Master of Arts Museum Administration

Master of Arts in Museum Administration

Create a Museum-Worthy Career

You know museums give people a rare and thrilling glimpse into the past. Combining public history and public administration into one focused program, Norwich University’s online Master of Arts in Museum Administration program prepares you for middle- and upper-level leadership roles within historical museums, societies and similar open institutions. You will gain the training needed to lead and make history accessible to a wide audience. Build your museum as a business by understanding the deep knowledge of museum studies, methods and practices, and the skills to run a complex nonprofit.

Expect an online learning environment designed for adult learners like you. Your intimate classrooms will include students from varying stages of the field – from recent undergraduates, military veterans and secondary school teachers to current museum professionals who want to advance their careers. 

Norwich is ready to meet you wherever you are in your career. You will not only learn to describe, preserve, curate and interpret visual artifacts, written documents and material culture but also acquire skills in exhibition development and project management. With your degree from Norwich, you will synthesize this expertise in museum methods and practices with personnel management, marketing, fundraising, strategic planning, budgeting, grant-writing and ethics.

You, at Norwich

Create a career in the museum field or advance your current career.

Prepare for leadership roles in historical museums and societies, national parks and other cultural institutions.

Learn from expert museum practitioners and leaders, who are dedicated to helping you build and shape your future in the museum field.

Acquire the skills and training to describe, preserve, curate and interpret visual artifacts, written documents and material culture.

Combine your training in museum studies with practical skills in management, marketing, fundraising, budgeting, human resources and more.

Apply to the only online master’s program that helps you research and plan for your professional internship in advance

Balance school, work and military schedules with a flexible curriculum.

Start any of four terms each year with no GRE and no application fee.

Accreditation & Recognition

NECHE Accredited

 Norwich University is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (formerly the Commission on Institutions of Higher Education of the New England Association of Schools and Colleges, Inc.).

Next Master's Session Start Dates: 

WINTER: November 18, 2024

SPRING: February 17, 2025

SUMMER: May 19, 2025

Program & Details

At a Glance

No GRE/GMAT required Undergraduate GPA of 2.75 or higher

 

 

Contact Admissions

Monday - Friday: 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. EDT    
Extended hours available by appointment

Call: 1-866-684-7237    
learn@norwich.edu

Transfer Credits


You may receive the equivalent of up to 12 semester credits for study conducted elsewhere. Norwich complies with VA regulations and guidelines as it pertains to transfer credits.
Learn more »

International Admissions


Norwich University welcomes students from all countries who want to study through our online programs. You must complete all steps in the admissions process.
International Admissions »

Norwich Alumni Benefits


Reconnect with Norwich to complete your master's degree. As apart of our alumni community, you are eligible for a $2,500 scholarship and other benefits.
Connect with our advisors »

Non-Discrimination Statement

Norwich University, in compliance with Title IV of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendment of 1972, and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, age, sex, or physical handicap in any of its policies, practices, or procedures.

Eligibility Requirements

 

  • A bachelor's degree from a regionally or nationally accredited U.S. institution, or an equivalent degree from a foreign institution, as evaluated by a NACES approved agency. 
  • If English is not your first language, proof of English language proficiency is required. This can be demonstrated in one of three ways:
    • TOEFL - a minimum score of 550 (paper-based test) or 80 (Internet-based test) is required.*
    • IELTS – a minimum composite score of 6.5 is required.*
    • The applicant holds a baccalaureate or master’s degree from a college/university/institution in which the primary language of instruction was English.

Please Note:  All eligibility requirements are expected to be met unless noted in specific articulation agreements or memoranda of understanding (MOUs).

Application Process

We encourage you to contact an admissions advisor (see below) if you need help at any stage of the application process. You will be required to submit the following items:

  • Application form
  • Official transcript of your undergraduate degree from a regionally or nationally accredited university, mailed to the address below.
  • Proof of English language proficiency if applicable (TOEFL)

Transcript Links

Mail transcripts to:
Norwich University
College of Graduate and Continuing Studies
P.O. Box 367
Northfield, VT 05663

For electronic delivery, we accept transcripts delivered from Parchment, National Clearing House, and other services if sent to cgcsamt@norwich.edu via password protection.

