Master of Museum Studies


The Master of Museum Studies (MMSt) inspires critical thinking, leadership and innovation in the museum and heritage sectors

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Student curators Nikita Lorenzo-Vicente and Amanda McNeil sit in front of Florin Hategan's Vertical Series prints (photo by Romi Levine)
Class of 2018 MMSt grads Nikita Lorenzo-Vicente (left) and Amanda McNeil wanted to show the city of Toronto and its people in a more inclusive way for their final year Exhibition Project. Read more  (photo by Romi Levine)

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.

Capstone Pathway Thesis Pathway
All of the following Museum Studies courses:

 

Year 1 required courses:

All of the following Museum Studies courses:

 

Year 1 required courses:

Year 2 required courses:

 

Year 2 required courses:

 

Electives:

 

  • Complete the remaining 4.0 credits
    • at least 2.0 credits must be MMSt elective courses
Electives:

 

  • Complete the remaining 2.5 credit requirements
    • at least 0.5-credit must be an MMSt elective course

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

Tonya Sutherland explored the history of Emancipation Day in Windsor for her Jackson Park Project in her final year
Tonya Sutherland explored the history of Emancipation Day in Windsor for her Jackson Park Project in her final year

Alumni Profiles

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  • Student Learning Outcomes

  • Careers in Museum Studies

  • Professional Associations