Museum Studies Program

The museum studies program at University of Colorado at Boulder prepares students for careers as a curator, marketing manager, conservator or administrative head of conservation, and director of operations in museums around the world. The program focuses on developing, preparing, organizing, administering, conserving, storing and retrieving artifacts, exhibits, and entire collections in museums and galleries. Program courses include: institutional management, acquisitions, exhibit design, conservation, packing techniques, and public relations. Get more details below including other Colorado colleges that offer museum studies program.

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University of Colorado at Boulder

10851 W 120th Ave, Broomfield, CO

The University of Colorado Boulder (UC Boulder or Boulder) is a public research university located in Boulder, Colorado.  UC Boulder is cited as the flagship of the UC schools and was founded in 1876 by the territorial legislature a few short months prior to the state of Colorado was formally recognized as a state in the Union. 

Boulder offers students the choice of over 150 degree programs across the myriad departments from engineering to education with around seventeen thousand enrolled students.  The school is known for their aeronautics programs with significant resources dedicated to this industry.  In fact, the university recently received over $450 million in research funds dedicated to projects like the Joint Institute for Laboratory Astrophysics (JILA) and the Lab for Atmospheric & Space Physics (LASP).

History of UC Boulder

University of Colorado Boulder was founded in 1876 along with Colorado Agricultural College and Colorado School of Mines.  Prior to joining the Union, the Colorado territorial legislature passed a constitutional amendment providing funding for all three higher education institutions.  The doors of UC Boulder opened to students in September of 1877.  During the late 1800’s, there were few high schools in the region that were adequately preparing students for college.   Thus UCB added a preparatory school on campus to help young, aspiring students attend the university.  During this formative year in 1877, the college began with fifteen students and fifty high school students in the preparatory academy. 

Academics

The academic calendar for the University of Colorado Boulder follows the semester format, with fall, spring and summer semesters akin to the other UC schools in the state.  The largest and most popular program is the College of Arts and Sciences with the Engineering and Environmental Design a distant second and third from an enrollment standpoint. 

Popular Colleges and Schools at UC Boulder

• College of Arts & Sciences
• College of Engineering and Applied Sciences
• College of Environmental Design
• College of Education
• College of Music
• School of Law
• Leeds School of Business
• College of Media, Communication and Information
• Graduate School
• Continuing Education and Professional Studies

Student Life

Myriad student organizations and clubs are available at the University of Colorado Boulder for graduate students and undergraduates.  A cross-section of organizations includes service groups, professional groups, political organizations, honor societies, religious groups, social clubs, and many more.  The CU Independent is the student-lead campus with over sixty writers, photographers, illustrators, multimedia specialists, and editors.  Students may also be interested in joining an intermural team in a variety of sports from basketball to tennis.   

UCB School Colors & Mascot

The University of Colorado school colors are black and gold.  The school mascot is a live American Bison named "Ralphie."  A costumed bison named CHIP participates in dance competitions, social events, sports venues, and other athletic programs.

UCB Athletics

The University of Colorado "Buffaloes" compete in the Pacific 12 (Pac-12) Conference with a large number of sanctioned, intercollegiate sports.  These include the following sporting activities:

Men's Sports:

• Basketball
• Cross Country
• Football
• Tennis
• Track and Field
• Golf
• Skiing
• Soccer 

Women's Sports:

• Basketball
• Cross Country
• Swimming and Diving
• Tennis
• Volleyball
• Golf
• Skiing
• Soccer

Community Life

Students living in Boulder can enjoy competing in the Boulder Freeride (ski and snowboarding club), CU Cycling, and SAE racing teams.  The town of Boulder is situated about 25 miles NW of Denver and is about 5,400 feet above sea level.  Boulder proper is just over 100,000 residents with a variety of activities to enjoy.  Popular activities include hiking, biking, local breweries, wineries, and restaurants along the famous Pearl Street Mall. 

Students Enrolled in the Museum Studies Program

Get more details below regarding enrollment, academics, and school demographics. University of Colorado at Boulder offers a master's degree program in museum studies.

Students by Gender (2019)

Students by Race (2019)

Source: IPEDS Survey 2012-2020: Data obtained from the US Dept. of Education's Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS). Data may vary depending on school and academic year.

Career Options for Graduates

Archivists

Description

Appraise, edit, and direct safekeeping of permanent records and historically valuable documents. Participate in research activities based on archival materials.

Career Outlook & Projections ()

According to the BLS, archivists employment is expected to grow at a rate of 6.8% from 2014 to 2024

Salary & Wages

• Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO
  • Total Employment: 40
  • Average Hourly Rate: $28.90
  • Average Annual Salary: $60120

Curators

Description

Administer collections, such as artwork, collectibles, historic items, or scientific specimens of museums or other institutions. May conduct instructional, research, or public service activities of institution.

Career Outlook & Projections ()

According to the BLS, curators employment is expected to grow at a rate of 8.0% from 2014 to 2024

Salary & Wages

• Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO
  • Total Employment: 150
  • Average Hourly Rate: $28.35
  • Average Annual Salary: $58970

Museum Technicians and Conservators

Description

Restore, maintain, or prepare objects in museum collections for storage, research, or exhibit. May work with specimens such as fossils, skeletal parts, or botanicals; or artifacts, textiles, or art. May identify and record objects or install and arrange them in exhibits. Includes book or document conservators.

Career Outlook & Projections ()

According to the BLS, museum technicians and conservators employment is expected to grow at a rate of 5.2% from 2014 to 2024

Salary & Wages

• Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO
  • Total Employment: 190
  • Average Hourly Rate: $20.51
  • Average Annual Salary: $42670

Source: Job descriptions, estimated salary and wages, and projected job growth are taken from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).