Museum Studies, M.A.

Major Code: 5740

The degree program is designed to promote professional development and advancement in museum studies, public history, archives, and tribal museums and cultural centers.

Contacts

Graduate Advisor: Dr. Andrew Magnusson
Email: amagnusson@uco.edu
Office: LAN 200C
Phone: 405 - 974 - 5273

Admission Requirements

Submit the following items to:

Jackson College of Graduate Studies

100 N. University Drive, NUC 404
Edmond, OK 73034

Online application for admission (www.uco.edu/graduate/).
One-page cover letter (statement of interest) explaining why the applicant wishes to pursue the M.A. in Museum Studies.
Writing sample (research paper or seminar paper) demonstrating adequate research ability as determined by the graduate program director and the department’s graduate committee.
Two letters of recommendation.
Official copies of undergraduate and graduate transcripts from each institution attended with all degrees posted. All transcripts must be from accredited institutions.
Undergraduate and graduate transcripts from all institutions attended that record a minimum overall GPA of 2.75 or a minimum of 3.00 in the last 60 hours attempted.
Complete other prerequisites (if any) as determined by the graduate program director.
Students with a native language other than English must submit evidence of English language proficiency. See Admission to Graduate Studies - English Language Proficiency
Students falling below these standards may qualify for conditional admission. See Admission to Graduate Studies .

Note: Students must meet with faculty mentor/advisor in group or individual advisement session before enrolling

Other Requirements

Plan of Study. Each student must file a plan of study with graduate program advisor and the Jackson College of Graduate Studies by the end of the first semester of graduate work. The plan must be signed and dated by the student and the graduate program director before it can be considered official.
Academic Standards. Meet the following coursework standards:
- Overall GPA of 3.00 or higher.
- No more than 6 hours of “C.”
- No more than six director-approved hours from traditional correspondence courses.
Language Requirements. Demonstrate reading knowledge of a second language in one of the following ways:
- Pass a language examination administered by a faculty member or testing service, as approved by the graduate director and the department’s graduate committee.
- Produce evidence of having earned a “C” or better in two sequenced courses in a single second language (6 to 10 credit hours) at an accredited college or university. These hours will not count toward the M.A. degree.
Museum Studies Project or Thesis or Comprehensive Examination Options.
- Museum Studies Project Option: Students will be required to research, design, implement and synthesize a project focusing on an important aspect of museum practice and its practical application. Projects will include both production of physical examples or prototypes, as well as an explanatory synthesis covering the research and design rationale and process.
- Thesis Option: Students will prepare a prospectus and meet with the advisory committee during the early stages of thesis work for review and feedback. Students will complete an acceptable thesis and successfully defend it in public, provide two paper copies of the thesis and one electronic copy to the library through Proquest and the title page, original signature page, summary and abstract page to the Graduate College.
- Comprehensive Examination Option: Upon satisfactory completion of the written examination, students will take a one-hour oral examination administered by the advisory committee.
- All Options: Students must achieve a minimum score of “pass” on the museum studies project, thesis defense or comprehensive examination. With approval of the graduate program director, a student who fails the museum studies project, thesis defense, or comprehensive examination may petition to be reexamined in the graduate examination period the following semester.
Final Requirement: Apply for graduation through the JCGS by advertised deadline.

Graduation Requirements

Core Courses: 12 Hours

All graduate only courses to be approved by the graduate program director in conjunction with plans of study.

Museum Studies Required Courses: 12 Hours

Must be under supervision of Director of Museum Studies.

Guided Electives: 3 Hours

All history electives or other electives must be approved by the student’s advisory committee.

Capstone Experience: 6 Hours

TOTAL HOURS REQUIRED: 33 HOURS

Accelerated Degree Pathway: BA to MA

Students who are accepted to the undergraduate degree in Art History may apply to take 5000-level History courses up to a maximum of six hours during their senior year of the bachelor’s degree. These courses will count toward both the B.A. in Art History and M.A. in Museum Studies. The approved graduate courses are: HIST 5523 Museum Management (fall only) and HIST 5623 Museum Theory And Practice (spring only). These courses are specified on the degree sheet. During the last semester of their junior year or within 30 hours of graduation, an undergraduate student with a 3.0 overall GPA may apply for admission to the Accelerated Degree Program.
Students who are accepted to the undergraduate degree in History - Museum Studies may apply to take 5000-level History courses up to a maximum of six hours during their senior year of the bachelor’s degree. These courses will count toward both the B.A. in History- Museum Studies and the M.A. in Museum Studies. The approved graduate courses are: HIST 5523 Museum Management (fall only) and HIST 5623 Museum Theory And Practice (spring only). These courses are specified on the degree sheet. During the last semester of their junior year or within 30 hours of graduation, an undergraduate student with a 3.0 overall GPA may apply for admission to the Accelerated Degree Program.

Accelerated Degree Pathway (ADP) Requirements