Programs

Applicants must meet CSU graduate admission requirements and the following program requirements:

1. GPA: Normally 3.20 or higher in the most recent two years of undergraduate or postbaccalaureate study. Applicants with a GPA of at least 3.00 will also be considered.
2. Experience: At least three months of paid or volunteer experience in a museum or related setting, including qualifying internships.
3. Academic preparation: Coursework or a degree in a relevant field, such as anthropology, art history, classics, design, education, history, science, public or arts administration, communications, environmental studies, fine arts, or the humanities.
4. References: Two letters from professors, museum supervisors, or other professional supervisors who can speak to your skills and readiness for graduate study. Ideally, one reference should be from a museum or related setting.
5. International applicants: TOEFL scores of at least 550 (paper-based) or 80 (internet-based) are required. SF State’s TOEFL code is 4683. View additional requirements for international applicants.

Applicants who do not meet every criterion are still encouraged to apply.

Applications to SFSU Museum Studies are for Fall admission only. The annual deadline is February 15. 

GRE Scores are not required, but can be submitted on an optional basis. 

Review of all on-time and complete applications, with required documents, commences after February 15. Admissions recommendations are sent via email from the Program between March 15 through March 31. Offers of admission must be accepted by April 1 through April 15 to finalize numbers and prepare for fall matriculation.

1. Apply through Cal State Apply

Submit all application materials through Cal State Apply. The application fee is $70. Review SF State’s application guidance before applying.

When completing the application:

• In Academic History, you may opt out of transcript and GPA entry.
• In Supporting Materials, opt out of all supporting materials.
• In Statement of Purpose, enter: “Uploaded to Program Materials Section.”
• In Program Materials, upload your unofficial transcripts, statement of purpose, comparison essay, optional GRE score report, and any additional work samples.
• Complete the questions in the Questions tab.

For technical assistance, contact gradstudies@sfsu.edu.

2. Upload Program Materials

Prepare the following materials:

• Unofficial transcripts from every institution attended
• Current résumé or CV
• Statement of purpose (1,000 words) addressing:
  • Your career objectives
  • Your interest in museum work and SF State’s program
  • Your relevant research, education, coursework, and workshops
  • Your museum, volunteer, or internship experience
• Comparison essay (750 words) comparing current exhibitions at two museums or related institutions. Discuss curatorial content, display techniques, and visitor education, including what worked well and what could be improved. Online exhibitions may be reviewed.
• Two letters of recommendation

Request recommendation letters by January 1 whenever possible. After you submit your application, Cal State Apply will email your recommenders instructions for uploading their confidential letters.

3. Request Official Transcripts

Request official transcripts from every institution attended. They must be sent directly to:

Graduate Admissions
San Francisco State University
1600 Holloway Avenue, ADM 250
San Francisco, CA 94132

Electronic transcripts may be sent to graddocs@sfsu.edu.

Questions

For questions about program materials, contact museumst@sfsu.edu.

Optional GRE Scores

If you take the GRE in February, score reports may be sent directly to the program by March 1. Send electronic reports to graddocs@sfsu.edu. SF State’s GRE code is 4684.