The University of San Francisco’s Museum Studies MA program is designed for students ready to engage critically with museums and cultural institutions in an evolving global context. With a sixteen-month curriculum that blends theory and practice, students gain hands-on experience in curation, collections management, education, technology, museum administration, and advocacy.
Situated in the heart of San Francisco, the program offers direct access to world-class institutions like SFMOMA, the de Young Museum, and the California Academy of Sciences. Through internships, site visits, guidance by highly-awarded professors and professionals, and collaborations with local museums, students build essential skills while exploring how cultural spaces can foster inclusivity and social change.
Graduates have pursued roles such as curators, collections managers, museum educators, and exhibition designers. Beyond traditional museum settings, alumni have also ventured into adjacent sectors such as libraries and archives, higher education, national parks, zoos, aquariums, and wildlife reserves. Our program’s emphasis on practical experience, combined with San Francisco’s vibrant cultural landscape, equips students with the skills and networks necessary to excel in various professional paths. Whether leading educational initiatives, managing art collections, or integrating art with technology, USF Museum Studies alumni are making significant contributions to the museum and cultural sector.
Our program follows a cohort model, where all applicants are considered for the fall semester. Applicants must provide all college transcripts (including any Associate’s, Bachelor’s, Master’s, PhD degrees, or international equivalent), a resume/CV, a Statement of Purpose, and two letters of recommendation. We do not require the GRE.
Schedule a meeting today with USF’s Museum Studies Program Manager or learn more about the program and application process at usfca.edu.
