Online Master of Arts in Museum Studies

Engage communities, preserve culture, and shape contemporary understanding

YOUR FUTURE STARTS HERE

Complete the form below to learn more about our online programs and how to get started.

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At a Glance

The online Master of Arts in Museum Studies from OU Online equips students to tackle real-world challenges faced by museum professionals. The flexible curriculum covers museum management, budget planning, exhibition design, educational programming, and community engagement. Students can explore diverse topics and tailor the degree to match their career goals.

Learn from experienced faculty with active roles in museums across the country, including two AAM-accredited institutions at the University of Oklahoma—the Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History and the Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art.

100% Online

Time to Complete:

20+ Months

Credit Hours:

Time Commitment:

10 to 20 Hours Weekly

start dates

Fall, Spring, Summer

cost

The online Museum Studies graduate program delivers a strong return on investment. You will build the expertise needed to lead at the highest levels and pursue greater earning potential in the museum field.

Tuition and fees total $27,885 ($845 per credit hour). Costs for books and additional materials are not included.

YOUR FUTURE STARTS HERE

Complete the form below to learn more about our online programs and how to get started.

About the MA in Museum Studies Online

Museum professionals thrive on discovery. As stewards of global heritage, they connect the past with the present. As the museum field continues to evolve, innovate, and adapt, professionals must embrace new challenges and experiences to stay ahead of industry trends.

The OU Online master’s degree in Museum Studies is a 33-credit-hour program that offers a deep exploration of museum and gallery collections, including gallery interpretation and cultural heritage preservation.

Courses in leadership, community engagement, and object-based learning prepare you to guide visitors through the stories of the past, present, and future. Areas of study include museum collections, museum history and architecture, museum management, and more.

Where a Master of Arts in Museum Studies Can Take You

A master’s degree in Museum Studies from the University of Oklahoma positions you for advancement across a wide range of museum careers. This fully online program helps you build the leadership, communication, and curatorial skills needed to thrive in today’s evolving museum landscape. This program does not prepare students for careers in conservation. Graduates often accelerate their careers in roles such as:

Museum Director
Archivist
Collections Manager

Curator
Museum Educator

Industry Insights

Median Pay: $57,100
Job Outlook: Employment for archivists and curators is projected to grow 11 percent by 2033
Job Openings: An average of 4,700 openings for archivists and curators are expected each year

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Program Outcomes: What You’ll Learn in the MA in Museum Studies Program

OU’s online Museum Studies master’s degree prepares students to meet the growing demand for adaptable, skilled museum professionals ready to lead in a dynamic industry. Graduates of the program will be able to:

Apply leadership and management strategies in museum environments
Demonstrate advanced knowledge of museum theory and practice, including exhibit development, programming, collections, curation, historic preservation, and education
Communicate effectively through both oral and written formats
Evaluate, analyze, and synthesize information on museum topics such as museum history, federal regulations, and field-specific controversies
Use technology for preservation, organization, outreach, and programming, including digitization, website design, databases, and record keeping
Critically assess research and literature in the cultural heritage field
Apply both quantitative and qualitative research methods to museum-related inquiry
Uphold professional standards of ethics, multicultural awareness, and diversity in collections, services, and professional practice
Use cultural competency to engage respectfully with individuals from diverse backgrounds, beliefs, and identities

Course Details

The museum studies master’s program offers a comprehensive foundation in essential areas of the museum field, including leadership, education, community engagement, history, and emerging technologies.

The World of a Museum

Credit Hours: 3
Baseline course introducing all aspects of museums and museum careers including history, structure, operations, and theoretical underpinnings.

Collections Management

Credit Hours: 3
This course will consider the place of collections in the life of a museum; how collections mesh with the museum mission; collections policies and stewardship. It will relate theoretical ideas on collection development and maintenance to the actualities of museum situations.

Capstone

Credit Hours: 3
The capstone is the comprehensive, end-of-program course where students engage in a project that applies the knowledge and skills learned in the program to professional topics. Under the supervision of the course instructor, the student will select a topic and project design. Projects may include, for example, in-depth literature reviews, research studies, or exhibit designs.

Internship in Museum Studies

Credit Hours: 3
Field experience directly related to study focus in the Museum Studies program. Requirements include some combination of journal, progress reports, written summary of experiences, or academic paper, and a possible comprehensive examination over these materials.

The House Museum

Credit Hours: 3
Examination of the house as a museum. Topics include identifying historical significance and architecture, conservation and interpretation, and developing community involvement.

Museum Education

Credit Hours: 3
Introduction to museum education, including object-based learning environments, and theory, an understanding of which fosters the development of effective motivating educational programs in museums.

