Master of Social Work - Traditional
The traditional Master of Social Work (MSW) program at the University at Buffalo is des...
M.A. in Critical Museum Studies
Buffalo, New York
INTAKE: Jan & Aug
Program Overview
The M.A. in Critical Museum Studies at UB is a pre-professional, 36-credit hour program that typically spans two years. It focuses on preparing graduates to critically analyze and contribute to the contemporary museum landscape. The program emphasizes understanding the pressures on museums, such as the digital shift, demands of social media and "edutainment," and the increasing politicization of cultural institutions. Students are required to take core and elective courses across the participating departments, culminating in a thesis and a required internship, ensuring both academic depth and practical experience.
Curriculum: The 36-credit curriculum includes core requirements (9 credits), electives (12 credits), an independent study (3 credits), an internship (6 credits), and a Master's Thesis (6 credits). The core courses are designed to provide a foundational understanding of critical approaches to museum studies and arts management. Students are required to take courses from at least three of the core programs (Anthropology, Arts Management, and Visual Studies). Electives can be chosen from these departments, as well as Digital Media Studies and Classics, with program director approval. This flexible structure allows students to tailor their studies to their specific interests within the broad field of critical museum studies, from focusing on specific types of collections to exploring issues of exhibition, education, or management.
Research Focus: The M.A. in Critical Museum Studies at UB fosters a research environment that encourages critical inquiry into the museum field. The program emphasizes a "theoretically informed and politically engaged perspective" on museums. Research interests within the program often revolve around contemporary issues such as the impact of digital technologies on museums, the dynamics of a globalized museum world, the demands of social media and entertainment, the ethical and legal aspects of repatriation, and the evolving relationship between private capital and traditional public museums. The culminating Master's thesis provides an opportunity for students to conduct original research on a specific critical issue or phenomenon within museum studies, contributing to ongoing scholarly and methodological debates.
Industry Engagement: The M.A. in Critical Museum Studies is designed as a "pre-professional" program with a significant component of industry engagement through its required internship program. Students are mandated to complete an internship in a relevant cultural institution. This hands-on experience allows students to apply theoretical knowledge to real-world museum practices, gain practical skills in areas like collections management, exhibition development, education, and administration, and build professional networks. While the program description highlights that it is self-funded with no TA support, the strong emphasis on practical, experiential learning through internships ensures that graduates are well-prepared for the demands of the museum profession.
Global Perspective: The M.A. in Critical Museum Studies program at UB inherently adopts a global perspective by acknowledging and addressing the challenges and shifts within a "newly globalized museum world." The curriculum encourages students to critically analyze how museums operate within diverse cultural contexts and respond to global pressures such as digital transformation and the increasing international flow of cultural heritage. The presence of a diverse international student body at UB further enriches discussions on global museum practices and ethical considerations. The program's focus on issues like repatriation and the impact of private capital on museums also underscores its engagement with the global dimensions of the cultural heritage sector.
Location
Buffalo, New York
Score
IELTS 6.5
Tuition Fee
USD 28210
Postgraduate Entry Requirements
Academic Qualifications: Applicants for postgraduate programs typically require a minimum academic achievement of 70% or above in their bachelor's degree.
English Language Proficiency:
- IELTS: Overall band score of 6.5 or 7.0 with a minimum of 6.0 in each component.
- TOEFL: Overall score of 90 or higher.
- PTE: Overall score of 61 or higher.
- DET (Duolingo English Test): Minimum score of 120.
The University at Buffalo (UB) offers a variety of scholarships and financial aid opportunities specifically aimed at supporting international students who wish to pursue their studies in the United States. These scholarships are designed to reward academic excellence, leadership, and community involvement, helping to make education more affordable for talented students worldwide.
Merit-Based Scholarships: UB provides competitive merit scholarships to outstanding international undergraduate and graduate students. Awards such as the International Student Academic Excellence Scholarship recognize high-achieving students based on their academic records, standardized test scores, and extracurricular involvement.
Graduate Fellowships and Assistantships: Graduate international students can apply for teaching assistantships, research assistantships, and fellowships which offer tuition remission and stipends. These opportunities allow students to gain valuable teaching and research experience while offsetting the cost of their education.
Departmental Scholarships: Many academic departments at UB offer scholarships tailored to students in specific programs or fields of study. These awards may consider academic merit, research interests, or financial need.
External Scholarships: UB encourages international students to explore external scholarship options from private organizations, governments, and international foundations that support study in the U.S. The university’s International Student Services office provides guidance on identifying and applying for such funding sources.
A Master of Arts (M.A.) in Critical Museum Studies from the State University of New York at Buffalo (UB) provides graduates with a distinctive and robust understanding of the contemporary museum landscape. This interdisciplinary program emphasizes theoretical inquiry, critical analysis, and a politically engaged perspective on museums, preparing professionals to navigate the evolving challenges of digital transformation, globalization, and social justice within cultural institutions. Graduates emerge with both academic depth and practical experience, making them highly adaptable for diverse roles within and beyond the traditional museum sector.
Museum Educator/Program Developer: Graduates are well-suited to design, implement, and manage educational programs for diverse audiences within museums, art galleries, and historical societies. They create engaging content, tours, and workshops that connect collections to visitor experiences, often focusing on critical pedagogy and community engagement.
Collections Manager/Registrar: These professionals are responsible for the physical care, documentation, and movement of museum objects. Their work involves cataloging, inventorying, ensuring proper storage and environmental conditions, and managing loans and acquisitions, often with an eye towards ethical stewardship and decolonization of collections.
Exhibition Developer/Designer: Graduates can contribute to the conceptualization, research, and execution of museum exhibitions. This involves collaborating with curators, designers, and educators to craft compelling narratives, select objects, and create immersive and critically engaging visitor experiences.
Cultural Heritage Specialist/Manager: Beyond traditional museums, graduates can work for government agencies, non-profits, or international organizations focused on the preservation and interpretation of cultural heritage sites, intangible heritage, and cultural landscapes. This might involve policy development, site management, or community outreach.
Digital Asset Manager/Digital Collections Specialist: With the increasing digitalization of cultural heritage, graduates can manage digital collections, create metadata, ensure digital preservation, and develop online access strategies for museums, archives, and libraries. Their critical perspective is valuable in navigating issues of digital equity and access.
Archivist/Special Collections Librarian: The program's emphasis on research, documentation, and critical engagement with historical records prepares graduates for roles in archives and special collections. They acquire, preserve, and make accessible historical documents, rare books, and institutional records, often specializing in unique or marginalized collections.
Museum Consultant: Experienced graduates can work as independent consultants or for consulting firms, advising museums and cultural organizations on strategic planning, audience engagement, collection management, digital strategies, and navigating contemporary challenges like deaccessioning or community co-curation.
Development/Fundraising Officer (Cultural Institutions): Graduates understand the mission and value of cultural institutions, making them effective in securing financial support. They identify funding opportunities, write grants, cultivate donor relationships, and manage fundraising campaigns to ensure the financial sustainability of museums and cultural organizations.
Cultural Policy Analyst/Advocate: With a critical understanding of the social and political roles of museums, graduates can work for advocacy organizations, government bodies, or think tanks. They analyze cultural policy, advocate for funding, and promote policies that support cultural institutions and heritage preservation.
Academic Researcher/Ph.D. Candidate: The M.A. program provides a strong foundation for students who wish to pursue doctoral studies in Museum Studies, Anthropology, Art History, or related humanities fields. This path leads to careers in university-level teaching and advanced research, contributing to the evolving theoretical discourse in the field.
