Overview

Key features

Through the master’s degree in the field of Museum Studies at Harvard University, you:

Build deep knowledge of twenty-first-century 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.
Gain hands-on experience through intensive courses at Harvard museums, active-learning weekends at Smithsonian museums, and an optional internship.

Program overview

The degree includes 10 courses, with at least two taken on campus.

Get started. You begin by completing two stipulated degree courses as outlined on the degree requirements page. This is your opportunity to demonstrate your commitment and ability to perform well as a Harvard student.
Apply to the program. While you are completing your second degree course, you submit your application. We have application cycles in the fall, spring, and summer.
Continue your studies, online and on campus. As you progress through the program, you may choose from courses offered on campus or online year round, in the fall, spring, or summer. You are required to take at least two courses on campus. Weekend options available.
Gain real-world experience. Complete an optional internship under the guidance of a museum supervisor to expand your professional network and gain real-world experience.
Complete a capstone. You'll apply knowledge and skills obtained in the program to design, execute, and communicate a significant museum studies applied research project that will showcase your expertise to current or future employers.
Graduate with your Harvard degree. You participate in the annual Harvard Commencement, receiving your Harvard University degree: Master of Liberal Arts (ALM) in Extension Studies, field: Museum Studies.

Programme Structure

Courses include:

The Master of Liberal Arts, Museum Studies degree field consists of 10 courses, with a minimum of two courses on campus. Weekend options available.

10 Graduate Courses

The museum studies program is customizable. Within the program curriculum, you choose the museum studies electives that support your personal learning goals.

Museum Studies

Proseminar

Six electives

Optional internship or additional elective

The Capstone Proposal Tutorial (noncredit)

The Capstone

Key information

Duration

Full-time
- 12 months

Start dates & application deadlines

Starting 2026-01-27 00:00:00
- Apply before 2025-04-15 00:00:00
Starting 2026-09-03 00:00:00
- Apply before 2025-12-01 00:00:00

Language

English

IELTS

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PTE Academic

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TOEFL^® IBT

100

Duolingo English Test

125

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Credits

48 SCH

Delivered

On Campus, Online

Disciplines

Museum Studies View 83 other Masters in Museum Studies in United States

Academic requirements

GPA

English requirements

IELTS

Schedule an IELTS test!

PTE Academic

Schedule a PTE test!

TOEFL^® IBT

100

Duolingo English Test

125

Take A Free Practice Test!

Student insurance

Make sure to cover your health, travel, and stay while studying abroad. Even global coverages can miss important items, so make sure your student insurance ticks all the following:

Additional medical costs (i.e. dental)
Repatriation, if something happens to you or your family
Liability
Home contents and baggage
Accidents
Legal aid

We partnered with Aon to provide you with the best affordable student insurance, for a carefree experience away from home.

Get your student insurance now

Starting from €0.53/day, free cancellation any time.

Remember, countries and universities may have specific insurance requirements. To learn more about how student insurance work at Harvard University and/or in United States, please visit Student Insurance Portal.

Other requirements

General requirements

To begin the admission process, you simply register—no application needed—for the following two, graduate-level degree courses (available online):

MUSE 100 Introduction to Museum Studies
MUSE 102 Proseminar: Introduction to Graduate Studies and Scholarly Writing in Museum Studies
- Before registering, you'll need to pass our online test of critical reading and writing skills or earn a B or higher in the EXPO 42a Writing in the Humanities (counts as one of the six electives).
- You have two attempts to earn the minimum grade of B in the proseminar (a withdrawal grade counts as an attempt). The proseminar cannot be more than two years old at the time of application.

The two courses don't need to be taken in a particular order or in the same semester, but each course must be completed with a grade of B or higher, without letting your overall Harvard cumulative GPA dip below 3.0.

Tuition Fee

To always see correct tuition fees

International

32200 USD/year

Tuition Fee

Based on the tuition of 32200 USD for the full programme during 12 months.
National

32200 USD/year

Tuition Fee

Based on the tuition of 32200 USD for the full programme during 12 months.
In-State

32200 USD/year

Tuition Fee

Based on the tuition of 32200 USD for the full programme during 12 months.

Living costs for Cambridge

1814 - 3756 USD /month

Living costs

The living costs include the total expenses per month, covering accommodation, public transportation, utilities (electricity, internet), books and groceries.

Funding

Win a €10000 Scholarship! Deadline: 30 June 2020

Embark on your journey with the Studyportals Scholarship! We're giving away a total of 20,000 euros to help you achieve your dream of studying abroad.

Win a €10000 Scholarship! Deadline: 30 June 2020

Embark on your journey with the Studyportals Scholarship! We're giving away a total of 20,000 euros to help you achieve your dream of studying abroad.

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Scholarships Information

Below you will find Master's scholarship opportunities for Museum Studies.

Available Scholarships

You are eligible to apply for these scholarships but a selection process will still be applied by the provider.

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