Museum Studies Program

Since 1981 the graduate program in Museum Studies at the University of Kansas has offered training for professional careers in museums, historical agencies and related institution. The program’s curriculum provides an understanding of the nature of museums, historical agencies and related institutions as well as specialized training administered by the American Studies Program and the departments of Anthropology, Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Geology, and History. Students may also pursue a master’s degree in Indigenous Nations Studies with a museum studies track.

The Museum Studies Program’s core courses provide a solid foundation in the theories, history, techniques, and problemscommon to museums, historical agencies and related institutions as well as the specialized operations of such institutions. Students also receive classroom and field training in methods and subject matter within their chosen academic specialty tracks: American Studies, Anthropology, Geology, History, and Natural History. Museum Studies graduates are well-equipped to undertake professional responsibilities in museums, historical agencies, and related institutions.

A Faculty Advisory Committee administers the program in conjunction with the participating departments. The faculty of those departments and area museum professionals constitute the program’s broad range of opportunities for study in Museum Studies—the program draws upon the outstanding staff and resources of the University’s Anthropological Research and Cultural Center (formerly the Museum of Anthropology), Natural History Museum and Biodiversity Research Center, Spencer Museum of Art, Spencer Research Library, Wilcox Classical Collection, and Preservation Department of the University Library. In addition, nearby universities, historical agencies, specialized libraries, and museums participate in the Museum Studies Program. Although diversity is a hallmark of the various types of museums and historical agencies, they share many challenges, philosophies, and practices.