Museum Science

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Coordinator: Gary F. Edson, Professor of Museum Science and Executive Director, Museum of Texas Tech University

The Master of Arts in Museum Science emphasizes thorough preparation in the broad spectrum of museum theory and practice. Graduates from the program have a comprehensive background in museum studies, preparing them as generalists. In addition, students may elect to become specialists in a number of subdisciplines, including collection management and care; exhibitions and interpretation; museology; museum management; and curatorship in anthropology, art, ethnology, history, paleontology, and the natural sciences.

Applicants will be considered for admission to the museum science program after the following materials are received: two letters of recommendation from persons knowledgeable of the student’s professional abilities and a career summary statement. Forms will be furnished on request. Prior to admission consideration, students must complete the appropriate application forms and satisfy the requirements of the university, including an official transcript of complete undergraduate coursework and GRE scores. Once that process is concluded, program admission and competitive scholarship awards are based on three general categories of criteria:

• Academic Record: All academic records may be considered—60 hours, total, major, post-baccalaureate, etc.
• Test Scores: Scores on the General Test of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) should be no more than five years old. Each score is considered separately, with percentile scores viewed by broad major. No test score will be considered the sole criterion.
• Individual Profile: Profiles may include recommendations, research background, motivation, multilingual proficiency, undergraduate institution, presentations, and interviews. Other information that admission and scholarship committees may consider is work commitment, demonstrated commitment to a particular field of work or study, and community involvement.

Interested persons should contact the Museum of Texas Tech University for a comprehensive packet of information about the program. It is administered by the executive director of the museum.

The museum science program uses a variety of existing courses offered by various departments within the university to address individual educational and career goals. All students must develop competency in the core courses taught by selected members of the graduate faculty and the museum staff. (Competency is construed to mean an understanding of professional museum practices.)

A student majoring in the program must take at least 24 hours from the museum science core curriculum, a minimum of 15 hours of elective graduate-level courses, plus 6 hours of thesis or internship and special project. (Internships are normally at approved museums and facilities other than the Museum of Texas Tech University.) Required core courses for the program include MUSM 5321, 5326, 5327, 5330, 5331, 5332, 5333, and 5340. A total of 45 credit hours of graduate-level work is required for graduation. In addition, each student must pass a qualifying exam prior to beginning either the internship or thesis and must pass comprehensive written and oral exams at the conclusion of his or her studies. Students pursuing the thesis option must write and defend the thesis.

Following the first 9 credit hours of graduate study, each student’s curriculum will be formalized through consultation with a graduate faculty advisory committee, consisting of at least three members, which reflects the student’s area of emphasis. This degree plan will be approved by the program coordinator and the Executive Director of the Museum and will then be submitted to the Graduate School. When approved, it will serve as a tool for advising and review to assure completion of degree requirements.

A minor at the master’s level in museum science consists of 9 approved credit hours in the core curriculum; a minor at the doctoral level consists of 15 hours of museum science courses of which at least 9 must be from the core curriculum.

Course Descriptions

• Museum Science (MUSM)

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