MSC01 1050
1 University of New Mexico
Albuquerque, NM 87131
Physical Location:
Hibben Center
Rm 320
Phone: (505) 277-0786
museum@unm.edu
On July 19, 2016, the New Mexico State Board of Finance approved the new Master of Museum Studies graduate degree program at UNM. This was the final step in the long review process carried out by the university, state academic councils, and New Mexico state government to create the new program.
The masters curriculum offers graduate‐level training in museum practices integrated with specialized study tailored for individual students in fine arts, area studies, natural history, education, anthropology, and other social sciences. The curriculum provides a firm grounding in museum theory with an emphasis on current standards, best practices and trends in the museum profession. The degree consists of a 33 credit hour interdisciplinary curriculum, which integrates courses in museology along with electives offered in aligned academic departments and culminates in a Master's project or thesis.
Students accepted into the graduate program may choose between two courses of study: Plan I (thesis), and Plan II (project). All students must have a firm grounding in museum studies through the required core museology curriculum as well as specialization in a cognate discipline. Students in either Plan I or Plan II are required to complete one museum practica. Graduate course work may include field projects related to the student's chosen specialization and to the student's chosen cognate discipline in an area of specialization.
The decision to award either a Master of Arts or Master of Science is determined on a case-by-case basis. The determination, which must be approved by the Graduate Program Director, is made by the student's graduate committee based on the nature of the student's thesis or project, the specific courses taken by the student, and the requirements of the student's cognate department.
Information on application requirements and deadlines can be found on the Office of Graduate Studies (OGS) website. http://grad.unm.edu/graduate-programs/grad-app.html Application requirements for the graduate degree include a letter of intent, three letters of reference, GRE scores if available, a writing sample, a resume or CV, and official transcripts from ALL previously attended colleges and universities. Official transcripts will be mailed to the Office of UNM Admissions. Unofficial copies of your GRE score, and transcripts from all colleges, including UNM must also be uploaded with your application.
Graduate Degree requirements include 33 hours of graduate course work. At least 18 hours of graduate course work, including project hours or thesis, must be completed in graduate student status at UNM. All work presented for the degree must fall within a seven-year period.
Requirements for Plan I and Plan II are listed as follows:
Program of Study:
|
Course Requirements – Thesis Track (Plan I) |
Cr. |
Course Requirements - Project Track (Plan II) |
Cr. Hrs. |
|
Museum Practices (MSST 507) |
3 |
Museum Practices (MSST 507) |
3 |
|
Museum Interpretation (MSST 575) |
3 |
Museum Interpretation (MSST 575) |
3 |
|
Museum Collection Management (MSST 576) |
3 |
Museum Collection Management (MSST 576) |
3 |
|
Seminar in Museum Methods (MSST 585) |
3 |
Seminar in Museum Methods (MSST 585) |
3 |
|
Practicum: Museum Methods (MSST 586) ∆ |
3 |
Practicum: Museum Methods (MSST 586) ∆ |
3 |
|
Cognate Discipline Hours (500+)** |
12 |
Cognate Discipline Hours (500+)** |
15 |
|
Total course hours: |
27 |
Total course hours: |
30 |
|
Thesis Hours (MSST 599) |
6 |
Project Hours (MSST 598) |
3 |
|
Minimum credit hours required: |
33 |
Minimum credit hours required: |
33 |
** Cognate hours may also include practicum work, field methods courses, and with approval up to six hours of *300 or *400 level classes. Cognate hours may be taken in more than one department or school at UNM and through cross-enrollment at partnering state universities. Some Museum Studies elective courses may count as cognate hours with advisor approval.
∆ Six (6) credit maximum.
The seminar (MSST 585) is designed to explore theoretical and practical work in specific museum problems, topics, and themes.
The practicum (MSST 586) is a 3 credit hour internship that includes at least 150 service or participatory hours. The practicum is an opportunity for students to gain hands-on experience in some aspect of museum work. Practica are offered through the Harwood Museum of Art, Institute of Meteoritics, Maxwell Museum of Anthropology, Museum of Southwestern Biology, the UNM Art Museum, and other UNM collections and programs. Students are also encouraged to conduct practica at off-campus cooperating institutions. In the event that a student has extensive museum experience prior to entering the program, the internship requirement may be waived by the student's graduate committee.
A student wishing to transfer credits to be used toward the completion of their graduate degree must petition to their Faculty Advisor with a copy to the Graduate Program Advisor. Petitions must include a description of the course for which the credit is being requested, the program requirement for which the course credit will serve, and a report of the grade received in the course.
The UNM Catalog notes polices and restrictions regarding transfer credit. The Graduate Office has the following restrictions on such transfer credits towards a degree:
Information on application requirements for the Master's Degree in Museum Studies can be found on the Office of Graduate Studies website: http://grad.unm.edu/graduate-programs/documents/museum-ma-ms.pdf
Application Requirements include: A Letter of Intent, CV or Resume, Three Letters of Recommendation, Test Scores and/or a writing sample, and Transcripts from All Academic Institutions Attended. Official GRE Test Scores and Transcripts must be sent to the UNM Admissions Office. Unofficial copies of transcripts from all schools attended, including unofficial transcripts from UNM, and GRE scores are required to be uploaded into the UNM Graduate Admissions Application.
Please note: The GRE requirement for the Fall 2021 application period and until otherwise posted may be substituted with a writing sample. If an applicant has taken the exam, they can submit scores for consideration. For those who are not submitting GRE scores, an example of writing or other materials reflecting their experience should be included with the application.
To get started on your application, create an account from UNM's Graduate and Professional Programs Apply/Yourself Application Network.