Open Forum

 View Only

  • 1.  MA: Georgetown vs. American University

    Posted 19 days ago

    Hi all! 

    My name is Kate, and I am a young professional working in San Francisco at a small non-profit art museum as a Program Developer and Operations Manager.

    I'm hoping to get some advice on picking a school for my MA program. I am between Georgetown's MA in Art and Museum Studies (3 semesters) and American University's MA in Art History (4 semesters). 

    A few things to consider:

    1) I plan to pursue a PhD in the future, but I will likely not apply right out of my MA.

    2) My BA was in Architecture, although I have pivoted into the art world and have been educating myself on art history for the last few years.

    3) I hope to either work as a curator or in museum education in the future.

    4) I am particularly interested in feminist and queer readings of art.

    5) I am from California and plan to return at some point in the future, after working for a while and/or earning a PhD. 

    First, I am wondering what your thoughts are on an MA in Art and Museum Studies versus an MA in Art History for my career goals.

    Second, I am curious about your thoughts on job and PhD prospects. It seems that grads from the Georgetown MA are going into incredible positions right after graduating, working at museums like the MET, the Frick, the Guggenheim, etc. AU grads appear to have good job prospects as well, but it seems like they tend to stay more local to DC. 

    AU's program is incredible for feminist art history, but I am very interested in working with a professor at Georgetown who focuses on queer art history.

    I am curious whether anyone has thoughts or input that might help inform my decision. 

    Thanks so much!



    ------------------------------
    Kathryn Schlenker
    Program Developer and Operations Manager
    ------------------------------


  • 2.  RE: MA: Georgetown vs. American University

    Posted 16 days ago

    Hi, Kate - I chose to reply privately so that others won't start an argument and you can evaluate all response individually.

    I am a retired museum director/curator with degrees in studio art, theatre, and a master's in Arts Admin.  My suggestion is to go for the Art History program.  It is a scholarly pursuit, rather than managerial.  You can always enroll in workshops and online course for the elements of "museum studies."  A master's in Art History will also better prepare you and identify you as PhD studies "material."  At this stage in your life, accumulate as much scholarly background as you can, later, when you are employed and if you are still interested in running things rather than studying them, sign up for specific courses or workshops that you find you need.  Good Luck!  Vivian

     



    ------------------------------
    Vivian Zoe PhD
    Executive Director, retired
    Gales Ferry CT
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


Related Content