Museology-MLIS Concurrent Option
Unique to the Information School, the Master of Arts in Museology and Master of Library and Information Science concurrent option provides you an exciting opportunity to efficiently complete the two degrees within a 3-year course of study.
Museums and libraries are aligned, serving as learning resources that offer education, culture and information for people of all ages. They function as community anchors that provide a collective sense of place where everyone can feel respected and included. And they are responsible for preserving, managing and providing access to significant cultural, artistic, historical, natural and scientific collections.
If you elect to pursue the concurrent Master of Arts in Museology and Master of Library and Information Science, plan to be in Seattle for your Museology courses. You may, however, choose to complete the MLIS portion from either the online or residential cohort.
Admissions Requirements
When choosing to apply for the concurrent option, you will need to do the following:
Follow the admissions instructions for the Master of Arts in Museology and the admissions instructions Master of Library and Information Science. You must apply to both programs separately.
Complete both applications separately in the Application for Graduate Study.
For each application, in the Program Selection section, make sure to answer yes to the Concurrent Application question. Type in the program name for the program you did not select in the “Select your program” section.
Select from the drop-down list if you are a current student of the UW, or new applicant.
Select the level of study as “Graduate.”
Complete each application separately. You will then be notified of each program’s decision. To ensure you receive the admissions decision for each program at about the same time, apply in the Priority round for Museology and Round 2 for Library and Information Science.
Curriculum
Students pursuing this concurrent degree option will be awarded both degrees. The concurrent degree option allows you to complete both degrees in 95-98 credits (when not pursued concurrently, the total credits for both degrees would be 120-123).
For course sequencing purposes and culminating experience, MLIS coursework must be pursued first.
Master of Library and Information Science
Core Curriculum (25-28 credits): a. LIS 510 or LIS 547; LIS 520, LIS 530, LIS 570, LIS 580, b. One information technology course (course list maintained by department), c. One social/ethical course (course list maintained by department)
MLIS electives (10 credits)
Master of Art in Museology
Core courses (28 credits): a. MUSEUM 500, MUSEUM 570, MUSEUM 599, MUSEUM 601, b. Thesis Research or Project: MUSEUM 710/720
MUSEUM electives (12 credits)
Elective coursework
Complete an additional 20 credits from any MLIS or MUSE elective courses of your choice. Work with the academic advisors to discuss your interests and plan these courses once in the program.
Suggested course sequence (required classes in bold)
Library and Information Science (Residential) | Museology | ||
|---|---|---|---|
Year 1 | Autumn | LIS 520 (4) | Museology electives possible but not recommended during year 1. Talk to the Museology advisor. |
Winter | LIS 530 (4) Choice of LIS 547 (4) (winter) or 510 (3) (spring) Choice of electives | ||
Spring | LIS 580 (4) Choice of LIS 510 (3) (spring) or 547 (4) (winter) Choice of electives | ||
Year 2 | Autumn | Choice of electives | MUSEUM 500 (4) |
| Winter | Choice of electives | Choice of electives, including internship (MUSEUM 601) | |
| Spring | Choice of electives | MUSEUM 570 (4)* | |
Summer: optional internship (MUSEUM 601) | |||
Year 3 | Autumn | Choice of electives | MUSEUM 710/720 (3)* |
| Winter | Choice of electives * | MUSEUM 710/720 (4)* | |
| Spring | Choice of electives * | MUSEUM 710/720 (3)* | |
* Concurrent MLIS/MUSE students pursue culminating experience (thesis) through MUSE 570, 710/720
Tuition and Fees
Year 1 tuition is charged at the MLIS per credit rate.
Year 2 and year 3 tuition is charged at the Museology rate.
Estimated total concurrent MLIS and Museology tuition costs based upon 2026-2027 academic year rates, $80,631.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I start one of these programs and then apply to the other?
Students can start in the MLIS program and apply to the Museology program during their first year. Because the Museology program follows a cohort model, it is not possible to apply to the concurrent option once a student has already begun the Museology degree. If you are a current Museology student with potential interest in also completing an MLIS degree, please schedule a meeting with your academic advisor to talk through your goals and potential options. See the curriculum outlined above.
Are there any scholarships or financial aid available?
Yes, there are multiple options for funding. Scholarships may be awarded with your MLIS admission, or you may apply for continuing student scholarships once in the program. The Museology program provides funding through the Paid Internship program.
Additionally, refer to the MLIS Scholarships section of our website for ideas on other outside funding.
Don’t forget to fill out a FAFSA for any federal loan funds.
I’m trying to decide between online and residential for MLIS – what should I know?
The MLIS coursework may be pursued through the online or residential option; regardless of the course instruction mode, the quality is the same. If pursuing the MLIS online, you would be able to live outside of the Seattle area in your first year. You will need to be in the Seattle area once you start with the Museology courses, as all courses are in person. However, all online MLIS students will continue to take their MLIS courses in the online mode once starting the Museology coursework. Attending on the Seattle campus can help facilitate cohort building.