The Master of Museum Studies (MMSt) program prepares graduates to become reflective, research-informed museum professionals who understand and advance the civic, social, and cultural roles of museums. Through interdisciplinary study, experiential learning, and community engagement, the program connects theory with practice and equips students to engage critically and creatively with diverse perspectives, global challenges, and emerging technologies. Graduates are prepared to foster dynamic and equitable collaborative approaches and to contribute meaningfully to museums and cultural institutions locally, nationally, and internationally.
The Faculty of Information also offers a combined degree program whereby students may complete both a Master of Information and Master of Museum Studies.
The course of study is a full-time comprehensive program with a series of required courses that offer broad, critical understanding of museum histories, contemporary issues, and major shifts in practices and policies. The scope of these required courses touches upon the major professional areas of museums (e.g., collections, curation, interpretation, engagement, etc.) Students are also encouraged to pursue special areas of interest through elective courses and work towards one of four culminating options.
The coursework option is ideal for students who wish to pursue a range of academic and professional interests in museum studies, demonstrating learning through varied course-based outcomes. It is well suited to established and working museum professionals and offers scheduling flexibility.
The capstone option is ideal for students who wish to gain work experience in the sector and who are comfortable working collaboratively in community settings. It offers an opportunity for mentorship from museum professionals and a chance to practice a range of professional competencies, from project planning and budgeting to museum-specific competencies like exhibition development.
The project option is ideal for students who wish to pursue a unique and well-defined independent professional project in a studio setting (e.g., pursue a special combination of interests or develop a museum project for their own community).
The thesis option allows students to develop, execute, and write about a research project from beginning to end. Students gain familiarity with the research process and hone their research skills. Faculty approval is required to enter the thesis option. The thesis option is designed for students who wish to pursue a research-intensive career path, have a clearly defined topic, can find a supervisor, and can meet tight deadlines in order to graduate within the usual timeframe envisioned for the degree.
MMSt Program (Coursework Option)
Minimum Admission Requirements
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Applicants are admitted under the General Regulations of the School of Graduate Studies. Application deadlines are available on the Master of Museum Studies web page. Applicants must also satisfy the Faculty's additional admission requirements stated below. Meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee admission.
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An appropriate bachelor's degree with an overall grade of at least a B+ average (grade point average 3.3) from a recognized university.
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A supplemental application is required for admission. Demonstrated previous experience in museums or related cultural organizations will also be considered. Admission to this program is competitive.
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All incoming graduate students must have a good command of English. All applicants educated outside Canada whose primary language is not English must demonstrate proficiency in the English language. This requirement is a condition of admission and must be met before an offer of admission is made. The English language requirement may be satisfied using one of the following tests:
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Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) with the following minimum scores: 5.5/6.0 overall with 4.5/6.0 in speaking and 5.5/6.0 in writing.
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International English Language Testing System (IELTS): a minimum required score of 7.5 overall with 7.5 on the writing section and 7.0 on the speaking section.
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Certificate of Proficiency in English (COPE): a minimum required score of 95 overall with 41 on the writing component, 27 on the reading component, and 27 on the listening component.
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English Language Program, U of T School of Continuing Studies with an overall score of A in Academic English Level 60.
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Completion Requirements
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Students must meet all School of Graduate Studies requirements. Students study full-time, taking required courses in each given session. An FZ (fail) in any one course, or a final grade of B– in any three courses, usually results in a recommendation to the School of Graduate Studies to terminate the student's registration in the degree program.
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Students must successfully complete a total of 7.5 full-course equivalents (FCEs) including:
Program Length: 4 sessions full-time (typical registration sequence: FW-FW)
Time Limit: 3 years full-time
MMSt Program (Capstone Option)
Minimum Admission Requirements
-
Applicants are admitted under the General Regulations of the School of Graduate Studies. Application deadlines are available on the Master of Museum Studies web page. Applicants must also satisfy the Faculty's additional admission requirements stated below. Meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee admission.
-
An appropriate bachelor's degree with an overall grade of at least a B+ average (grade point average 3.3) from a recognized university.
-
A supplemental application is required for admission. Demonstrated previous experience in museums or related cultural organizations will be considered.
-
All incoming graduate students must have a good command of English. All applicants educated outside Canada whose primary language is not English must demonstrate proficiency in the English language. This requirement is a condition of admission and must be met before an offer of admission is made. The English language requirement may be satisfied using one of the following tests:
-
Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) with the following minimum scores: 5.5/6.0 overall with 4.5/6.0 in speaking and 5.5/6.0 in writing.
