What’s the status of Museum Studies? The answer is complex, nuanced, and becoming increasingly charged. Museum professionals and enthusiasts seeking a degree have their choice of programs. But what academic standards and methods of accountability are in place? What is the balance between theory and practice? Are there too many programs? Not enough jobs? Are graduates prepared to forge a new vision of museum relevancy? We all need these answers, so join in this critical conversation. Presenters: Richard Toon, PhD, Associate Research Professor, Director Museums and Museum Studies, Arizona State University Adrienne McGraw, Museum Studies Program Chair, John F. Kennedy University Adrien Mooney, Registrar, Utah Museum of Fine Arts Terri Leong, Staffing Administrator, San Francisco Museum of Modern Art

1. A Critical Eye on Museum
Studies
WMA October 2014

2. Balance between theory
and practice in museum
studies program
Most important aspects of
graduate degree

3. In the long run, has your degree
aided you on your path to working in
a museum?
85%
15%
Given the opportunity, would you do
25%
this degree again? 75%

4. • “I would pursue my degree again because I have enjoyed solid employment because of
it. With that said, it is difficult to see how my degree distinguishes me any longer. The Bay
Area now has three Museum Studies programs. While a MA is necessary to get your foot
in the door, my internships and contracting work is what makes my resume stand out. I
am not sure if I would have had the opportunities without the guise of pursing my
degree. So, the MA is necessary, but tricky.”
• “If I was starting out today I don't think I would because the market seems to be
oversaturated and now knowing that the pay doesn't match the cost of a degree at
many schools, I would probably volunteer and do online courses if necessary. This isn't a
reflection on the value of what I learned. My program was great and I have used
everything I learned but I don't know if I would pursue a career in museums at all given
the popularity of museum studies program and the scarcity of jobs.”
• “In today's market, one must simply have a MA in order to be considered for some
unpaid internships or entry level part-time positions. This is by no means sustainable; what
student can afford to take a low paying or non-paying position when there are student
loans to pay back? I think the field is eliminating very qualified and interesting
candidates by requiring applicants to have an MA degree in order to be considered for
some of these positions. The pool of candidates for museum jobs will slowly but surely
become more and more self-selecting because of the nature of current hiring practices
and new programs. “

5. Dr. Sean Fitzpatrick, John F. Kennedy University

6. Results from the
concept mapping
research project
showing the clusters
of responses to the
question: What skills
and attributes do
museum
professionals need to
possess to
successfully work in
the 21st Century
museum?
Dr. Sean Fitzpatrick, John F. Kennedy University

7. Learning Outcomes
JFK University Museum Studies Program
1. Research
2.Community Engagement
3. Business Management Literacy
4. Communication Capacity
5. Agency

8. Contacts
Terri Leong
University of California, Berkeley
terri.leong@berkeley.edu
Adrienne McGraw
John F Kennedy University
amcgraw@jfku.edu
Adrien Mooney
Utah Museum of Fine Arts
adrien.mooney@umfa.utah.edu
Richard Toon, PhD
Museums and Museum Studies
Arizona State University
richard.toon@asu.edu