Master of Arts in Museum Studies (Online & On-Campus)

The Master of Arts in Museum Studies is the only program of its kind in the State of Louisiana.

The program can be completed entirely online or on campus. Students matriculating in the program will undertake a rigorous course of learning in Museology, the branch of knowledge dedicated to the study of the theories, procedures, and managerial concepts of museums: institutions for the acquisition, preservation, study, and exhibition of works of artistic, historical or scientific value.

Practical application of course work is achieved through internships with local, regional, and national museums, which serve as extended classrooms. Students will examine options for employment, which will prepare graduates of the program to pursue careers in a variety of local, regional, and national museums, campus museums, private galleries, and historical associations.

Mission

Realizing the need to develop more equitable, diverse, and inclusive cultural institutions, the mission of the Master of Arts in Museum Studies Program is to educate and train a diverse student population to be professionals and leaders in the museum and arts sectors. Through a balanced approach between theory and practice, students gain in-depth knowledge about several aspects of the African Diaspora and museum work, including collections management, exhibition design, museum education, audience engagement, digital strategies, and community involvement.

Vision

As the only program of its kind in the state of Louisiana, the Master of Arts in Museum Studies Program positions itself as a major regional and national hub for intellectual discussions in the museum studies discipline, particularly around issues related to diversity, inclusion, and social justice in museums.

Core Values

• Raising the consciousness of the importance and necessity of culture and tolerance in our lives;
• Intellectual honesty, integrity, and ethical conduct;
• Professionalism in museum work;
• Critical thinking and theoretical discourse;
• Program quality and excellence;
• Innovation and leadership;
• Diversity and inclusion
• A balance of theory and practice; and,
• In-depth, hands-on, Practicum experiences

Southern University at New Orleans (SUNO) was founded as a branch unit of Southern University and Agricultural & Mechanical College in Baton Rouge (SUBR) on September 4, 1956.

On September 21, 1959, SUNO opened its doors on a 17-acre site located in historic Pontchartrain Park, a subdivision of primarily African American single-family residents in eastern New Orleans.

Established as an open community of learners, classes began with 158 freshmen, one building, and a motivated faculty of 15. The University offered 10 courses in four academic disciplines: Humanities, Science, Social Science, and Commerce.

Today, SUNO serves as a beacon for those looking for educational advancement in an environment that provides the personal attention students need for success.

Our mission is to be one of America’s premier institutions of higher learning and to graduate students ready to contribute to the city and nation.

Our Mission

Southern University at New Orleans, a public, historically black university, empowers and promotes the upward mobility of diverse populations of traditional and nontraditional students through quality academic programs, teaching, research, and service to achieve excellence in higher education using various teaching and learning modalities.

Our Vision

Southern University at New Orleans is a premier, cutting-edge institution that endeavors to advance the educational standing of students by preparing them to participate in and contribute to a global society and workforce development with the necessary skills, knowledge, and dispositions to improve their life-long learning skills and contributions to society through a TEAM (“Togetherness Empowers All Mechanisms”) approach.

Our Core Values

• Respect We believe and will continue to ensure that all individuals across our campus are respectful of each other in their daily interactions and activities and under all circumstances, and we seek to affirm and reinforce that mutual respect is received.
• Academic Excellence We will ensure that our students are prepared to be effective and productive citizens in the 21st century by offering a challenging and well-rounded curriculum and ensuring learning outcomes.
• Accountability We acknowledge and assume responsibility for our actions and decisions and expect the same from our internal and external stakeholders.
• Integrity We will exhibit integrity through consistency in our values, methods, principles, expectations, and outcomes.
• Transparency As part of our responsibility to our stakeholders, we will ensure that our business and educational practices are open and available for review.
• Service We will continue to provide aid to the local community through service-learning, community service, and faculty engagement to make a positive impact within New Orleans and the state of Louisiana.
• Inclusion and Diversity We will continue to foster inclusions that lead to the diversity of the University community and stakeholders.