Museums and Digital Culture, MS
The Master of Science in Museums and Digital Culture (MDC) is an innovative program that focuses on the ways in which museums use digital technology and media to enhance services and engage with visitors across physical and virtual contexts. We prepare graduates with the knowledge and skills necessary for careers in this rapidly changing field as well as prepare them with the ability to engage with today’s diverse and connected global audiences.
The program features partnerships and fellowships with New York City’s leading museums. The program’s faculty includes practicing museum professionals from across NYC’s museums and an innovative full-time faculty. Through structured practicums and field research, students develop into innovative and creative leaders in the museum field.
The curriculum builds on commonalities of knowledge and skills across GLAMs (galleries, libraries, archives, and museums) while addressing emerging areas of the museum field such as digital information behavior, digital seeing and aesthetics, digital curation, and the integration of physical and digital elements of the museum.
Course and Credit Requirements
The MDC program consists of 36 credits (12 three-credit courses), all of which must be completed with a B average or higher. The program is designed to be completed in two years (3 courses per semester) or three years (2 courses per semester). Summer courses may reduce the length of time spent in the program. Please note that international students must be enrolled full-time (3 courses, 9 credits per semester). Courses are held at 11:30 AM, 3:00 PM, and 6:30 PM.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | ||
| Foundation | ||
| INFO-601 | Foundations of Information | 3 |
| MDC Core | ||
| INFO-679 | Museums and Digital Culture:Theory and Practice | 3 |
| INFO-654 | Information Technologies 1 | 3 |
| INFO-683 | Museum Digital Strategy: Planning and Management | 3 |
| INFO-685 | Digital Analytics: Web, Mobile and Social Media | 3 |
| INFO-684 | Museum Information Management: Collection Cataloging & Digital Technology | 3 |
| Electives | ||
| Select six Elective courses | 18 | |
| Total Credits | 36 | |
| 1 | The INFO-654 Information Technologies requirement may be waived for students with sufficient technical knowledge and/or experience; for more information, please visit the Information Technologies course waiver web page. |
Elective Courses (6 Courses, 18 Credits)
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Museum Information Management | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Digital Preservation & Curation | ||
| Management and Leadership | ||
| Art Documentation | ||
| Linked Open Data for Libraries Archives and Museums | ||
| Visual Resources Management | ||
| Digital Asset & Media Management | ||
| Conservation and Preservation | ||
| Metadata Design | ||
| Projects in Digital Archives | ||
| Information Policies & Politics | ||
| Content Strategy | ||
| Practicum/Seminar Information Science | ||
| Digital Tools and Technologies | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Digital Accessibility | ||
| Programming Interactive Visualizations | ||
| Programming User Interfaces | ||
| Programming For Cultural Heritage | ||
| Web Development | ||
| Database Design and Development | ||
| Visual Communication & Information Design | ||
| Mobile Interaction Design | ||
| Information Visualization | ||
| Digital Humanities | ||
| Machine Learning | ||
| Practicum/Seminar Information Science | ||
| Audience Experience and Community Engagement | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Audience Research & Evaluation | ||
| Human Information Interaction | ||
| Human-Centered Research Design & Methods | ||
| Conversational User Experience Design | ||
| Advanced Usability and UX Evaluation | ||
| Emotional Design | ||
| Sustainable Interaction Design | ||
| Community Building & Engagement | ||
| Museum and Library Outreach | ||
| Information Architecture & Interaction Design | ||
| Usability Theory & Practice | ||
| Practical Ethnography for User Experience | ||
| Open Electives | ||
| Select three Open Electives with department approval 1 | 9 | |
| Total Credits | 18 | |
| 1 | Students can select from a number of options to fulfill the remaining open electives, including any three 3-credit courses from the School of Information or other Pratt school (department approval required). |
Advanced Certificates
Students enrolled in the MDC degree may choose to complete any of the following advanced certificates within the museums and digital culture degree.
If you intend to complete an advanced certificate, once enrolled in the program, please submit the Certificate Declaration form at your earliest convenience. Note that to complete the museum studies certificate, please contact the History of Art and Design Department.
Scholarships
Two-Year Renewable Scholarships for New Students
These scholarships are awarded at the time of admissions and are renewable for the second year for students who maintain a GPA of 3.0 or higher. Students must be full-time (minimum of 9 credits per semester).
Fellowships
The School of Information offers a number of fellowships in partnership with NYC cultural institutions. Each fellowship requires the completion of a 9-month internship (120 hours per semester) and is accompanied by a scholarship in the amount of $7,210. For a complete listing of fellowship opportunities, please visit the School of Information website and go to Experiential Learning Opportunities, Fellowships.
Admission Requirements
Applicants must hold a baccalaureate degree from an accredited university. Applicants must have a superior scholastic record or otherwise give evidence of ability to perform work on the graduate level. Applicants are expected to offer evidence of maturity and leadership potential for the profession. All applicants must apply using the online application. Required documents include:
- Official transcripts of all previous postsecondary education;
- A statement of purpose describing interest in the program and personal goals;
- A current resume/CV; and
- Request two letters of recommendation online from academic or professional sources
A TOEFL of 82 (internet and home test), TOEFL ITP Plus for China of 553, IELTS of 6.5, or a PTE of 53 is required for international students. Students who are not international but whose first language is not English must submit the GRE, TOEFL, IELTS, or PTE. Applicants may choose to apply for nonmatriculated status and take up to 6 credits.
Office
Tel: 212.647.7682
Fax: 212.367.2492
si@pratt.edu
si.pratt.edu
| Semester 1 | Credits | |
|---|---|---|
| INFO-601 | Foundations of Information | 3 |
| INFO-679 | Museums and Digital Culture:Theory and Practice | 3 |
| INFO-654 | Information Technologies | 3 |
| Credits | 9 | |
| Semester 2 | ||
| INFO-683 | Museum Digital Strategy: Planning and Management | 3 |
| INFO-684 | Museum Information Management: Collection Cataloging & Digital Technology | 3 |
| INFO-685 | Digital Analytics: Web, Mobile and Social Media | 3 |
| Credits | 9 | |
| Semester 3 | ||
| Museum Information Management Elective | 3 | |
| Digital Tools and Technologies Elective | 3 | |
| Audience Experience and Community Engagement | 3 | |
| Credits | 9 | |
| Semester 4 | ||
| Open Elective Credits | 9 | |
| Required E-Portfolio Submission | 0 | |
| Credits | 9 | |
| Total Credits | 36 | |
Throughout the MDC program, students will create a digital portfolio to highlight the work they have completed and demonstrate they have met the program’s five student learning outcomes (SLOs):
- Foundations of Museums and Digital Culture - Analyze and articulate the role and function of information and digital technologies in shaping the evolving social role and practice of museums and related cultural heritage institutions.
- Museum Information Management and Technologies - Describe and manage analog and digital information and collections to increase the inclusivity, accessibility, and sustainability of cultural heritage.
- Digital Technology and Tools - Select and effectively employ digital technology to enhance museum and cultural heritage services that inform and engage diverse communities.
- Research - Investigate information environments and audience needs, behaviors, and experiences through appropriate research methods and data analysis.
- Professionalism - Engage with relevant ethical, technical, and practical issues and construct a strong professional identity.