IMPORTANT LINKS

Frequently Asked Questions

General Program Questions

    Q : What is the difference between the Master’s Degree program, the Certificate in Museum Studies, the Distance Education Certificate in Museum Collections Management and Care?

    A :The Master’s program typically takes two years to complete (42 credits) and requires a Bachelor’s degree for admission. It is designed for those who seek a deepening of their primary academic interest along with training in the broad range of methods required in the successful operation of museums.

    The Certificate in Museum Studies Program is designed specifically for foreign museum professionals who wish to study one or more of the functional aspects of museum work in the United States. The Certificate program is also open to U.S. students who hold at least a master’s degree in an appropriate academic subject. Areas of concentration include Museum Administration, Collections Management and Exhibition Development. The program requires 18 credits - typically one calendar year of study (late August to mid-August).

    The Distance Education Certificate in Museum Collections Management and Care is designed for those working or volunteering in U.S. museums with collections management responsibilities that are, for various reasons, unable to attend classes at GW. This program may be completed entirely online. Four 3-credit courses are completed in four consecutive semesters: fall, spring, summer and fall, one course per semester.

    Q : How many students are in the Museum Studies program?

    A :Currently, there are 107 Master's and Certificate students in the program.


Financing Your Education Questions

    Q : How much is tuition at GWU?

    A :Click here for current tuition rates.

    Q : Do you offer Fellowships and other types of Financial Aid?

    A :Yes; Museum Studies has fifteen half-tuition fellowships that it awards annually in the Fall based on academic merit. Students should apply by January 15 and indicate on their applications that they wish to be considered for these fellowships.

    Many students receive financial aid in the form of Federal Stafford Loans, applied for through GW's Office of Student Financial Assistance. No loans are currently offered for the Distance Education Certificate in Museum Collections Management and Care.

    Some Museum Studies students benefit from the assistance of the University's Office of Graduate Student Assistantships and Fellowships or are able to find employment within The George Washington University community through the assistance of GW's Career Resource Center.

    Once students are enrolled as a student in the Museum Studies Program more fellowship opportunities open up. A number of fellowships are open to the students from The George Washington University and from outside organizations.

    One such fellowship is the Career Development Fellowship, Career Development Fellowships are intended to assist students who are working/interning either full- or part-time and are pursuing or wish to pursue graduate (Master's level) study at GW to enhance their knowledge and skills assumed that these students will add the dimension of real world experience to the classroom and that they will, in turn, employ the new knowledge and skills from their courses at GW in the workplace.


Application Questions

    Q :Are applicants required to hold a Bachelor’s degree in a certain field?

    A :Applicants must hold a Bachelor's degree with a major, or its equivalent, in an academic subject relating to museum collections. Some common majors are Anthropology, American Studies, History, English, Psychology and Biology, but other majors are also accepted.

    Q :What undergraduate GPA and GRE scores do I need to be accepted into the program?

    A :Applicants should have academic background of excellence. Normally, a B average (or equivalent) from an accreditated college is required. For details Click Here.

    Q :What is the ETS code for GRE submission?

    A :The ETS code for the Columbian College of Arts and Sciences is R5246. The Museum Studies program does not have a specific ETS code.

    Q :Does my Statement of Purpose have to be a specific length?

    A :Statements of Purpose are typically 250 – 500 words, but have no set length.

    Q :Which of my transcripts do you require?

    A :Official or certified copies of academic records from all colleges and universities attended, whether or not the program was completed. This includes study-abroad and summer-study programs. If academic records are in a language other than English, a certified English translation must be provided. Certification must be by an official government agency or authorized official, such as a notary public.

    Q :Do I have to send all of my application information in at once?

    A :Not necessarily. While it is best to send all of your information in at once, you can submit parts of your application separately (i.e. Letters of Recommendation). When doing so, please include a note with your application indicating which pieces will be sent separately.

    Q : Where do I send my application?

    A : Applications should be typed, if possible, and sent to:

    The Columbian College of Arts and Sciences
    Office of Graduate Admissions
    Philips Hall, Room 107
    801 22nd Street, NW
    Washington, DC 20052

    You can also complete an application online.

    Q : Whom do I contact to check the status of my application?

    A :Please contact the graduate admissions office at gradinfo@gwu.edu to check if your application is complete.

    Q : When are the application deadlines?

    A : For the Master’s Program admission is offered in the Fall semester. Occasionally, we open admissions for the Spring semester on a space available basis. The deadline for Fall applicants is March 1, while the deadline for Spring applicants is October 15. Students are strongly encouraged to apply early (i.e. the first week in February for Fall admission and the first week in September for Spring admission) as admission to the Museum Studies Program is competitive.

    Applications for the Distance Education Certificate in Museum Collections Management and Care must be received by June 1. The admissions for the Distance Education Certificate for Fall 2008 have been suspended. Please check back for admission for Fall 2009.

    International applicants requiring I-20 or IAP-66 forms for this university for F-1 or J-1 visas must submit all required documents by January 15 for the Fall semester.

    If you are applying for a departmental fellowship you need to apply by January 15.

    You will typically receive communication within 6 weeks regarding the acceptance of your application. If you have not, please contact us at muse@gwu.edu to check on its status.

    For the Certificate Program, students usually begin in the Fall semester Applications are considered on rolling basis, but early application is recommended (by March 1).

 

 
Museum Studies Program, 2147 F Street NW, Washington, DC 20052. | Phone: 202-994-7030 | Fax: 202-994-7034