Hands-on
You will receive hands-on training with St. Thomas and community partner museums in museum studies core courses.
Museum Studies
The interdisciplinary museum studies minor at the University of St. Thomas introduces the ways that museums work and the theories and practices of museums in both historical and contemporary contexts. The minor offers opportunities to develop interests in numerous aspects of museum careers, including exhibitions, collections management, education, administration and visitor studies.
Why Study Museum Studies at St. Thomas?
Museums are tools for learning, which reflects the university’s vision to prepare students for a complex and contemporary world. We accomplish this by engaging you thoughtfully in interdisciplinary work advancing the common good. Museum studies is flexible, meaning you can combine courses from across the university to suit your specific interests, goals and program concentrations.
Real Skills for the Nonprofit Sector
Course Requirements
The minor consists of five courses from different disciplines. You complete two core classes focusing on exhibitions and collections, as well as trends and practices in museums today. From there, you can take courses focusing on business, communication, social science, history and education. You will also have access to opportunities outside of the classroom such as internships and independent studies.
Four-Year Plan
Museum studies is a flexible minor that allows you to pursue a variety of courses that interest you. Learn how these courses can fit into your four-year plan below.
Degrees Awarded
Minor in Museum Studies
Outside of the Classroom
Museum studies core classes partner with local museums for hands-on experiences during the semester. Plus, as service learning courses through the Center for the Common Good, the core classes will build your professional network as you are making a difference in the community. In addition, our students have recently completed internships at Minneapolis Instite of Art, Minnesota Historical Society and Hennepin History Museum.
Course Requirements
Course Requirements
The minor consists of five courses from different disciplines. You complete two core classes focusing on exhibitions and collections, as well as trends and practices in museums today. From there, you can take courses focusing on business, communication, social science, history and education. You will also have access to opportunities outside of the classroom such as internships and independent studies.
Four-Year Plan
Four-Year Plan
Museum studies is a flexible minor that allows you to pursue a variety of courses that interest you. Learn how these courses can fit into your four-year plan below.
Degrees Awarded
Degrees Awarded
Minor in Museum Studies
Outside of the Classroom
Outside of the Classroom
Museum studies core classes partner with local museums for hands-on experiences during the semester. Plus, as service learning courses through the Center for the Common Good, the core classes will build your professional network as you are making a difference in the community. In addition, our students have recently completed internships at Minneapolis Instite of Art, Minnesota Historical Society and Hennepin History Museum.
Work Behind-the-Scenes
From designing exhibitions to evaluating visitor experiences, our students, faculty and alumni are working behind-the-scenes to make museums matter in the 21st century.
Gabbi Gillette ‘19
Gabbi’s internship with the Minneapolis Institute of Art was both, as she explains, eye-opening and fun. She worked with the Audience Engagement department on visitor evaluation and social media projects. The internship led her to research the ways in which exhibition displays and reframed artwork alter the visitor experience. The internship also resulted in Gabbi’s decision to pursue a St. Thomas graduate degree in Art History and Museum Studies.
Nikki Karg '19
Nikki will graduate with a bachelor's degree in business administration with a concentration in leadership and management and a museum studies minor. Nikki’s museum studies minor was a perfect fit because of her career goal: to strengthen and diversify leadership skills in the nonprofit sector. Nikki prepared to make a difference as an alumna by working with the Pinky Swear Foundation and researching museum leadership structures in the Twin Cities through an individual study.
The Opportunities Are Endless
Museums studies prepares you for a variety of careers in multiple industries, with a focus on the nonprofit sector.
- Museum communications – Grant Writer
- Museum collections – Collections Manager and Registrar
- Non-profit foundations – Social Media Manager
- Gallery management – Gallery Assistant and Donor Liaison
- Museum visitor services – Historical Researcher and Interpreter
- Museum education and visitor services – Audience Engagement Manager
Practical Experiences
Our program prides itself on providing students with unique and practical experiences inside and outside of the classroom.
Flexibility
You can double-count courses between your majors and the minor, opening a flexible pathway to nonprofit careers.
13%
The expects museum jobs to increase 13% between 2016 and 2026.
Faculty With Real Experience
Dr. Amy Nygaard
Dr. Nygaard's research interests include postcolonial aesthetics, contemporary art of the global south and new museum theory.
Dr. Heather Shirey
Dr. Shirey's research focuses on the African Diaspora in Brazil, the Caribbean, Europe and the United States.
Dr. Andy Barnes
Dr. Barnes is an associate professor of Aztec and Mesoamerican Art.
Experience That Matters
We provide opportunities for students to understand the inner workings of museums, from collections all the way to the visitor experience.
The American Museum of Asmat Art
The American Museum of Asmat Art houses over 2,500 objects, one of the largest collections of its kind. The museum seeks to be the preeminent teaching collection in the country and is dedicated to preserving the collection, presenting thematic exhibitions, while educating both students and the public about Asmat art and culture.
In Action
Museums studies students are constantly in action and partnering with regional institutions. From object cataloguing and photographing at the Hennepin History Museum to exhibition and programming evaluation at the Weisman Art Museum, students in the minor work in the field before graduation.
Put Your Knowledge to Work
Students have the option of completing an internship as part of their museum studies minor. Opportunities for developing professional networks include internships at the Minnesota Historical Society, Minneapolis Institute of Art, Saint Paul Cathedral Archives, Walker Art Center, Minnesota Landscape Arboretum and Excelsior-Lake Minnetonka Historical Society.
Deepen Your Knowledge
There are eleven departments across St. Thomas with courses that apply to the museum studies minor, which means you will be able to choose courses matching your personal interests and career goals.
Practical Skills
Upon completing the minor students will have a robust and diverse portfolio of projects and skills that directly apply to the museum and nonprofit sectors.
Take the Next Step​
There is more to learn about St. Thomas; including our ranking as a Best Value School by U.S. News & World Report, the many classroom and extracurricular activities that will be part of your student experience and so much more. Schedule a visit to see our beautiful campus or start your application today.