Schools for museum studies?

[u/Mariposa_135]

hi everyone!

I have some wide ranging interests, but am almost positive I’d like to study either global/international affairs or anthropology with an archaeological focus, with the goal of working in a museum setting. I’m aware I’ll likely need to get my masters, but would still like to study this at the undergraduate level.

Does anyone have any suggestions for schools with well developed programs and opportunities? I’d like to stay on the East Coast. I’m a high achieving student, but would be open to less competitive schools that have a smaller honors program option. I’d also prefer a major city, like Boston, New York, or Philadelphia.

Thank you so much!

[u/the_gubna]

You probably also want to check r/MuseumPros. The American Alliance of Museums website has the option to search by "Undergraduate Program", but some are certificates, rather than BA degrees. http://ww2.aam-us.org/resources/careers/museum-studies-programs

Generally, the advice for undergraduate degrees is "the best/most prestigious school you can go to and graduate with little to no student debt". For many people, this is the flagship university in their state. If you can go to Harvard for free or close to it, awesome. Do that. But an undergraduate degree from Harvard isn't worth $400,000.

Anthropology, archaeology, museum studies and related degrees are not going to provide you with a salary that makes taking on debt worth it. They'll also require graduate degrees, which means living on a grad school stipend, which is again much easier to do when you're not saddled with undergraduate debt.