Museum Studies

My thesis was a living history interpretation of an historic property within the boundaries of the Minute Man National Historical Park in Concord, Mass. I now work for them full time, and have not only been asked to continue developing programs for the site featured in my thesis, but I am now part of the educational and public programs team—developing and executing programs, old and new.

— Judith Broggi, ALM ’07

Master’s Thesis

The thesis is a requirement that builds upon the knowledge acquired through the coursework and, in some cases, the practical experience gained in the internship. The thesis is supervised by a Harvard faculty member or senior-level museum professional who has been approved by the museum studies advisory board.

Getting started on your thesis

Once you have completed a minimum of 6 degree courses, you may register for the master’s thesis.

  1. Consult the research advisor about your thesis proposal. Typically it takes 6 months and several drafts to develop an acceptable proposal. If you cannot produce an acceptable proposal within 9 months of your first proposal submission, you may be required to withdraw from the program.
  2. Secure a thesis director with the help of the research advisor.
  3. Submit a formal thesis proposal and secure approval.
  4. Register after receiving a letter of authorization from the Dean of Continuing Education. (The cost is $1,950.)

Students are expected to make steady, monthly progress on their thesis and complete all work within 9 months. Failure to do so may result in a grade of TNC (Thesis Not Complete) for the course, which can count as a zero toward your cumulative grade point average.

You can register for the thesis throughout the year. To receive credit for the thesis in the fall term, register by November 29; to receive credit in the spring term, register by April 25. If you register after the April deadline, you will be registered in the summer term and may pay a higher tuition.

Searchable thesis database

Students have access to the extensive thesis collection at Grossman Library. They may search an online database of theses and proposals and view the material at the library. For more information, call the library at (617) 495-4163.