Application Materials

Write a personal statement that answers the following 3 questions:

1. Why do you want to pursue a graduate degree in museum studies?
2. Why do you want to attend the Master of Arts in Museology program specifically?
3. We are looking for graduate students who show up with a growth mindset and approach learning with curiosity. How will you show up as a learner? (Please be as specific as possible.)

Your personal statement should be no longer than 1,000 words. The personal statement should be double-spaced, and each page should be numbered and clearly identified with your full name.

Be sure to address all three questions. While individual writing style will vary, we encourage applicants to approach this as one body of writing rather than addressing each question separately.

Diversity is a core value and foundational concept in the Information School (of which Museology is a part). Museology seeks to create a community of students that is inclusive of underrepresented populations and in service to underserved communities. How would you contribute to these efforts? (You may want to consider the iSchool diversity statement when writing your response.) Please respond in 250 words or less.

Museology requires two recommendations, but recommends you submit three. We require at least one academic letter of recommendation from faculty members from your previous undergraduate or graduate degrees and recommend two such letters. Professional letters of recommendation should be from a supervisor, manager, or mentor from your previous professional experience relevant to your interests in the museum field (for more tips, see our application tips page).

On the Online Graduate School Application, you will be asked to provide names and contact information for two to three persons from whom you have requested recommendations. Your recommenders will be sent an e-mail prompt with instructions for submitting their letter of recommendation online.

Please email your recommenders the following prompt:

The University of Washington Museology Program is a two-year interdisciplinary graduate program that seeks to inspire students to use museums to create strong communities. Applicants to the program are rated across the following three dimensions:

Academic Potential: The applicant displays an exceptional academic track record, and has demonstrated analytical thinking, quality writing, and a passion for a relevant aspect of the museum field.

Professional Experience: Applicant has considerable, relevant experience related to the applicant’s stated area of interest

Contribution to the Program: Applicant’s interests, academic background, and life experiences make a significant contribution to the overall cohort and/or the museum field. The applicant also supports the creation of an inclusive environment in Museology program.

Academic Recommenders: Please comment on the applicant’s previous academic work, and how they would do in a rigorous interdisciplinary graduate program grounded in research. Please provide concrete examples and detailed feedback about what the applicant has accomplished academically.

Professional Recommenders: Please comment on the applicant’s previous professional work related to their area(s) of interest in the museum field. Please provide concrete examples of dedication, leadership, innovation, and/or creativity in their work.

*A Note about Question 2 in the recommendation form (“In making this evaluation, what group are you using as a basis for comparison?”): It is intended to provide context to your relationship with the applicant. For instance, are they one of 1000 undergraduate students who you’ve taught over the past 10 years or are they one of 10 employees you supervise on a daily basis?

You will be able to see when the letters have been submitted on your application status page. Please contact us if any of your recommenders have trouble submitting their letters using the online form.

You are advised to request recommendations well in advance of the application deadline to ensure your application packet is complete when submitted. For more tips on designating recommendations, see our Application Tips page.

Upload an electronic copy of your curriculum vitae or résumé, in Microsoft Word, RTF, or PDF format. PDF format is preferred. Your curriculum vitae or résumé should include the following information:

• Work experience related to the museum field (include employer, position title, and dates of employment)
• Other types of employment experience (include employer, position title, and dates of employment)
• Involvement with volunteer, community, and/or diversity-related activities (include organization, position title, and dates of service)
• Relevant honors, awards, publications, and presentations

Please create a PDF of your transcript for upload to the Online Graduate School Application. You can accomplish this by scanning your original transcript or by printing an unofficial electronic transcript to PDF.

If there are extenuating circumstances, not addressed in other sections of your application, related to your academic transcript, CV, or other facets of your application that you would like the admissions committee to consider, please describe them.

Your response should be no longer than 250 words, double-spaced and clearly identified with your full name.

International applicants: please review the Graduate School’s International Applicants page for additional materials required as part of your application. For applicants needing to demonstrate English Language Proficiency, Museology requires the following scores: TOEFLiBT – 100, Duolingo – 125, IELTS – 7.0.