M.S. in Biology
The M.S. in Biology at Western Illinois University is a graduate program leading to a M...
M.A. in Museum Studies
Quad Cities (Moline)
INTAKE: Jan & Aug
Program Overview
The M.A. in Museum Studies at WIU is a 38-semester-hour program that integrates academic learning with significant experiential opportunities. It is designed to be highly customizable, allowing students to tailor their studies through elective courses and hands-on experiences to align with their specific interests and professional goals. The program culminates in an in-depth museum internship experience and a Museum Seminar focused on professional portfolio development and networking. WIU also offers integrated undergraduate/graduate programs in disciplines like Anthropology, Art, and Recreation, Parks, and Tourism Administration, allowing students to seamlessly transition into the master's program with some shared credits. A Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Museum Studies is also available for those with a master's degree in another field who wish to gain museum-specific knowledge.
Curriculum: The 38-semester-hour curriculum for the M.A. in Museum Studies provides a strong foundation in core museum competencies. Required core courses include "Museum Origins" (history of museums), "Museum Administration," "Museum Exhibition," "Museum Collections Management," and "Museum Education & Evaluation." These courses cover essential aspects like ethical governance, strategic planning, interpretive exhibition development, collections policies, and learning theories in museums. Students then select five directed electives from a range of specialized topics such as "Historic House Museums," "Visitor Studies," "Museum Ethics," "Museums and Social Justice," and "Material Culture." The curriculum's interdisciplinary nature is further enhanced by the option to take electives from outside the department in areas like art history, anthropology, or recreation, parks, and tourism administration, allowing for deeper specialization.
Research Focus: The M.A. in Museum Studies at Western Illinois University emphasizes a blend of theoretical knowledge and practical application, with a strong underlying commitment to research-informed practice. While a formal thesis is not a universal requirement, the curriculum's emphasis on critical examination of current practices, evaluation methods (e.g., "Visitor Studies"), and problem-solving inherently involves research skills. Students are trained to understand and apply methodologies for analyzing visitor experience and improving museum programs. Graduate assistantships and practicum experiences often involve working on specific museum projects that may include research components. The program's commitment to "in-depth, hands-on, applied learning experiences" and preparing students to "preserve, present, and interpret the stories found within museum collections and the communities they serve" suggests a focus on the ethical and research-driven curation and interpretation of cultural heritage.
Industry Engagement: Western Illinois University's M.A. in Museum Studies program boasts exceptional industry engagement, highlighted by its extensive network of "QC Museum Partners." These local museums and cultural institutions serve as vital "training laboratories" where students gain professional experience through required internships, practicums, and graduate assistantships. Students annually contribute over 7,000 working hours to these partner organizations, gaining invaluable hands-on experience in areas like collections, exhibitions, education, and administration. The program also maintains institutional memberships with key professional organizations such as the Iowa Museum Association, Illinois Association of Museums, and the Association of Midwest Museums, providing students with access to professional resources, networking events (like the annual Career Conversations), and alumni connections. Faculty members, who often have extensive professional experience in museums, further strengthen these industry ties.
Global Perspective: The M.A. in Museum Studies at Western Illinois University incorporates a global perspective through its curriculum's focus on the historical foundations of museums and its emphasis on social justice and ethical considerations. "Museum Origins" explores the evolution of museums, which inherently involves understanding their development across different cultures and historical contexts. Courses like "Museums and Social Justice" and "Museum Ethics" address universal issues of representation, repatriation, and equitable access, which have significant global dimensions. While not explicitly offering dedicated international study components, the program's commitment to promoting "participatory practices that reflect the diversity of the surrounding community" and the faculty's recognition as "nationally and internationally for their teaching, research, publications, and professional service" signify an awareness of global museum trends and a commitment to preparing graduates for a globally interconnected museum field.
Location
Quad Cities (Moline)
Score
IELTS 6.5
Tuition Fee
USD 14000
Postgraduate Entry Requirements
Application Fee: $50
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 73 or higher.
- PTE: Overall score of 49 or higher.
- DET (Duolingo English Test): Minimum score of 105.
Western Illinois University – Quad Cities offers a range of scholarship opportunities specifically designed to support international students in pursuing their academic goals affordably. These scholarships recognize academic merit, leadership potential, and community involvement, helping ease the financial burden for students coming from abroad.
Merit-Based Scholarships: International students at WIU-QC can qualify for merit scholarships based on their high school or previous college academic performance. These scholarships reward outstanding grades, test scores, and other achievements, encouraging students to maintain excellence throughout their studies.
Western Illinois University International Student Scholarships: WIU provides dedicated scholarships for international students enrolled at the Quad Cities campus. These scholarships often cover a portion of tuition fees and are competitive, requiring students to submit applications demonstrating academic promise and involvement in extracurricular activities.
Departmental Scholarships: Many academic departments at WIU-QC offer specialized scholarships for students pursuing specific majors. These awards target disciplines such as business, education, engineering, and health sciences, supporting students who demonstrate and leadership within their field.
Graduates of Western Illinois University's M.A. in Museum Studies program emerge with a comprehensive understanding of museum operations, from collections management and exhibition development to education and administration. Their practical experience, coupled with a theoretical foundation and critical thinking skills, positions them for impactful careers in various cultural institutions. WIU's strong network of local museum partners and its excellent alumni placement record further enhance career prospects.
Collections Manager/Registrar: These professionals are responsible for the physical care, documentation, and movement of museum objects. They manage acquisition, conservation, inventory, and exhibition logistics, ensuring the integrity and accessibility of collections.
Curator: Graduates with a strong subject-matter background can research, interpret, and develop museum exhibitions, often specializing in art, history, natural science, or other specific collections. They may also be involved in acquisitions and scholarly publications.
Museum Educator/Program Developer: These roles focus on creating and delivering educational programs for diverse audiences (e.g., K-12 students, families, adults), designing interpretive materials, and engaging visitors through interactive experiences and workshops.
Exhibition Designer/Preparator: Graduates can work on the conceptualization, design, fabrication, and installation of museum exhibits, often combining artistic skills with an understanding of visitor experience and content interpretation.
Museum Director/Administrator: With experience, graduates can advance to leadership roles overseeing the overall operations, strategic planning, fundraising, staff management, and public relations for a museum or cultural institution.
Archivist: These professionals manage and preserve historical documents, photographs, and other records, making them accessible for research and public use in museums, historical societies, universities, or corporate archives.
Visitor Services Manager: Focused on the visitor experience, this role involves managing front-of-house operations, visitor flow, ticketing, and ensuring high-quality customer service, often supervising a team of visitor service associates.
Development/Fundraising Officer (Museums): Graduates can work in the fundraising departments of museums, securing grants, cultivating donors, and developing sponsorship opportunities to support the institution's programs and operations.
Museum Marketing/Communications Specialist: These professionals manage a museum's public image, develop marketing campaigns, handle media relations, and utilize digital platforms to promote exhibitions, events, and the museum's mission.
Historic Preservationist/Site Manager: For those interested in heritage, graduates can work for historic sites, national parks, or preservation organizations, managing the preservation, interpretation, and public access of historical buildings and landscapes.
