Frequently Asked Questions
General Program Questions
Q: How many students are enrolled in the Museology Program?
A: We currently have 51 graduate students in the program. The total number of students varies from year to year but will never be larger than 60.
Q: Does the Museology Graduate Program have an Advisory Board?
A: Yes. Our Museology Advisory Board includes representatives of all major museums in the greater Seattle area, as well as the Smithsonian, the Field Museum in Chicago, and the Henry Ford Museum in Michigan.
Q: Where do Museology students fulfill their internship requirement?
A: Our students are required to complete at least one internship with a University related institution including the Burke Museum, the Henry Art Gallery, Special Collections within the University Libraries, the Herbarium, the Fish Collection, or the Arboretum. They are also required to complete at least one internship at an institution within the broader museum community. Our students regularly find placements within all of the major museum institutions in the greater Seattle region, as well as many of the smaller ones. They have also been successful in finding placements in other parts of the country and internationally, such as the National Museum of the American Indian in New York. Internship placements depend on each student's resources and initiative.
Q: Where do Museology students work after graduation?
A: Approximately three fourths of program graduates obtain a job within nine months of graduation. Most are currently working in natural history and culture museums, art museums, history museums, tribal museums, special subject museums and other organizations around the country and around the world in positions such as museum director or administrator, registrar, collections manager, educator, curator, development staff, and researcher. See where our graduates are working »
Q: What is the difference between the Museology Graduate Program and the Museum Studies Certificate Program?
A: The purpose and mission of the Museology Graduate Program is be the foremost national training program for museum professionals, by providing advanced instruction in all areas of museum practice, promoting interdisciplinary collaboration, and teaching students to think critically about the work of museums. Founded in 1972, this two-year intensive program culminates in a Master of Arts in Museology. Its interdisciplinary curriculum attracts students with backgrounds in art history, history, archeology, biology, anthropology, geology, botany and ethnology.
The Museum Studies Certificate Program is designed for current and aspiring volunteers and museum staff members seeking additional education. It provides practical, hands-on aspects of museum work and participants complete a project tailored to their individual learning goals. This non-credit program meets on Saturdays in Seattle from October to June. For more information on the Museum Studies Certificate, please click here.
Admissions Questions
Q: How many applications do you receive each year and how many new students do you admit?
A: The program receives approximately 120-140 applications annually. On average, 25 to 30 students are invited to join each year.
Q: Can I apply for admission for Winter, Spring or Summer Quarters?
A: No. Admission to the Museology Graduate Program is only offered on an annual basis with a new class beginning each Autumn Quarter.
Q: Are there any GRE or GPA requirements for admissions to the Museology Program?
A: We have no threshold qualifying GRE score. The average GRE score of successful applicants over the past two years has been 1200. The average GPA was 3.6. However, these are only two of the metrics that are considered during the application selection process. References, resumes, writing samples, and statements of purpose are also as important.
Q: What is the Educational Testing Service GRE reporting code for the Museology Graduate Program?
A:The GRE reporting code for the University of Washington is 4854. You do not need to specify a department code. For more information on the GRE, please visit the Educational Testing Service website.
Q: Are GRE subject tests required for admission?
A: No, only the General Test is required for the admission process.
Q: What type of background does the typical applicant have?
A: Approximately 40 percent of the admitted students over the past five years have had backgrounds and interest in anthropology, archaeology, or ethnology. Approximately 30 percent have had a background and interest in history. Approximately 20 percent have had a background and interest in art or art history. The remainder have had interests and backgrounds in the hard sciences such as botany, zoology, geology, and paleontology.
Q: Are there any academic prerequisites for admissions into the program?
A: Students must meet the University of Washington Graduate School requirement for admissions. Beyond that, there are no discipline specific prerequisites. Successful applicants must demonstrate a commitment to the field of Museology and a passion for museums.
Q: What are the Graduate School requirements for admission?
A: Admission to the University of Washington is necessarily a selective process. Prospective students will ordinarily meet the following minimum requirements:
- Hold a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university in the U.S. or its equivalent from a foreign institution.
- Have earned at least a 3.0 or B grade-point-average in the most recent 2 years of study.
Q: How do I arrange a visit to discuss the program and visit the UW Campus?
A: Visits to discuss the program can be arranged by appointment during the academic year. Visitation between quarters or over the summer is limited. Please contact us at least two weeks in advance so that we can accommodate your request.
Q: How can I arrange a tour of the UW Campus?
A: For information on campus tours, please click here.
Q: How can I contact current students and alumni from the Museology Graduate Program?
A: You can contact current Museology students and alumni by clicking here. Your message will be sent to a general distribution list of students and alumni who have volunteered to answer prospective student questions.
Q: Does the statement of purpose have to be specific length?
A: Your statement of purpose should be between 3 and 5 double spaced pages.
Q: Will I be notified once my application is complete?
A: No; with the new online application format you will be able to monitor your application to determine when all of your materials have been received.
Fee and Financial Aid Questions
Q: Is there a difference between resident and non-resident instructional fees?
A: No. The Museology Graduate Program is a fee-based program, so there is no residency requirement. Instructional fees are currently $4,200 per quarter.
Q: Does the Museology Graduate Program offer scholarships or financial aid?
A: A limited number of scholarships are awarded through the Museology Graduate Program; typically, five to 10 are granted each year. Students are encouraged to apply for graduate fellowships or for work-study positions. Financial aid information is available at www.washington.edu/students/osfa/.
Q: Is Work study available to Museology graduate students?
A: Work study opportunities are offered on an annual basis. The program usually offers three year-long student worker positions. Museology students can also hold work study positions in other departments on campus.
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