<img height="1" width="1" style="display:none" src="https://www.facebook.com/tr?id=637525146410015&amp;ev=PageView&amp;noscript=1">
Skip to content
Close
SEARCH
Apply
Give
Apply
Give
Academics
About Wooster
Visit & Apply
Connect

Museum Studies Minor

Explore how museums preserve, interpret, and share art, history, and culture while gaining hands-on experience through interdisciplinary study.

SH_05581
Program Overview

Why study Museum Studies?

Museums do more than preserve collections. They tell stories, connect communities, and help people understand art, history, culture, and the world around them.

The Museum Studies Minor introduces students to the theory and practice of museum work through interdisciplinary coursework and experiential learning. Students explore how museums collect, interpret, preserve, and present objects while developing practical skills that complement a wide range of academic majors.

At Wooster, learning extends beyond the classroom. Students engage with exhibitions and collections through the College of Wooster Art Museum, where they gain firsthand experience with curatorial practice and have opportunities to exhibit their work as part of their academic experience.

187

Interdisciplinary Learning

Complement majors across the liberal arts with the study of museums, collections, and cultural heritage.

38

Hands-On Experience

Connect classroom learning with experiential courses and opportunities to engage directly with museum exhibitions and collections.

155

Museum Expertise

Learn from faculty and museum professionals connected to the College of Wooster Art Museum.

The Wooster Advantage

Why add a Museum Studies minor?

  • Complement a wide range of majors with an interdisciplinary understanding of museums and cultural institutions.
  • Balance classroom study with hands-on learning through experiential coursework.
  • Learn from faculty and museum professionals with expertise in museum practice, curation, and collections management.
  • Study alongside the College of Wooster Art Museum, where exhibitions, collections, and student projects become part of the learning experience.
  • Develop research, interpretation, and communication skills that prepare you for work across the museum and cultural heritage fields.
Dilyard2526-0108_resized_7094x4202

Academic Opportunities

161

Explore museums from multiple perspectives.

The Museum Studies Minor consists of six courses that combine foundational study with practical experience.

Students complete:

  • MUST 11000: Introduction to Museum Studies
  • At least one experiential course
  • At least two theory courses
  • Additional electives to complete the six-course minor

Together, these courses provide an introduction to museum practice while allowing students to explore the field through both academic study and applied learning.

Hero - New and Articles

Ready to Explore Museum Studies?

Whether you're interested in art, history, archaeology, anthropology, education, or cultural preservation, the Museum Studies Minor provides an interdisciplinary foundation that prepares you to preserve, interpret, and share the stories that shape our world.

Career Opportunities

The Museum Studies Minor provides valuable preparation for careers and graduate study in many areas.

It also complements many majors by developing skills in research, interpretation, communication, and public engagement.

Key Areas:

Background

Museums

Background

Galleries

Background

Archives

Background

Cultural and historical organizations

Background

Arts administration

Background

Public history

Background

Collections management

Meet Your Professors

Museum Studies students learn from faculty and museum professionals who bring expertise in art history, curation, museum practice, and experiential learning. Through close mentorship and the resources of the College of Wooster Art Museum, students connect academic study with real-world museum experiences.

Kara Morrow

Kara Morrow

Professor of Art and Art History; Chair of Museum Studies
Olivia Navarro-Farr

Olivia Navarro-Farr

Professor of Archaeology, Sociology, and Anthropology; Program Chair for Archaeology
Madonna Hettinger

Madonna Hettinger

Lawrence Stanley Chair and Professor of Medieval History
Claire J. C. Eager

Claire J. C. Eager

Assistant Professor of English
Mark Graham

Mark Graham

Lincoln Chair of Religion; Associate Professor of South Asian Studies; East Asian Studies; Co-Liaison to the Museum & Archival Studies Pathway; Associate Dean of Academic Advising
Tracy Cosgriff

Tracy Cosgriff

Associate Professor of Art and Art History, Middle Eastern & North African Studies