Degree Program

The Master of Arts in Heritage and Museum Sciences offers a concentration in either Museum Science or Heritage Science. The concentration in Museum Science emphasizes thorough preparation in the broad spectrum of museum theory and practice. Graduates from the Museum Science concentration have a comprehensive background in museum studies and are prepared as generalists or emphasize areas of special interest such as:

• collections management and care
• exhibitions and interpretation
• museum education
• museum management
• discipline-based curatorships

Heritage Science concentration emphasizes extensive investigation in the field of heritage management. Graduates from the Heritage Science concentration are prepared to enhance local, regional, and national sociological and scientific values; encourage preservation and stewardship of cultural and natural heritage; advocate public service; and direct educational programing designed to derive maximum advantage from innovative technology without the loss of cultural identity and biodiversity.

The Heritage Science concentration is configured to allow students to emphasize areas of special interest such as:

• heritage administration
• geoheritage
• digital heritage
• interpretation
• heritage education
• heritage tourism and ecotourism

The concentration offers both theoretical and practical coursework designed to prepare graduates to be leaders in the heritage management field.

All students majoring in Heritage and Museum Sciences regardless of concentration take the following 4 required courses:

• MUSM 5327 – Museum Collections Management (3 Semester Credit Hours)
• MUSM 5330 – Museum Laws, Ethics, and Standards (3 Semester Credit Hours)
• MUSM 5326 – Museum Administration (3 Semester Credit Hours)
• HMGT 5323 – Principles of Heritage Management (3 Semester Credit Hours)

Students beginning their course of study in a fall semester will take three of the required courses offered in the fall: Collections Management, Museum Administration, and Principles of Heritage Management. The Museum Laws, Ethics, and Standards course is taken in the third semester.

Students beginning their course of study in a spring semester will take track and/or free elective courses.