Saint Joseph’s University and the Barnes Foundation Launch Online Museum Education Graduate Program, Marking First-Of-Its-Kind Collaboration in Philadelphia

PHILADELPHIA, AUGUST 5, 2024 — Today, Saint Joseph’s University and the Barnes Foundation announced a new online graduate program designed to prepare future museum educators for roles in public and private institutions. Beginning in fall 2024, the museum education graduate program will offer a Master of Arts in Museum Education and a Museum Education Certificate. 

Building on the educational affiliation between the Barnes and Saint Joseph’s University, which began in 2018 to further the common missions of both institutions, this new, comprehensive graduate program teaches students how to share knowledge with the public in an engaging and inclusive way, from K-12 school groups to museum visitors. Participants will learn strategies for teaching about objects and collections and develop skills applicable to any type of museum, including art and natural history museums, science institutes and historical sites. 

“The uniqueness of our new museum education program lies in the strength of the partnership between the Barnes and SJU,” says Joshua Power, BS ’05, EdD ’16, dean of the School of Education and Human Development at Saint Joseph’s University. “This program was co-created by these two great institutions to provide a one-of-a-kind educational experience tailored specifically to the museum industry and advancing your museum career.” 

Offered entirely online, the museum education program was designed for students from around the world, with assignments and projects that encourage participants to engage with their local museums. Students will explore various topics, including the history of museum education; pedagogical strategies for gallery-based teaching; and museum management. Each course will be taught by esteemed faculty who bring a wealth of practical experience.

“This innovative endeavor with Saint Joseph’s University is at the heart of our mission to make art accessible and relatable through education,” says Martha Lucy, Deputy Director for Research, Interpretation, and Education at the Barnes Foundation. “The Barnes has been focused on learning since our founding in 1922, so this really is in our DNA — and we are excited to help shape the next generation of museum educators.”

In addition to learning from expert faculty, students enrolled in the program will use the Barnes’ state-of-the-art Visual Experience Platform (VXP), designed specifically for the study of visual material. This innovative online learning tool allows students to zoom in on artworks in astonishing detail while engaging in dialogue with their peers and educators, creating a highly interactive environment conducive to learning. 

Local students enrolled in the program will have access to the many vibrant cultural offerings of Philadelphia as well as internship opportunities at the Barnes and Saint Joseph’s University’s Frances M. Maguire Art Museum, which is housed in the original Barnes gallery building. Internships require 35 hours of fieldwork and a biweekly seminar component. 

Credits earned from the certificate program in museum education can be applied toward the Master of Arts in Museum Education at Saint Joseph’s University. Students who complete the certificate program with a GPA of 3.0 or higher can take six additional courses to earn the MA. 

To learn more about Saint Joseph’s University’s master’s program for museum education, visit https://www.sju.edu/degree-programs/museum-education-ma.