BS in Museum Studies, Rochester Institute of Technology

Rochester, New York

48 Months

Check Eligibility

About this course

Museum Studies at RIT offers the only Bachelor of Science degree in Museum Studies in the U.S. It prepares students for careers in museums, archives, libraries, galleries, and other cultural organizations by teaching how collections are built, curated, and interpreted. The curriculum combines a tech-infused, collections-based approach with hands-on experience through internships, ensuring students gain real-world skills. The program emphasizes digital tools, project-based portfolios, and collaboration across campus and the community. Students can explore a wide array of topics, from the history and theory of museums to digital curation, exhibit design, and public history, all while engaging with RIT's extensive collections and exhibit spaces. The program aims to develop professionals who can help institutions digitize, manage, and interpret collections engagingly and inclusively.

Why this course is highly recommended

This is the only B.S. program in Museum Studies in the U.S., and it provides students with access to world-class resources, including RIT's extensive collections and collaborative project spaces. The program's strong industry ties, high employment rates post-graduation, and faculty secured research funds support career success. The curriculum’s focus on digital skills, hands-on internships, and interdisciplinary collaboration make graduates highly competitive in growing fields like museum technology, collection management, and public history.

Specialisation

The program offers specializations in digital cultural heritage, exhibit design, collections management, and public history, among others. Students can also choose electives from topics like art, design, archaeology, ethics in digital technology, and environmental history, tailoring their education to specific interests within museum and cultural studies.

Course fees

Application fees

1st year tuition fees

50.54L

Living cost

Degree requirements

The program requires 120 total semester credit hours, including core courses, electives, internships, and a senior thesis. It encompasses foundational courses in museum history, theory, and practice, along with specialized electives like exhibit design and archival studies. Students undertake at least one internship or co-op experience, and the curriculum includes research methods and a final thesis project in their senior year.

English language test

IELTS

6.5

TOEFL

PTE

DUOLINGO

Career prospects

Graduates are prepared for roles such as assistant curator, collections associate, gallery manager, exhibit project manager, and archivist in museums, galleries, archives, and cultural institutions globally. The field predicts a 12% employment growth in museums and archives and a 6% growth in libraries. With the skills acquired, students can also pursue further graduate studies in library science, archival studies, or related humanities fields.

FAQs

What kind of internships are available for students?

Students are required to complete an internship in a cultural institution, with recent placements at notable sites like the Smithsonian Institution, National Geographic, and local museums such as the George Eastman Museum.

Is the program digital skills-focused?

Yes, the curriculum emphasizes developing expertise in digital tools, digital curation, and online exhibitions, making students competitive in modern museum environments.