Museum Studies Program

Last Updated: December 15, 2021

1600 Holloway Avenue

San Francisco, CA 94132

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Director(s)

Prof. Edward M. Luby
[email protected]
415-338-2176

Program Introduction

Established in 1987, the Museum Studies Program at San Francisco State University admits 10-15 students each year. The program offers a terminal MA and an undergraduate minor. Approximately 475 students have graduated from this interdisciplinary program, with a current average of 10 students graduating annually. San Francisco State Museum Studies is a top producer of original research among Museum Studies programs across the US, with nearly 100% of recent graduates employed within 1 year of graduation. The program is recognized as a high-quality program by the Western Interstate Commission on Higher Education's Western Region Graduate Program, which offers tuition reciprocity to residents of the 15 westernmost states.

Degrees Offered

  • Museum Studies Degree, Certificate, or Minor

Program Strengths

  • Archival Practices
  • Digital Media
  • Historic Preservation
  • Local/Community History
  • Material Culture
  • Museum Studies

Credit Hour Requirements

Minimum of 33 units for M.A.; 18 units for Minor

How Many Students are Admitted Annually

BA5

MA15

MAs produced last year

20

Financial Aid Available

In-State tuition status for residents of westernmost states; scholarships; assistantships in its teaching museum.

Deadline To Apply

February 1

Internship Requirements

Internships are arranged by the student and/or by the faculty at an off-site museum, after advising. The internship is a core requirement in the M.A. degree, with 3 semester units earned after a minimum of 144 worked. In the Minor program, the internship is a capstone practicum, arranged with program advising; 3 semester units are earned after 120 hours worked.

Places Where Students Have Interned During the Past 3 Years

  • California Academy of Sciences
  • Exploratorium
  • San Francisco Airport Museums
  • The Magnes Collection at UC Berkeley
  • The Hearst Museum of Anthropology at UC Berkeley
  • SF MOMA
  • Presidio Officer’s Club Heritage Program
  • The Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco
  • The Children’s Creativity Museum of San Francisco
  • The Oakland Museum of California
  • Interior Museum, Department of the Interior
  • Hayward Area History Museum
  • Golden Gate National Recreation Area Archives
  • cYark

Job Placement Assistance

Dedicated list-serve of local, regional and national postings, and word-of-mouth postings from our network. Networking support with alumni.

Employers Who Have Hired Graduates from this Program within the Past Five Years

  • Lucas Museum of Narrative Art
  • The Metropolitan Museum
  • MOMA New York
  • Walt Disney Family Museum
  • SFO Airport Museums
  • San Francisco Art Commission
  • Center for Creative Photography, University of Arizona
  • Oakland Museum of California
  • Children’s Discovery Museum of San Jose
  • Girl Scouts of Northern California
  • SF MOMA
  • Filoli Gardens
  • California Academy of Sciences
  • Asian Art Museum
  • Museum of the African Diaspora
  • Burke Museum
  • Charles M. Schulz Museum
  • San Francisco Maritime Museum
  • National Park Service
  • Golden Gate National Recreation Area
  • American Embassy School, India
  • San Francisco State University
  • Jan Shrem and Maria Manetti Shrem Museum, UC Davis
  • Santa Cruz Museum of Art and History
  • Woodbury Museum of Art, Utah Valley University