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Museum Studies

Shape the role of the museum in modern society.

Museum studies focuses on the presentation of cultural memory — which influences both mass culture and individual viewpoints that define who we are and what we value. Our program offers opportunities to investigate these questions across global communities.

This is a new major starting Fall 2024.

Overview
Build an interdisciplinary foundation of knowledge

Courses in our museum studies major reflect an interdisciplinary nature. There are course options in business, education, communications, psychology and environmental science — giving you a range of options to discover.

Learn how museums are managed

Your major in museum studies will develop an in-depth understanding of the design, organization and management of museums. This will help you create your path to becoming a curator, archivist, educator and more.

Go deep into public history and art

In this program, your primary courses will be focused on history and art.

Lower division courses will focus on the acquisition of an introductory knowledge of the history of world civilizations and the United States, as well as the fundamental skills needed to succeed in more specialized coursework. Upper division courses will offer you a variety of specialized classes, seminars and independent studies that allow more in-depth exploration of specific topics.

At a Glance

Degree Type

Bachelor of Arts

Department

History

School/College

College of Arts and Science

Next Steps

Interested in this major? Here's what you can do next:

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The Curriculum

With challenging and relevant courses, outstanding faculty, small class sizes, and an emphasis on hands-on learning, the museum studies program will position you to succeed in your chosen career.

Program Details

Find out what it takes to earn a degree in museum studies and explore the courses.


Highlighted Courses

Get familiar with some of the courses you might take in this major.

BUS 375: Principles of Marketing

The study of marketing methods and practices. Topics include policies and problems related to consumers, pricing, advertising, management information systems and distribution and management of the marketing function.

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ART 280: Design

An introductory study in the visual elements and principles of design and unity of expression. Includes creative exploration in two- and three-dimensional composition.

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COMM 306: Business and Professional Communication

A study of the principles involved in communicating in a professional environment. This class covers organizational communication and cultures, including team communication, conflict negotiation, leadership styles, group decision-making techniques, and business ethics.

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CHEM 111: Chemistry and the Environment

Explores the interface between chemistry and the world we live in, with particular emphasis on environmental issues such as pollution, energy depletion and global warming. The chemical principles required to understand these topics are introduced on an as-needed basis.

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PSYC 200: General Psychology

Covers the concepts and principles pertinent to psychological processes as social behavior, development, perception, thinking and symbolic processes, physiology, personality and psychological disorders. Introduces students to the empirical foundation of the discipline of psychology.

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HIST 343: Women in Global History

A thematic investigation of the "underside of history." The class explores several topics including women and their role in the development of agriculture and technology in the ancient Near East, the roles of women in the empires of Rome, the Moslems and China, the status of women in the Middle Ages in Europe and Japan, and the role of women leaders like Catherine the Great and Queen Victoria.

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Recommended Minors

Want to add even more value to your degree? Consider one of these minors to gain a unique combination of skills and perspectives.


Your Professors
Samuel Claussen

Associate Professor
David Nelson

Professor
Michaela Reaves

Professor and Chair of History
Chris Kimball

Professor
The Experience

We offer hands-on opportunities that give you the freedom to explore your passion through real-world work and prepare for a fulfilling career.

  • Internships

    Students have gained hands-on experience through internships at a number of locations, including:

  • Study Abroad

    Through study abroad opportunities, you’ll get to experience global perspectives on art in society and see how world-class museums operate.

  • Learning in Action

    As a community committed to inclusion and excellence, we encourage the capstone installation for the major to reflect the individual history of each student so that the variety of human experience can be shared.

  • Travel Seminars

    Faculty-led travel courses also allow students to explore histories at the sites of their creation. Students have had the opportunity to take travel seminars to Peru, Japan, and Germany in recent years.

Career Paths

Our graduates often pursue graduate work in the social sciences, law and church vocations; they’re equally well prepared to begin careers in teaching and administration, media reporting, library science, archival work, genealogy, public administration and museums.


Potential Careers

Archivists

Appraise, edit, and direct safekeeping of permanent records and historically valuable documents. Participate in research activities based on archival materials.

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Curators

Administer collections, such as artwork, collectibles, historic items, or scientific specimens of museums or other institutions. May conduct instructional, research, or public service activities of institution.

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Museum Technicians and Conservators

Restore, maintain, or prepare objects in museum collections for storage, research, or exhibit. May work with specimens such as fossils, skeletal parts, or botanicals; or artifacts, textiles, or art. May identify and record objects or install and arrange them in exhibits. Includes book or document conservators.

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Librarians and Media Collections Specialists

Administer and maintain libraries or collections of information, for public or private access through reference or borrowing. Work in a variety of settings, such as educational institutions, museums, and corporations, and with various types of informational materials, such as books, periodicals, recordings, films, and databases. Tasks may include acquiring, cataloging, and circulating library materials, and user services such as locating and organizing information, providing instruction on how to access information, and setting up and operating a library's media equipment.

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Historians

Research, analyze, record, and interpret the past as recorded in sources, such as government and institutional records, newspapers and other periodicals, photographs, interviews, films, electronic media, and unpublished manuscripts, such as personal diaries and letters.

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Fundraisers

Organize activities to raise funds or otherwise solicit and gather monetary donations or other gifts for an organization. May design and produce promotional materials. May also raise awareness of the organization's work, goals, and financial needs.

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Looking for more career paths? Search these related areas to discover more options.

Employers

Graduates from this major have gone to work at:

 

 

 

Graduate Schools

Our alumni have pursued advanced degrees at:

  • Harvard University
  • California State University Fullerton
  • California State University Northridge
  • George Washington University
  • San Jose State University
  • The John Hopkins University
  • University of California Los Angeles (UCLA)
  • University of Southern California (USC)
  • University of Sydney (Australia)
  • University of Texas
  • University of Washington

This page includes information from O*NET OnLine by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. Some occupations listed above may require a related graduate degree.

How We Prepare You for Success

We have 20,000+ employer contacts for jobs and internships, with over 200 listings posted each week.

Our excellent career counselors in the Career Services center will get in touch with you during your very first term on campus. They offer over 50 workshops each year on resume writing, interviewing, salary negotiations, applying to graduate schools, and other critical skills to help you begin your career successfully.

After you graduate from Cal Lutheran, you receive free access to Career Services for life, as a valued member of our alumni family.

Learn more about career outcomes

of Cal Lutheran graduates find a job or enroll in graduate school within nine months

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Tuition & Fees

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Scholarships & Grants

We offer a range of awards based on academic merit and financial need. This is money that does not need to be repaid.

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Financial Aid

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