Online M.A. in
Museum Studies
Curate the world's past
to touch lives in the present.
20+ Months
11 Courses
33 Hours
$818/CH
Museum professionals are committed to discovery. As curators of the world’s past, they touch the lives of those in the present. With the museum industry evolving, innovating, and adapting to the future, museum professionals must stay nimble by seeking new challenges and experiences that stretch them to keep stride with the industry.
OU Online’s Master of Arts in Museum Studies is designed to help students solve real-world problems museum professionals face. With a curriculum that addresses museum management procedures, budget administration, exhibit and educational programming, and community interaction, students can take courses across various topics and customize the degree based on their interests.
Admissions Deadline
Rolling admissions (applications due 14 days before the intended start date).
Program Start Terms
Fall, Spring, Summer
Academic Term
Stay up to date with OU holiday closings, deadlines, and more.
Master's Degree
Lead in Today's World
You will get a first-class education from a college ranked in the top tier of colleges in the country by U.S. News & World Report. Our experienced OU faculty will guide you through the program with support from professors of practice.
Practical Experience
Learn everything it takes to solve real-world problems in the museum field, including museum management procedures, budget administration, and exhibit and educational programming. Practice what you learn by taking advantage of internship opportunities.
Flexible Format
Learn in a flexible, online program designed for working adults. You’ll engage in discussions with professors and fellow students while learning what it takes to excel in the evolving museum industry.
OU Online graduates find employment within six months after graduation*
OU Online graduates report earning an annual salary of $75,000 or more*
OU Online students say the skills they gained in their program made them more competitive in their career field*
*Source: OU Online Graduate Outcomes Survey, 2023
Pursue your
Museum Studies
Master's degree
You’ll learn from faculty members drawn from museums across the country, including two AAM-accredited museums at the University of Oklahoma – the Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History and the Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art. Topics of study include museum collections, the history and architecture of museums, museum management, and more.
Course Offerings
- The World of a Museum
- History and Architecture of the Museum
- Museum Management and Leadership
- Museums, Cultures, and Communities
- Collection Management
- Historic Preservation
- The House Museum
- Small Museums
- Introduction to Museum Interpretation
- Museum Education
- Museums and Native Cultures
- Controversy and the World of Museum
- Special Problems in Museology
- Exhibit Development
- Technology and the Museum
- Internship
Getting Started Today
To apply to the online M.A. in Museum Studies program, students must hold a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited college or university (or appropriate international equivalent).
To apply, students must:
- Complete the online application at https://gograd.ou.edu/apply/
- Submit a current resume
- Provide official college transcripts from all institutions
- Submit a personal statement
- International students must demonstrate English proficiency
Applicants may be required to take the Graduate Record Examination (GRE), depending on their work experience and prior education. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis and are reviewed individually.
Application Timeline
Questions about Admissions?
For more information on the admissions process, please complete the contact form below, and an admissions counselor will be in touch shortly.
Paying for School
If you would like to compare the estimated cost of your program with a typical financial aid package, use the cost calculator on our OU Online financial aid page.
Graduate tuition waivers cannot be applied to OU Online programs. OU Online programs qualify for the OU Faculty/Staff Tuition Waiver & Fee Exemption, and we encourage you to check your eligibility.
Tuition waiver and fee exemption package application
If you have questions regarding financial aid for your online program, please get in touch with the Online Aid office by emailing onlineaid@ou.edu or calling 405-325-2929.
same academic excellence
Earning an M.A. in Museum Studies from OU Online gives you the skills to succeed in a growing and evolving field. It also gives you access to career support and an expanded professional network as part of the global OU alumni community. Stand out where the industry is moving while enjoying the potential for higher pay, career advancement, and new opportunities.
Tuition and fees for the program are $26,994 ($818 per credit hour). Books and additional materials are not included.
Once accepted into the program, students must submit a $350 nonrefundable deposit within two weeks. Deposits are applied toward tuition expenses and secure a student’s place in the upcoming class. There is no application fee for this degree.
Tuition Calculator
Our tuition calculator can help you estimate your tuition and financial aid for your program of interest.
Why OU Online?
We are a top-tier public institution offering high-quality, affordable, professional undergraduate and graduate programs committed to maintaining academic excellence online.
Our Online Programs
Every OU Online program is built on the foundation of world-class 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.
Our OU Family
When you graduate from an OU Online program, you’ll join the network of 250,000 OU alumni and be forever part of the OU family. Become part of the tradition of excellence that OU has established in its 130-year history.
