Master of Museum Studies

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Master of Museum Studies (MMSt) Program Director: Prof. Irina Mihalache

Museums are for People by People

The Master of Museum Studies (MMSt) program brings together leading researchers and practitioners to offer students the theory and professional experience they need to play a leading role in a wide variety of cultural institutions, from museums and galleries to science centres and heritage sites:

• We empower our students to apply critical thinking and challenge cultural institutions to become more relevant to their communities
• We research, apply and communicate existing and evolving theories and socially responsible museum practices
• Our students gain the critical knowledge, skills, and boldness to advocate for change in cultural institutions

Program Highlights

• Capstone Project: Students in their final year of study design a project in collaboration with partnering cultural institutions. They develop their exhibitions from initial concept to final public showing.  Explore some of our previous exhibition projects here.  
• Internships: Students participate in optional internships, developing their skills at museums and heritage institutions across Canada and beyond.  Learn more here.  
•  Renowned Researchers:  Our faculty members participate in ground-breaking, interdisciplinary research in areas covering archeology, anthropology, visual studies, communication, education, sociology and food studies.
• Professional colleagues: Our instructors include directors, managers, curators, conservators, interpretive planners, and education specialists at museum and heritage institutions. 

Degree Requirements & Pathways

Students in the MMSt program can follow 1 of 2 pathways to completing their degree requirements:

1. Capstone pathway
2. Thesis pathway

All MMSt students complete fifteen 0.5-credit courses (7.5 credits total), regardless of pathway chosen. Once students complete 7.5-credits, they will be marked for graduation and no additional courses can be taken. In the process of completing the 7.5-credits, students might be eligible to request to take up to 1.0-credit of “extra” courses that do not contribute to degree requirements.

Students are eligible to complete their pathways by incorporating courses from collaborative specializations, and/or include an internship experience. This is a 2-year program, only offered on a full-time basis.

The MMSt internship (MSL3000HY, 0.5-credit) is a 12-week Summer internship opportunity in a recognized museum, gallery or related institution to link theory with practice. To be eligible for the MMSt internship, students are required to take MSL3900H in their Year 1 Fall term.

Collaborative specializations are offered to students enrolled in the MMSt program. Note: Students must apply and be admitted to both the MMSt program and the Collaborative Specialization of interest.

Students are able to take their Year 1 required courses in Year 2 as long as it is not a pre-requisite to a Year 2 required course. It is, however, recommended that you complete your Year 1 required courses in Year 1 as they provide foundational knowledge.  

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Program News

• A Tale of Two Islamic Art and Material Culture Fellows
• New Museum Studies award aims to recognize excellence, involve graduates in community
• Jackson Park Project brings Black Canadian History to fore

Alumni Profiles

• Class of 2019 grad jumps into job at TD Bank Art Collection
• Class of 2000 grad leads 70-person conservation team at Tate
• Class of 1994 Grad mentors current Museum Studies students

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