you aren't going to get them from taking classes.</p>