Museum and Gallery Studies

Program: MUSM
Credential: Ontario College Graduate Certificate
Delivery: Full-time
Work Integrated Learning: 1 internship
Length: 3 Semesters
Duration: 1 Year
Effective: Fall 2024
Location: Barrie

Description

Students acquire a comprehensive foundation in museum and gallery work. They develop capabilities in the main technical areas common to all museums and galleries: conservation and collections management, exhibition design, public programming, and administration. Students advance their existing knowledge through a blend of engaging academic instruction and experiential learning opportunities such as technical practice and an internship.

Career Opportunities

Graduates of this program will be prepared to work in a variety of positions within the museum and gallery industry, including:

  • museum/gallery conservator assistant,
  • museum registrar,
  • collection technician,
  • curatorial assistant,
  • educator,
  • animateur,
  • museum extension officer,
  • exhibition technician

Graduates may also find employment in museums and galleries in areas related to visitor services, marketing and publishing.

Program Learning Outcomes

The graduate has reliably demonstrated the ability to:

  1. apply knowledge of the history, development, and philosophy of museums and galleries, as well as their associated professions, to museum-related work;
  2. manage the care and conservation of objects in collections;
  3. participate in the management, growth, and development of a museum/gallery collection;
  4. manage records for a museum or gallery collection;
  5. assess the impact of environmental conditions on materials in a museum or gallery collection;
  6. monitor and control the museum and gallery environment;
  7. monitor, protect, and maintain artifacts that are in storage as well as those on display, in transit, or on loan;
  8. research and interpret museum and gallery collections; 
  9. develop, deliver, and evaluate educational programs;
  10. coordinate temporary, permanent, and touring exhibitions, as well as satellite projects;
  11. manage the routine operations of a museum or gallery in the for-profit or not-for profit sectors;
  12. apply the principles of budgeting and financing, including grant writing, fund raising, and other related activities, to the operation of a museum or gallery;
  13. complete museum-related work in accordance with best practices, ethical standards, and museum standards;
  14. apply the work practices related to museum studies in environmentally responsible and sustainable ways that are beneficial to the community.

Program Progression

The following reflects the planned progression for full-time offerings of the program.

Fall Intake - Barrie

  • Sem 1: Fall 2024
  • Sem 2: Winter 2025
  • Sem 3: Summer 2025

Admission Requirements

  • Post-secondary diploma or degree, or equivalent work experience 

Graduation Requirements

13 Program Courses
1 Internship

Graduation Eligibility

To graduate from this program, a student must attain a minimum of 60% or a letter grade of P (Pass) or S (Satisfactory) in each course in each semester. The passing weighted average for promotion through each semester and to graduate is 60%.

Program Tracking 

The following reflects the planned course sequence for full-time offerings of the Fall intake of the program. Where more  than one intake is offered  contact the program co-ordinator for the program tracking.

Plan of Study Grid
Semester 1Hours
Program Courses  
MUSM 1000 Understanding Museums and Galleries 42
MUSM 1001 Curatorial Practices 42
MUSM 1002 Collection Management 42
MUSM 1003 Exhibition Design 42
MUSM 1004 Museum and Gallery Management 42
MUSM 1006 Preventative Conservation Techniques 42
 Hours252
Semester 2
Program Courses  
MUSM 1005 Technical Practices 42
MUSM 1007 Educational Programming and Delivery 42
MUSM 1008 Advanced Museum and Gallery Management 42
MUSM 1009 Advanced Collection Management 42
MUSM 1010 Research Methods for Museums and Galleries 42
MUSM 1011 Advanced Exhibition Design 42
 Hours252
Semester 3
Program Courses  
MUSM 1013 Museum Studies Portfolio 42
Internship  
MUSM 1012 Museum Studies Internship 560
 Hours602
 Total Hours1106

Graduation Window

Students unable to adhere to the program duration of one year (as stated above) may take a maximum of two years to complete their credential. After this time, students must be re-admitted into the program, and follow the curriculum in place at the time of re-admission.

Disclaimer: The information in this document is correct at the time of publication. Academic content of programs and courses is revised on an ongoing basis to ensure relevance to changing educational objectives and employment market needs. 

Program outlines may be subject to change in response to emerging situations, in order to facilitate student achievement of the learning outcomes required for graduation. Components such as courses, progression, coop work terms, placements, internships and other requirements may be delivered differently than published.

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