Museum Science and Management

The Museum Science and Management (MSM) master's program at The University of Tulsa provides both interdisciplinary course work and hands-on experience. It is designed to prepare future museum professionals in the areas of administration, fiscal management, collections care, research and education.

Program overview and outcomes

Students gain experience using objects and collections in research, exhibition, publication and programming, as well as a background in museum administration, leadership and fundraising. Internship opportunities are available at regional and national cultural institutions that provide practical experience for students in their selected areas of specialization.

MSM faculty provide mentoring to ensure students gain a broad understanding of professional opportunities and responsibilities. Program graduates are ready to take up careers in museums, historical agencies, archives, national parks and related institutions.

Prospective students

TU's MSM program is open to students who have earned an undergraduate degree in any academic discipline from an accredited university. Admission to a particular track within the MSM program, however, may be limited based on prior coursework and is decided by the MSM graduate committee.

Facilities

Gilcrease Museum is one of the country's best facilities for the preservation and study of American art and history. It houses the world's largest, most comprehensive collection of art and artifacts of the American West, including historical manuscripts, documents and maps, as well as an unparalleled collection of Native American art and artifacts.

TU's Helmerich Center for American Research is home to the Gilcrease Library and Archive, a collection that includes an array of materials telling the story of America. The Helmerich Center is also home to a paper conservation lab and a digitization studio, while TU's McFarlin Library curates complementary collections.

The Henry Zarrow Center for Art and Education, across from Guthrie Green in downtown Tulsa, provides exciting new gallery space for contemporary exhibits and a suite of art education classrooms.

Master of Arts in Museum Science and Management

Students who successfully completes a master's degree in Museum Science and Management will:

1. Develop basic skills for cataloging museum and archival collections.
2. Learn basic conservation principles needed by all museum professionals
3. Learn to design the layout for an exhibition and to write descriptive labels.
4. Demonstrate an understanding of legal and ethical perspectives of museum work.
5. Gain experience in working with committees.
6. Understand how to use visitor survey data to evaluate exhibitions and programs.

You will need to provide the following with your application for admission:

• A statement of academic purpose. You will find the prompt for the statement of purpose in our Application Question FAQs. 
• A list of all the prior colleges or universities you have attended, accompanied by unofficial transcripts from each school. Unofficial transcripts should be uploaded with your application. Official or paper transcripts are not needed at this time. 
• Three letters of recommendation. Enter the names of your recommenders directly in the application, and they will receive a link to upload a letter on your behalf. 
• $105 application fee or fee waiver. 
• Standardized tests. GRE requirements vary by program. TOEFL or IELTS are necessary for most non-native English speakers. 
• Resume/CV. 
• Some programs have additional requirements, such as a writing sample. You can find information about any specific requirements on the program's website. 

TOEFL or IELTS is required of most applicants whose native language is not English.

If you have received (or will receive) an undergraduate degree from a college or university where English is the primary language of instruction, and if you have studied in residence at that institution for at least three years, you are exempt from the English Language Test requirement and are not required to submit the TOEFL or IELTS. 

No exemptions are made on the basis of an advanced degree (e.g. M.A./M.S. or Ph.D.) from any institution.

When you complete your application, you will answer questions about your native language and the primary language of instruction at your baccalaureate institution. If either was English, you will not be required to submit TOEFL or IELTS scores when you submit your application. No separate documentation is necessary. 

Although the Graduate School does not have set test minimums for admission, individual departments use these test scores as part of their holistic review of your application. Please check with the department to which you are applying to see if they have a minimum requirement. The Graduate School does require incoming doctoral students who received a score of 25 or below on the TOEFL Speaking section or a 7.5 or below on IELTS Speaking section to participate in a Summer English Language program at Yale in August prior to matriculation. These students are required to demonstrate English proficiency before they are permitted to teach.

Identify the program and degree you want.

Decide if you will apply for a Ph.D. or a terminal Master’s (M.S., M.A., M.A.S.) in one of the programs available at the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences. (Note that you will earn one or more Master's degrees en route to a Ph.D.) Learn about the program: its faculty, course offerings, and resources. Read the faculty's research publications. If you can identify and articulate why the program is a good fit for you and show how your preparation and interests align well with it, you will have a strong application.

A note to students applying to one of Yale’s professional schools or programs:

Verify the application deadline for your program.

Application deadlines vary by program, so please see Dates and Deadlines for information about your program of interest. All new students enroll in the fall, and the admissions process begins nearly a year in advance of matriculation.

Determine what standardized tests you need to take. Register early.

Some Ph.D. and Master’s degree programs require Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores. Check your program's standardized testing requirement before you apply. In addition, applicants whose native language is not English may need to take an English Language test (TOEFL or IELTS).

Complete your application.