The discipline of museology is sometimes called museum studies by colleges and universities offering courses relating to the theory and practice of running a museum. Museology courses are offered online or at several campuses across the country and around the world. Some offer specialized programs in the techniques of restoration, classification, authentication and preservation. The study of museology focuses on the organization, administration and day-to-day details of institutional management. Museum education is a specialized area of museology studies.
A museum education degree is for those who want to teach about the arts or their area of specialization outside of the public or private school system. A museum setting offers an opportunity to teach children and adults through community outreach programs and continuing education classes. Docents need to be trained and taught. Graduate-level programs are often found in art or art-related departments. Other departments teaching museum education may include education, cultural studies, management, anthropology and history.
Some colleges offer two-year associate's degrees in museum education or issue certificates. A four-year bachelor's degree is a prerequisite to getting an advanced degree in museum education. Earning an undergraduate bachelor's degree in museum studies prepares a student for post-graduate work in museum-related fields. A course load would include classes in studio art, art history, child development and curriculum planning. Exhibit design, museum management and educational techniques are studied along with public relations.
Advanced degrees are offered in the field of museum education. A two-year master's degree or Ph.D. program will focus on specific museum skills in specialized areas. Training is provided to future curators, directors and museum instructors. Internships are usually required in a museum of the student's specialty. Skills are developed for conducting tours, project planning and disseminating information about the collections. Some programs are geared toward a specific type of institution, including children's museums, natural history museums, historical museums, discovery museums and science museums.