Undergraduate Course Descriptions
Required Courses
MST 1300 - Introduction to Museum Studies Introduction to the historical development of museums, the museum profession, and the field of museum studies.
*Effective Fall 2026, MST 1300 is on the Contemporary Social Issues Distribution List.
Areas of Study
Administration
MST 4301 - Nonprofit Perspectives Overview of museum and nonprofit administration, with emphasis on governance, oversight, budgetary planning, fundraising, public relations, and ethics.
MST 4302 - Introduction to Outreach and Community Relations for Museums Exploration of the development of outreach techniques in U.S. museum field. Hands-on experience researching, creating, and executing strategies in advertising, public relations, marketing, and development/fundraising. Develop a marketing plan for a museum/archive/library partner institution.
*Effective Fall 2026, MST 4302 is on the Engaged Learning Distribution List.
MST 4311 - Museum Administration Exploration of issues pertaining to non-profit administration, including working with a board of trustees, budgetary planning, fund raising, grant writing, marketing, public relations, ethics and best practices and standards as promulgated by the American Alliance of Museums accreditation program.
MST 4313 - Introduction to Ethical Issues in Museum Collections Management Ethical issues in museums, libraries, and archives. Emphasis on collections management issues such as fakes and forgeries, accessioning and deaccessioning, cultural patrimony, interpretation and exhibition, and repatriation.
*Effective Fall 2026, MST 4313 is on the Contemporary Social Issues Distribution List.
Collections
MST 3304 - Introduction to Cultural Collections Management Examines cultural collections in museums, libraries, and archives, including their historical development; their role in society; and their use in scholarship, education, and public programming.
MST 4304 - Museum Collections Management Examination of the intellectual, physical, legal, financial, social, and ethical challenges of preserving and providing access to museum collections. Explores the theory and practice of collections management and how to utilize available resources for collections care in any museum regardless of size.
MST 4324 - Archival Collections and Museums The history of records and recordkeeping systems, the organizational structure of museums, and the respective roles of collectors and researchers in the archival environment.
Curation
MST 4307 - Historic Buildings and Sites Varieties and techniques of historic preservation in America.
*Effective Fall 2026, MST 4307 is on the Engaged Learning Distribution List.
MST 4308 - Introduction to Material Culture The material evidence of American life, including everyday artifacts, and those reflecting social and political history.
MST 4309 - Introduction American Decorative Arts Guide to the origins, nature and display, as well as chronological and geographical classification of American decorative arts.
*Effective Fall 2026, MST 4309 is on the Fine Arts Distribution List.
MST 4310 - History and Curation of Book Collections History of books and book collections, best practices for their intellectual and physical care and curation of books.
Education
MST 3303 - Museum Educational Programming Explores types of museum education that encompasses both directed/formal education programs and free choice/informal learning opportunities. Examines the history of museum education and ways to create engaging educational programming that will attract visitors and adapt to different learning styles.
*Effective Fall 2026, MST 3303 is on the Engaged Learning Distribution List.
MST 4303 - Advanced Museum Education Explores how education inspires museums and museums inspire education. Examination of the history, theory, and practice associated with the question, "What is museum education?"
MST 4331 - Exhibit Design and Preparation Exhibit design as a way to meet the needs, interest and learning styles of museum visitors.
*Effective Fall 2026, MST 4331 is on the Engaged Learning and the Fine Arts Distribution Lists.
MST 4362 - Curriculum and Teaching in Informal Education Environments This course is designed as the final experience for students finishing their minor in informal education and preparing to enter the job market after graduation. Students engage in an immersive practicum experience in the field and design/develop and complete a professional project.
Professional Practice
MST 2300 - Museum Professions Focus on methods, systems, and roles in museum operations. Analyzing trends and current topics, networking with museum professionals, and experiential learning in local museums.
MST 2311 - Exploring Informal Science Institutions Survey of collections, engagement, and trends in museums, science centers, zoos, environmental sites, and national and state parks.
MST 2330 - Special Topics in Museum Studies Topics not covered in other museum studies courses. May be repeated once under a different topic.
MST 3330 - Special Topics in Museum Studies Topics not covered in other museum studies courses. May be repeated once under a different topic.
MST 4330 - Special Topics in Museum Studies Advanced topics in museum studies not covered in other museum studies courses. This course may be repeated once under a different topic.
MST 4V60 - Museum Internship Internship in the daily operation of a museum or related organization and completion of a specialized project.
*Effective Fall 2026, MST 4V60 is on the Engaged Learning Distribution List.
Research
MST 3V9R, MST 4V94R - Research
Undergraduate research undertaken with the supervision of a faculty member.