To contact an admissions advisor:

Call: 1-866-684-7237
Email: learn@norwich.edu

The degree combines four seminars from the Public History concentration of the M.A. in History with two seminars from the Master of Public Administration (MPA) to create a new stand-alone master’s degree unique in Norwich University’s online offerings. The M.A. in Museum Administration degree gives students subject matter knowledge of museum functions and administrative policies.  Students will be prepared to work in museum jobs such as digital exhibition, preservation, curation, cataloging, project management, and education from the Public History concentration.  Students will add subject matter knowledge of leadership, management, marketing, fund-raising, strategic planning, budgeting, and grant-writing in the MPA seminars. The M.A. in Museum Administration will prepare graduates to compete for administrative and leadership positions in the museum field. The internship will entail an immersive experience and a capstone project of significant professional value. Some courses include:

HI 533 -- Museum Studies
An intensive graduate-level seminar teaching the technical skills and knowledge to work in permanent museum institutions in the service of society and its development, which acquire, conserve, research, mediate, interpret, communicate, digitize, and/or exhibit the tangible and intangible heritage in ethical and professional ways for the purposes of education, study, and enjoyment of the public. 

AD 552 -- Nonprofit Administration
This course of study focuses on the administration and management of tax-exempt organizations that derive their funding and mandates from individuals, foundations, and governmental sources. Topics include the legal framework of nonprofit organizations, organizational design, fiscal management, fundraising, grants, contracts, assessment and planning. Students will study best practices for leadership and management, nonprofit governance, and the effective use of volunteers. Finally, students will review the role of technology with special attention to information integration and assurance. 

HI 563 -- Internship and Capstone
In this culminating graduate-level Public History seminar, students will complete their Capstone projects during a 300-hour Internship at a museum, historical society, archive, park, library, government agency, genealogical society, or similar institution. Working as interns under the supervision of qualified staff members, students will execute their plan and apply their research at institutions previously identified and approved during HI 553. The Capstone Projects will be of sufficient quality and substance that they could be displayed to the public, used by researchers, or mounted in online exhibits. 

Norwich’s online master’s courses are delivered over 11 weeks at a time, and the typical program completion time is 18 months. To view additional program details such as course offerings, requirements, and curriculum maps for the Museum Administration program, visit the Norwich University Course Catalog using this link.

Online Master's

When applying for a graduate program at Norwich University, there are two essential factors to consider: what does it cost, and how can you pay for it? There are many ways to get financial assistance and several financial strategies that can help you achieve your academic and professional goals. We are here to help you identify and pursue the options that are best for you.

Tuition at a Glance
Credit Hours: 30
Cost Per Credit Hour: $550 - $698
Additional fees & military discounts may apply.


Financial Aid Resources
Paying for your Education

Quick Info

100%

Online

Courses completed entirely online

15

Students

Maximum number of students per class

18

Months

Average time to program completion

Alumni Testimonials

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I believe that going back to school and choosing Norwich has allowed me to demonstrate the importance of lifelong learning to my children.

Kimberly Mallonn

'15 Master of Science in Organizational Leadership

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The government, foreign policy, and military side of Norwich made it seem like that would be a great institution to learn from. It turned out it was.

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Every advisor, teacher, and counselor throughout my degree completion was heavily invested in helping me succeed in the classes and helping me to craft and refine the skills [needed] for a career in national security.

Ryan Leonard

'21 Bachelor of Science in National Security Studies

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The time requirements of an active-duty couple with family life are not easy, but the reputation of Norwich to both demand rigorous academic effort while also accommodating the demanding schedule of an active-duty professional was tough to ignore.

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'24 Master of Arts in Strategic Studies

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The faculty members were subject matter experts. Their academic and real-world experience made the courses challenging in a way that you were always bettering yourself and gaining relevant knowledge.

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Kimberly Mallonn

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Kelso Horne

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Andy Blanco

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Christopher Wrubel

Faculty & Staff

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David J. Ulbrich

Position(s):

  • Associate Dean of the Arts and Sciences Division
  • Academic Director in History and Military History
  • Associate Professor

Careers & Outcomes

The museum field is broad and highly diverse, and professional opportunities are expected to increase. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the job outlook for archivists, curators and other museum workers is expected to rise by 12% in the next decade (2021–2031), much faster than average. The annual mean wage for curators, for example, in museums, historical sites and similar institutions is $60,900*. The annual mean wage for the same role within the executive branch of the federal government is $88,710* (*May 2021)

Our graduates can be prepared for roles in:

  • Curator
  • Museum Educator
  • Exhibit Designer
  • Digital Storytelling
  • Preservation, Restoration, and Conservation
  • Project Management
  • Development Officer
  • Cultural Resource Specialist
  • Living History Interpreter
  • Community Outreach
  • Historical Consultant
  • Museum Leader/Supervisor