Program Overview
Prepare for a rewarding career as an educator, collections manager, museum technologist, or exhibit designer, among other positions in the Museum Studies Master’s Degree Program. In the museum studies program, you’ll:
- Build deep knowledge of museum operations, including program development and evaluation; visitor engagement and education; collections care and research; fundraising; marketing; and legal issues.
- Enhance your understanding of exhibition content development and design, museum technology, public outreach, communications, and social media.
- Graduate with a Harvard University degree: Master of Liberal Arts (ALM) in Extension Studies in the field of Museum Studies.
Courses
You’ll complete 12 courses to earn the museum studies degree, choosing from a variety of online courses, attending an applied active learning elective on campus, and completing a capstone project.
Example Courses
- Introduction to Museum Studies
- Introduction to Graduate Research in Museum Studies
- Collections Management: Issues and Solutions
- Museum Exhibition Content Development
- Museum Ethics: Framework and Practice
- Project Management
Stackable Certificates
As you work your way toward your master’s degree, you can take courses that also count — or “stack” — toward a graduate certificate. It’s a cost-effective, time-saving opportunity to build specialized skills and earn a professional credential along the way to your degree.
Stackable graduate certificates include:
Admissions
The path to your degree begins before you apply to the program. You’ll earn your way in through our performance-based admissions, completing coursework for admission and earning credits toward your degree right away.
Next Start Term
You can enroll in your first admission course this fall. Course registration opens July 21.
Featured Faculty
Our museum studies instructors bring a genuine passion for teaching, with students giving our faculty an average rating of 4.6 out of 5.
Katherine Burton Jones
Director, Museum Studies, Harvard Extension School
Laura B. Roberts
Principal, Roberts Consulting
Ed Rodley
Co-Founder and Principal at the Experience Alchemists
Kara Schneiderman
Deputy Director for Collections, Peabody Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology, Harvard University
Lily Sterling
Registrar and Exhibitions Manager, Special Collections, Boston Athenaeum
Cynthia Fowler
Professor of Art, Emmanuel College
Career Opportunities & Alumni Outcomes
Our museum program graduates work in art galleries, museums, historical societies, universities, and other institutions with archived materials and noteworthy objects, such as the Boston Red Sox. Some alumni continue their educational journeys and pursue further studies in other nationally ranked degree programs, including those at Columbia University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, New Hampshire Institute of the Arts, and Yale University.
Sample Alumni Job Titles
- Curatorial Research Associate
- Exhibitions and Collections Manager
- Museum Director
Sample Alumni Employers
- Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum
- The Met
- Smithsonian
Program Benefits
Experience a rigorous curriculum. 97% of recent graduates would recommend the program.
Access career advising and other services through Harvard’s Mignone Center for Career Success.
Pursue research or internship opportunities.
Complete an in-depth capstone project.
Gain exclusive access to Harvard libraries and museums.
Become a member of the worldwide Harvard Alumni Association (400,000+ members) and Harvard Extension Alumni Association (29,000+ members).
I pursued this degree while working full-time and growing my family — beginning the program as a parent of one and completing it as a parent of three. The flexibility and support offered by HES allowed me to balance my personal, professional, and academic responsibilities without compromise.
Master of Liberal Arts (ALM) in the field of Museum Studies, '25
Tuition & Financial Aid
Learn more about the cost of attendance.
FAQs
How do I know if the museum studies master’s program is right for me?
Choosing the right master’s program requires careful consideration, so it will depend on your unique life circumstances and goals.
However, if you aspire to work in museums, cultural institutions, or art galleries — or related fields, like historic preservation, education, or curation — the Museum Studies Master’s Degree Program at Harvard Extension School may be right for you.
How will the museum studies master’s program help me advance in my career?
A graduate degree in museum studies will provide you with an advanced understanding of the field and help you develop the skills and knowledge required to excel in various roles within museums, cultural organizations, and the heritage sector.
Many employers prefer — or even require — candidates with advanced degrees for higher-level roles. If you aspire to become a leader in your institution, a master’s degree in museum studies may be essential for advancing your career.
How long will it take me to complete the program?
Program length is ordinarily anywhere between 2 and 5 years. It depends on your preferred pace and the number of courses you want to take each semester.
For an accelerated journey, we offer year round study, where you can take courses in fall, January, spring, and summer.
While we don’t require you to register for a certain number of courses each semester, you cannot take longer than 5 years to complete the degree.
