Apply Online Now for Fall 2013
The Master of Museum Studies Program starts every fall (late August). There will be two rounds of application review for fall admission.
- February 1 is the deadline for consideration in Round 1 of application review. Decisions will be released by April 1 for this round.
- April 1 is the deadline for consideration in Round 2 of application review. Decisions released within 4-6 weeks after the deadline.
Applications received after April 1 may be reviewed on a space available basis.
Apply online and submit all required application items listed below. We will contact you if additional documents are required. Only completed applications will be reviewed for admission. It is best to apply as early as possible.
- Application– Application and application fee of $55.
- Transcript– Transcript from each university or college (university-level institution) attended.
- Two Letters of Recommendation– Recommendation letters are submitted by individuals who can attest to the applicant's ability and competence to succeed in the studies, research and writing required by this graduate program.
- Statement of Purpose– Please respond to the following questions in a 500-word personal statement: "What do you believe is the role of museums in an increasingly global and technological society? Why? With your background, experiences, and interests, how do you wish to contribute to the museum field?"
- Resume – Submit a current resume with relevant work experience.
- International students are required to submit their official TOEFL or IELTS score and a copy of their passport. If an F-1 visa is sought by the applicant, then a completed Certification of Finance form with supplemental official bank statements or bank letter (see International Students) must be submitted before the application can be considered for admission. Applicants seeking an F-1 visa need to provide a non-U.S. mailing address in their application, in addition to any other address provided.
The GRE (Graduate Record Exam) is not required for this graduate program.
An official TOEFL, IELTS or PTE score is required of international applicants. A minimum TOEFL score of 90 (iBT) or 575 (PBT) is required, 6.5 for the IELTS exam, and 61 for the PTE exam. After review of an application, coursework in USF's Intensive English Program may be recommended or required. The GRE/TOEFL school code for USF is 6996 (select "Univ San Francisco Arts Sci Grad").
Start your application online and complete all required sections, including uploading required unofficial documents. All application items (for example, resume, official transcripts, English language test scores, and recommender information) must be uploaded before you submit your application. Once you submit, your application will be incomplete until your recommenders submit their online letter of recommendation. Check your online application frequently to monitor the status of your application.
Admission decisions will be posted on the application status page. Please contact the Museum Studies Program office directly with questions about an admission decision after your application is complete.
When an application and all required documents are on file in the Office of Graduate Programs in the College of Arts and Sciences (see address above), the application is complete and will be forwarded to the Museum Studies Program for admission review. Applicants are notified of their admission status approximately four to six weeks after an application and all application items are processed and complete. Applicants can check their admission status online.
All students who are admitted to the graduate program are required to submit a tuition deposit to reserve a space in the program after notification of admission is received. The tuition deposit deadline is included in the student's letter of admission. The tuition deposit must be received on, or before, that date or the admitted student is not guaranteed a place in the graduate program. An applicant's admission will be canceled after the due date for the tuition deposit so that another qualified student may be offered that student position.
If you are a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, you can begin the free application process for a U.S. federal student loan at www.fafsa.ed.gov. The USF federal school code for the FAFSA is 001325. All U.S. citizens and permanent residents are eligible for $20,500 in U.S. federal student loans in each year of graduate studies, unless if a student has defaulted on a previous student loan. There is no application deadline for these loans, although students are encouraged to submit a FAFSA as soon as possible since the loan process can take eight weeks to complete.
For any financial assistance offered by the Master of Public Affairs Program, all applicants (US domestic and international) will be considered and notified of such an award in the admission letter. There is no separate application for this assistance. International students, and U.S. students, can contact the One Stop/Financial Aid Office for other student loan programs available to graduate students.
Admitted students should contact the Master of Museum Studies Program for details about the advising and registration schedule in late August for new students each fall. The department can be contacted at 415.422.6656 or museum@usfca.edu.
International students are highly recommended to arrive at USF at least 10 days before the first day of classes in the fall in order to finalize housing arrangements and attend the International Student Orientation. Contact the Office of International Student and Scholar Services for details and dates about the International Student Orientation at isss@usfca.edu.
International students should note that the earliest arrival in the United States that an F-1 visa allows is 30 days before the start date on the I-20 form issued to you.
International Student Orientation
New international students are REQUIRED to attend the International Student Orientation in fall (late August). Please visit www.usfca.edu/isss for the latest details or contact ISSS at isss@usfca.edu. International students are highly recommended to arrive at USF at least 10 days before the first day of classes in the fall and spring to finalize housing arrangements and attend International Student Orientation.
