College of Human Development, Culture, and Media
Seton Hall’s Master of Arts in Museum Professions is a 39-credit, on-campus graduate program designed to prepare students for careers in museums and cultural institutions.
Located near New York City, the program blends academic rigor with hands-on experience in exhibition design, education, collections management, and museum leadership. Students gain foundational training aligned with professional standards from the American Alliance of Museums and the International Council of Museums.
Through a curriculum grounded in ethics, diversity, and advocacy, students build the skills needed to engage communities, steward cultural heritage, and lead in today’s evolving museum landscape. The program also includes a required 200-hour internship for credit, with opportunities to gain additional volunteer or internship experience before or after. This immersive, real-world learning model helps students graduate career-ready.
Accreditation & Awards
"Seton Hall's M.A. in Museum Professions program is designed to transform your passion for museums into a skillset that will accelerate your career. "
Admissions Requirements
The College of Human Development, Culture, and Media wants students to excel at every level, including navigating through the application process. Applicants can find tips and pointers on how to write an exceptional personal statement here.
To be considered for admission, applicants are required to submit the following materials:
- Electronic application and application fee
- Resume/Curriculum vitae
- Personal statement (up to 550 words, about 2 pages) - please review our tips and suggestions
- Official transcript(s) from all institutions attended - including pre- and post-baccalaureate coursework
- GRE or Miller Analogies Test (MAT) scores (waivers available for qualified applicants)
- Letters of recommendation (2)
Deadlines
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Deadline to apply
Rolling
International Students Welcome!
Seton Hall welcomes applications from international students for admission into full-time graduate degree programs.
Curriculum Overview
The 39-credit M.A. in Museum Professions program offers a flexible curriculum designed to meet students' career goals.
Coursework includes museum foundations, visitor experience, collections stewardship and exhibition design. All students complete a 200-hour, for-credit internship, with many pursuing additional experience at museums or cultural sites.
Capstone options — such as a thesis, professional portfolio, or internship — allow students to apply knowledge in real-world settings. Courses are designed to build leadership, research and communication skills, and reflect the best practices of 21st-century museums.
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200
Hours of Internship Experience
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39
Credits
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14
Miles from New York City
Experiential Learning
The Museum Professions program blends academic rigor with hands-on experience in design, education, collections and leadership.
Career Opportunities
Graduates of the Museum Professions program are prepared for diverse, rewarding careers in museums, galleries, historic sites, and cultural organizations across the country.
Our alumni have secured positions in institutions such as:
- Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City
- Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum in Nashville
- Field Museum in Chicago
- And many others in major cities and regional communities.
Our students go on to become museum educators, curators, collections managers, exhibition
designers and nonprofit administrators — bringing innovation, ethics and passion to
their work.
With strong faculty mentorship, an engaged alumni network, and proximity to world-class museums in the New York/New Jersey area, Seton Hall provides an ideal launching pad for your career in the museum field.
11%
Growth of Employment for Archivist, Curator, or Museum Workers, 2023-2033 (BLS)
$93,160
Median Yearly Pay for Curators in New York City Metro Area
1:1
Academic & Career Advising
Our alumni work at the best facilities around the world.
Our Faculty and Students
College of Human Development, Culture, and Media’s Annual Graduate Symposium Showcases Scholarly Excellence
Museum Professions Student Gains Hands-On Experience During Internship at Mercer Museum
Beyond the Classroom: Museum Internships Enrich Graduate Students’ Expertise
Scholarships & Financial Aid
Seton Hall University is committed to providing students with the most current information on how to finance your graduate degree. A graduate degree is within your reach – a variety of options can help you finance your degree including scholarships, federal aid, graduate assistantships, and more.
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50%
Amount Scholarships Can Reduce Cost of Degree
Frequently Asked Questions
When are classes held?
For the M.A. in Museum Professions program, classes are typically held once-per-week (ranging from Monday-Thursday) from either 5-7:10 p.m. or 7:20-9:30 p.m. Course schedules are discussed prior to each semester with an academic adviser.
What is the Communication and the Arts Graduate Student Association (CAGSA)?
CAGSA is a student-led organization open to all graduate students in the communication- and arts-related disciplines within the College of Human Development, Culture, and Media. It focuses on social interaction, academic enrichment, and professional networking.
See all Graduate Admissions FAQs
Additional Resources
Faculty
Academic Integrity Policy
Request More Information
Office of Graduate Affairs
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About Seton Hall
One of the country's leading Catholic Universities, Seton Hall University has been developing students in mind, heart and spirit since 1856.
Home to over 10,000 undergraduate and graduate students and offering more than 90 undergraduate programs and over 130 graduate programs, Seton Hall's academic excellence has been singled out for distinction by The Princeton Review, U.S. News & World Report and Bloomberg Businessweek.
Seton Hall's 58-acre campus in the quaint town of South Orange, New Jersey, is only 14 miles from New York City — offering students a wealth of employment, internship, cultural and entertainment opportunities. The University’s nationally recognized School of Law is located in nearby Newark, New Jersey. The Interprofessional Health Sciences (IHS) campus in the owns of Clifton and Nutley, New Jersey, houses the University’s College of Nursing and School of Health and Medical Sciences.
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1856
Founded by James Roosevelt Bayley
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14
Miles from New York City
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90+
Career-Building Graduate Programs
