Minor in Museum Studies
College of Arts & Sciences
Understanding the Past. Curating the Future.
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A World of Experience
The interdisciplinary curriculum of the museum studies minor draws from art, history, religious studies, and sociology to develop the broad knowledge and skills necessary for a variety of jobs into the museum field. Students are also prepared for graduate school.
The visual arts department manages the Baker University art collection. The collection, which holds over 1,000 objects, provides diverse examples of technique, composition, and media. Students gain real-world experience in art collection management and maintenance as part of the museum studies curriculum.
Program Information
Campus
College of Arts & Sciences
Undergraduate
Minor
What Is Museum Studies?
Museum Studies is an interdisciplinary academic field focused on how museums and cultural institutions collect, preserve, interpret, and present artifacts and ideas to the public. At its core, it explores the role museums play in shaping historical narratives, cultural identity, and public knowledge.
Museum Studies combines elements of history, art, sociology, archaeology, and business to prepare students for work in museums, galleries, archives, and cultural organizations. It emphasizes both theory and hands-on practice, helping students understand not only what museums display—but also how and why they present it.
Museum studies education focuses on:
- Understanding how museums function within society
- Analyzing the narratives and perspectives presented in exhibits
- Developing skills in organizing, preserving, and presenting artifacts
- Learning how museums engage audiences
Program Overview
At Baker University, Museum Studies is offered as a minor through the Department of History, Culture, and Society.
Key Goals of the Program
Students completing the Museum Studies minor are expected to:
- Understand museum operations and management basics
- Explore challenges faced by museums and their societal role
- Develop exhibit design and presentation skills
- Critically evaluate museum narratives
- Learn artifact processing, storage, and collections management
Internship Opportunities
Internship at a museum such as Quayle Bible Collection, Holt-Russell Gallery, Baker or Methodist Archives, and Old Castle Museum at Baker or the Spencer Museum of Art at the University of Kansas.
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Coursework & Requirements
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- MS 111 Introduction to Museum Studies
- Internship at a museum such as Quayle Bible Collection, Holt-Russell Gallery, Baker or Methodist Archives, and Old Castle Museum at Baker or the Spencer Museum of Art at the University of Kansas
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- AH 111 Survey of Art History
- AS 232 Graphic Design
- AS 282 Fine Art of Gallery Management
- HI 226 Laboratory Course in Historical Method
- RE 101 Introduction to World Religions
- SO 115 Principles of Sociology
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- AS 382 Fine Art of Gallery Management II
- HI 344 Outside of the Classroom: Inquiries in Public History
- RE 400 The Museum and the Bible
- SO 364 Culture and Society
- Any upper-division art history course (AH prefix)
- Upper-division history course approved by professor on record