Program Overview

Overview

The MA in Museum Education, offered by the Department of Education, is designed for those interested in pursuing careers in art, history, science, and children's museums. As a student in the program, you'll prepare to find your place at the cutting-edge of the interesting and varied field of museum education. We seek applicants who can bring new thinking and leadership to the field at a time when museums are increasingly focusing their resources on community engagement, civic issues, and global problems.

Program Outcomes

The master's program in museum education prepares students to work with audiences of all ages, interests, and abilities in the informal learning environment of a museum. Students take courses in education, human development, psychology, museum studies, and content areas such as history or art history simultaneously.

You'll complete a museum practicum, arranged with academic help and supervision from your faculty advisors, and get the chance to apply your skills and knowledge in the real-world setting of a museum. With its convenient location just a few miles from downtown Boston, Tufts offers easy access to opportunities at the area's many museums, academic, and cultural institutions.

Graduates of the program typically pursue careers as educators or administrators in museums of all types and sizes.

Application Requirements

• Application fee.
• Resume/CV.
• Personal Statement: Elaborate on your reasons for wishing to pursue graduate study at Tufts and your vision of becoming a museum educator. Your personal statement should be a maximum of 2,500 words and single-spaced. Describe experiences, including inspiring individuals or events that motivated you to take this path.
• Official TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo English Test, if applicable.
• Transcripts
• Three Letters of Recommendation.

Tuition and Financial Aid

See Tuition and Financial Aid information for GSAS Programs. Note: This program is eligible for federal loans and Tufts tuition scholarships.

Tracks

Full-Time Track

The MA in Museum Education usually takes two years of full-time study. The program requires completion of eleven courses, including five required museum studies courses, a supervised museum internship, two required education courses, and four electives relating to the student's area of interest.

Part-Time Track for Working Professionals

Using a trimester format for graduate coursework, the part-time MA in Museum Education program allows working professionals to work full-time while attending courses in the evening, on weekends, and online, allowing completion of the program in two to three years. Requirements are the same as full-time study.

Sample Part-Time Schedule

• Term: Fall Semester
  • Courses:
    • ED 285: Museums Today: Mission and Function
    • ED 280: Teaching & Learning in the Museum
  • Offered:
    • Thursday, 6-9PM
    • Wednesday, 6-9PM
• Term: Spring Semester
  • Courses:
    • ED 281: Museum Education for K-12 Audiences
    • Psychology of Development (e.g. ED 130: Human Development and Learning)
  • Offered:
    • Wednesday, 6-9PM
    • Evening
• Term: Summer Session 1
  • Courses:
    • ED 287: Museum Evaluation
  • Offered:
    • Online
• Term: Summer Session 2
  • Courses:
    • UEP 191B: Philanthropy and Fundraising
  • Offered:
    • Tuesday, Thursday, 6-9PM
• Term: Fall Semester
  • Courses:
    • Education Foundation Course (e.g. ED 161: Anthropology and Sociology of Schooling; ED 167: Critical Race Theory Seminar: Issues in Urban Education)
    • ED 287: Museums and Digital Media
  • Offered:
    • Evening
    • Online (Tuesday, 6-9PM)
• Term: Spring Semester
  • Courses:
    • ED 282: Pro-Seminar in Museum Interpretation
    • ED 215: Exhibition Planning or HIST 290: The Meaning of Things: Interpreting Material Culture
  • Offered:
    • Monday, 6-9PM
    • Tuesday, 5-9PM; Thursday, 6-9PM (Respectively)
• Term: Summer
  • Courses:
    • Museum Practicum
  • Offered:
    • Timing varies based on opportunity (125 hours total)

Faculty

• Cynthia Robinson: Associate Teaching Professor, Museum Studies
• Cara Iacobucci: Lecturer, Museum Studies
• Joy Kubarek: Instructor, Education
• Tara Young: Lecturer, Museum Studies

Related Programs

• Museum Studies: Certificate, 1-2 years, Part-time (Daytime), On-campus, 15 credits, Application deadlines: Fall - May 15
• Art History and Museum Studies: Master's, 2 years, Full-time, Part-time (Daytime), On-campus, 39 credits, Application deadlines: Fall - Jan 15
• History and Museum Studies: Master's, 2 years, Full-time, Part-time (Daytime), On-campus, 33-34 credits, Application deadlines: Fall - Jan 15

Program Details

• School/Department: Education
• Program Director: James Golden
• Format: On-campus
• Commitment Options: Full-time, Part-time (Evenings)
• Average Duration: 2 years (full-time)/2-3 years (part-time)
• Credits: 33
• Tuition per Credit: $1270
• Eligible for Aid/Scholarship: Yes
• Application Deadlines:
  • Fall: Jan 15
  • Spring: n/a
  • Summer: n/a
• Anticipated Entry Term:
  • Fall 2026
  • Fall 2027
  • Fall 2028
  • Spring 2026
  • Spring 2027
  • Summer 2026
  • Summer 2027
• Degree & Program of Interest:
  • Degree: Certificate, Doctorate, Masters
  • Program: Various programs offered by Tufts University
• International Student Information:
  • This information will only be used for providing international student communication.
  • Yes/No option for indicating international student status.