MA Museum Studies or Arts Management??

[Gypsyrissy]

Hello! 

First of all, I need to decide between a masters in museum studies and arts management! I applied to both types of programs and I have already been accepted into each. 

I am not really sure how I am going to make this decision for the fall. I have some really good schools and programs to decide between and if anyone has any information about them, I would love to hear it. I went to UCSC for undergrad but I would like to move to Washington D.C. for graduate school because I really like the art history museums there. I am not exactly sure what career I am pursuing but I think I am interested in development or public relations for a museum. These are the programs I'm deciding between so any input would be greatly appreciated! 

Georgetown University Master's in Art and Museum Studies 

American University Master's in Arts Management 

Johns Hopkins University Master's in Museum Studies (Online)

George Washington University Master's in Museum Studies

George Mason University Master's in Arts Management 

John F. Kennedy University Master's in Museum Studies and MBA Combined 

Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!!!!!!

[Need Coffee in an IV]

Hey, I'm also applying to museum studies programs! I'm more on the science side of things though. Did any of them offer funding? My mom works in DC so I visit her and it is a really cool place. I'm not sure if I can help much since I'm applying this cycle as well. I'm just happy there is another museum person posting ha.

[standardstamps]

First of all, congrats on all of the schools you were accepted to! Since you think you might want to pursue a career in development or public relations, you might want to consider which schools offer courses/opportunities for you to explore these areas. Of course there are exceptions, but arts management programs will usually be more business focused than museum studies programs.

From my somewhat limited experience, none of the development or public relations staff that I have worked with received a degree in museum studies. I'm not saying that it is impossible to be successful in those areas with that degree, but most museum studies programs are curatorial/education/collections management focused.

I would suggest really thinking about your career objectives. If you are unsure, you might want to go to the museum studies route (or MBA combo), which would have a more generalized curriculum.

This blog post might help you out! http://museumblogging.com/2011/11/23/how-to-pick-a-good-graduate-program/

Good luck!

[nutella]

I agree with @museumstudiesplease that you should think about your career objectives. I've been working in the museum field for a few years now and have a MA in museum studies. I've never come across anyone working in museum development or PR to have a museum studies degree. The development people who I've met tend to have a background in non-profit development. Some have never worked in a museum before. I think most museum studies programs tend to focus on education, collections management/registration, and curatorial work because the skills involved in those departments are very unique, and rarely transferable to other types of jobs outside of the art/museum sector. Development and PR is not really limited to just museums and museum-like institutions. 

I would definitely do more research into each of the programs to see what courses they have to offer that would go well with your professional interests.