-
International English Language Testing System (IELTS): a minimum required score of 7.5 overall with 7.5 on the writing section and 7.0 on the speaking section.
-
Certificate of Proficiency in English (COPE): a minimum required score of 95 overall with 41 on the writing component, 27 on the reading component, and 27 on the listening component.
-
English Language Program, U of T School of Continuing Studies with an overall score of A in Academic English Level 60.
-
Completion Requirements
-
Students must meet all School of Graduate Studies requirements. Students study full-time, taking required courses in each given session. An FZ (fail) in any one course, or a final grade of B– in any three courses, usually results in a recommendation to the School of Graduate Studies to terminate the student's registration in the degree program.
-
Students must successfully complete a total of 7.5 full-course equivalents (FCEs) as follows:
Program Length: 4 sessions full-time (typical registration sequence: FW-FW)
Time Limit: 3 years full-time
MMSt Program (Project Option)
Minimum Admission Requirements
-
Applicants are admitted under the General Regulations of the School of Graduate Studies. Application deadlines are available on the Master of Museum Studies web page. Applicants must also satisfy the Faculty's additional admission requirements stated below. Meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee admission.
-
An appropriate bachelor's degree with an overall grade of at least a B+ average (grade point average 3.3) from a recognized university.
-
A supplemental application is required for admission. Demonstrated previous experience in museums or related cultural organizations will be considered.
-
All incoming graduate students must have a good command of English. All applicants educated outside Canada whose primary language is not English must demonstrate proficiency in the English language. This requirement is a condition of admission and must be met before an offer of admission is made. The English language requirement may be satisfied using one of the following tests:
-
Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) with the following minimum scores: 5.5/6.0 overall with 4.5/6.0 in speaking and 5.5/6.0 in writing.
-
International English Language Testing System (IELTS): a minimum required score of 7.5 overall with 7.5 on the writing section and 7.0 on the speaking section.
-
Certificate of Proficiency in English (COPE): a minimum required score of 95 overall with 41 on the writing component, 27 on the reading component, and 27 on the listening component.
-
English Language Program, U of T School of Continuing Studies with an overall score of A in Academic English Level 60.
-
Completion Requirements
-
Students must meet all School of Graduate Studies requirements. Students study full-time, taking required courses in each given session. An FZ (fail) in any one course, or a final grade of B– in any three courses, usually results in a recommendation to the School of Graduate Studies to terminate the student's registration in the degree program.
-
Students must successfully complete a total of 7.5 full-course equivalents (FCEs) as follows:
Program Length: 4 sessions full-time (typical registration sequence: FW-FW)
Time Limit: 3 years full-time
MMSt Program (Thesis Option)
Minimum Admission Requirements
-
Applicants are admitted under the General Regulations of the School of Graduate Studies. Application deadlines are available on the Master of Museum Studies web page. Applicants must also satisfy the Faculty's additional admission requirements stated below. Meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee admission.
-
An appropriate bachelor's degree with an overall grade of at least a B+ average (grade point average 3.3) from a recognized university.
-
A supplemental application is required for admission. Demonstrated previous experience in museums or related cultural organizations will be considered.
-
All incoming graduate students must have a good command of English. All applicants educated outside Canada whose primary language is not English must demonstrate proficiency in the English language. This requirement is a condition of admission and must be met before an offer of admission is made. The English language requirement may be satisfied using one of the following tests:
-
Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) with the following minimum scores: 5.5/6.0 overall with 4.5/6.0 in speaking and 5.5/6.0 in writing.
-
International English Language Testing System (IELTS): a minimum required score of 7.5 overall with 7.5 on the writing section and 7.0 on the speaking section.
-
Certificate of Proficiency in English (COPE): a minimum required score of 95 overall with 41 on the writing component, 27 on the reading component, and 27 on the listening component.
-
English Language Program, U of T School of Continuing Studies with an overall score of A in Academic English Level 60.
-
Completion Requirements
-
Students study full time, taking required courses in each given session. An FZ (fail) in any one course, or a final grade of B– in any three courses, usually results in a recommendation to the School of Graduate Studies to terminate the student's registration in the degree program.
-
Students must successfully complete a total of 7.5 full-course equivalents (FCEs) as follows:
Program Length: 4 sessions full-time (typical registration sequence: FW-FW)
Time Limit: 3 years full-time