Controversy and the World of the Museum

Credit Hours: 3
It is crucial that the museum professionals are acquainted with some of the most controversial exhibitions historically, as well as the ones from the 1990s along with an important discussion of the external legal, political, financial, and social forces that are crucial in influencing the course and the outcome of the examined cases.

Federal Laws and Museums

Credit Hours: 3
An examination of federal laws that impact decision-making for museum professionals. Course activities include the critique of museum collections and policies relating to federal laws such as the Archaeological Resources Protection Act, National Historic Preservation Act, Convention on Cultural Property Implementation Act, Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA), and The Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act.

Museum Management and Leadership

Credit Hours: 3
In-depth study of the philosophy, policies, and practices of museum governance, including such topics as ethics, board development, institutional mission and organization

Technology for Museum Professionals

Credit Hours: 3
Introduction to the theory and application of information technologies within museums including hardware, software, and the application of technology to the work of museum professionals.

Museum Studies Research Methods

Credit Hours: 3
Methods of investigating museum studies problems; use of evaluation in planning for continuous quality assessment and improvement of museum policies, processes, and procedures; developing original research designs; evaluating research studies in museum topics.

Historic Preservation

Credit Hours: 3
Introduction to the field of historic preservation, including identification, documentation, and presentation of historic buildings, sites, and structures.

The Small Museum

Credit Hours: 3
Introduction to the history and nature of small museums in the United States. Topics include cultural significance, administration, finance, funding, staffing, program/exhibition development, community involvement, and partnership building.

Introduction to Museum Interpretation

Credit Hours: 3
Introduces museum interpretation as a mode of communication to solicit informational experiences and inspire curiosity about a topic via media such as physical exhibits, educational programs, interactive designs, and virtual access. Given current demands for broader demographic inclusivity, the course also revisits conventional museum domains on who interprets what, with which sociocultural and ethnic background representing which segments of society.

Museums and Native Cultures

Credit Hours: 3
Designed for students to understand the representational history of native cultures in museums and the dynamic collaboration between a museum and a culture to accomplish an authentic and respectful presentation today.

Advanced Topics in Museum Studies

Credit Hours: 3
Topics offered under this course number will include but not be limited to education and public programs; legislation and museum policies; exhibitions; museum stores, volunteers, and associations.

Why OU Online Is the Best Place to Earn Your Master’s in Museum Studies

OU Online delivers high-quality, affordable graduate programs in a flexible, fully online format from a top-tier public research university. The MA in Museum Studies equips you with the tools to solve real-world challenges in the museum field. Apply your knowledge through hands-on internship opportunities that connect theory with practice.

Faculty Expertise

The master’s in museum studies is built on the foundation of world-class University of Oklahoma faculty, mixed with professors of practice providing valuable instruction. By linking industry experts with our online programs, we offer the most advanced curriculum and prepare students for future career success.

Robust Student Support

OU Online offers robust student support services, including academic support, online tutoring, mental health counseling, and an online career development center. The program accommodates the needs of working professionals, allowing you to expand your technical skills while maintaining full-time employment.

Global Alumni Network

With more than 250,000 alumni across the world, becoming a Sooner means you’ll have access to a strong network of museum professionals to accelerate your career. As a Sooner, you’ll be part of a powerful network of leaders working in organizations across the world, helping you expand your career as a museum professional.

Flexible Format

The master’s in museum studies is offered in a fully online, flexible format designed for working professionals around the world. Earn your degree in as few as 20 months while managing full-time work and personal commitments. Study from anywhere and build specialized expertise in museum leadership and management.

Tailored Experience

Move through the program with a small, focused cohort of professionals who share your passion for museum leadership. Participate in dynamic online discussions with faculty and peers while building a strong professional network and developing the skills to thrive in the museum industry.

Cost & Financial Aid

Earning your MA in Museum Studies is an investment in your future—and OU Online is committed to making that investment accessible and transparent.

Students pay $845 per credit hour, totaling $27,885 for the full program. Costs for books and additional materials are not included.

Financial aid, scholarships, and employer tuition assistance may be available to help reduce your out-of-pocket expenses. OU’s dedicated financial services team will support you through every step of the funding process, so you can stay focused on your education and career goals.

For questions about financial aid for your online program, contact the Online Aid office at onlineaid@ou.edu or call 405-325-2929.

Take the Next Step

To apply to the online Master of Arts in Museum Studies program, you must hold a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university—or the international equivalent—with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0.

Application Timeline

The admissions committee reviews applications on a rolling basis and may accept applicants up to two weeks before classes begin. Some programs may require earlier application submissions. Once a completed application is received, the committee aims to provide a decision within two weeks.

Step 1

Contact an Enrollment Coach to discuss your qualifications and interest in the program.

Step 2

Complete the online application.

Step 3

Provide supplemental materials, including a resume, personal statement, and undergraduate transcripts.