Department of Museum Studies

DEPARTMENT OF

Museum Studies

Learn about the history and philosophy of different types of museums, about the different skills that are needed in museum administration, museum education, collections management and care, archival management, and exhibit design, as well as courses on material culture, decorative arts, historic preservation, and museum ethics.

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Programs

The Department of Museum Studies prepares Baylor students for careers in museums, cultural organizations, and related non-profit institutions. The program provides students with a solid understanding of museum education, collections management, curation, and administration.

The department offers a BA and a MA in Museum Studies as well as undergraduate and graduate Minors in the field. The department also offers two unique courses of study. The Joint BA/MA degree in Museum Studies is the first in the nation. It offers undergraduate students in Museum Studies and other selected majors the opportunity to complete both degrees in five years instead of the usual six. The Minor in Informal Education, offered in partnership with the School of Education’s Department of Curriculum and Instruction, prepares bachelor’s level students for careers in museums, zoos, galleries, historical sites, parks, and other cultural sites that offer educational experiences for visitors.

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Experiential Learning

Located within the Mayborn Museum Complex which surrounds students with many academic and career opportunities. This multidisciplinary museum serves as a living laboratory where students apply their classroom learning by participating in all aspects of the museum's daily operations.

Internships

Undergraduate and graduate Museum Studies students are encouraged to complete a summer internship. We have had placements at institutions across the United States.

Field Trips

Because our program is a unique blending of the academic and the professional, many classes go on the road, visiting museums large and small in Waco and beyond.

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Financial Information

The Department of Museum Studies and Baylor University offer a variety of funding options for graduate students.

Scholarships

The department offers two types of scholarships on a competitive basis. Tuition scholarships provide tuition remission for up to 9 hours per semester. Endowed scholarships are credited to the student’s Baylor account and may be used to pay for tuition, fees, books, and other expenses.

Assistantships

The department and its partner institutions offer several graduate assistantships in campus museums, libraries, and archives, and at the Waco Mammoth National Monument. Students work up to 20 hours per week. Stipends are set by the host institution and range from $12 to $22 per hour.