The Museum and Field Studies Graduate Program only admits applicants for the fall semester. For domestic applicants the deadline is December 15, 10 pm MST. For international applicants the deadline is December 1, 10 pm MST. All application materials must be received by this deadline.

Applications will be reviewed December through March, and notification should take place by mid-April. Acceptance will be determined by the Admissions Committee of the Museum in consultation with the department pertinent to the student's discipline, if appropriate. For Master's students, the student must be accepted by an advisor in his or her discipline.

Master's Application Requirements

The application consists of the following materials for prospective Master's students:

  • Master's Program Application
  • One (1) Unofficial Transcript from each college or university attended. For review and decision purposes you are required to upload an unofficial copy of your transcript(s) in the online application. We require one copy of the scanned transcript from each undergraduate and graduate institution that you attended. This includes community colleges, summer sessions, and extension programs. While credits from one institution may appear on the transcript of a second institution, unofficial transcripts must be submitted from each institution, regardless of the length of attendance, and whether or not courses were completed. Failure to list and submit transcripts from all institutions previously attended is considered to be a violation of academic ethics and may result in the cancellation of your admission or dismissal from the university. Only after you are recommended for admission will you need to provide official transcripts. Instructions for Uploading Unofficial Transcripts to Your Application.
  • Three (3) Letters of Recommendation must be submitted electronically.
  • Personal Statement: The Personal Statement is your opportunity to provide any additional information that you feel would be valuable to the admissions committee. It is one of the most important parts of the application where you will briefly describe your experience(s) in museums, including prior educational experience in museum studies or a related field, relevant employment and/or volunteer work in museums, and research or other experience in museums (e.g., collections work or research education and programming, docent work, etc.). What are your goals for graduate study in the Museum & Field Studies Program, and what strengths do you have that make you a good fit for the MFS Program?  What are your career goals?   Please limit the statement to three pages.
  • Writing Sample: to include, but not limited to, an essay you wrote for a class, thesis, research paper, grant proposal, condition report, site report, exhibit design document, or work-related professional report.
  • Application Fee: of $60 ($80 for international students) is payable on-line at the time of application.  We will work with applicants who, for reasons of economic hardship, request a waiver of the application fee on a case-by-case basis.
  • GRE Scores: are not required.

Visit the Graduate School for additional information on domestic and international applications.

Professional Certificate Application Requirements

Graduate students already enrolled in other departments are required to submit all items except the application fee.  Because many of these items have also been submitted to the student's primary department, the other department may forward copies of these items to the Museum and Field Studies program at the student's request.

Please note that certificate students should contact mfsinfo@colorado.edu for an application form rather than using the web form.

Send all application and supplemental materials to:

Museum and Field Studies Program
218 UCB
University of Colorado
Boulder, CO 80309-0218

Museum professionals not enrolled in another graduate program at CU are required to submit all parts of the application except the application fee.

Continuing Education may also have application requirements or forms beyond the program requirements for the Professional Certificate; consult with them to determine whether there are additional requirements. Continuing Education can be reached at the following address: 1505 University Avenue, University of Colorado at Boulder, 178 UCB, Boulder, CO 80309-0178; 303-492-5148.

Where to Send Your Materials:

All Museum & Field Studies MS Program applications are submitted online. For more information, please visit the Graduate School's admission requirements and online application.

Domestic Applicants:

If you receive an offer of admission and confirm your intent to enroll, you will be required to submit your official transcript(s) to Graduate Admissions. Official transcripts must match the unofficial ones that were submitted with your application. Electronic transcripts are accepted as long as they are sent directly from the issuing institution. Electronic transcripts should be sent to gradprocessing@colorado.edu. Copies of transcripts mailed in unsealed envelopes and sent directly by applicants are NOT official transcripts. 

Send official transcripts and other supporting materials required by Museum & Field Studies to:

For standard mail within the US (including USPS Priority and Express):

Graduate Admissions
University of Colorado Boulder
3100 Marine Street Suite A122
Boulder, CO 80309-0553

For overnight/express mailing:

Graduate Admissions
University of Colorado Boulder
3100 Marine Street - 533 UCB
Bldg RL3 Suite A122
Boulder, CO 80303-1058

International Applicants:

If you receive an offer of admission and confirm your intent to enroll, you will be required to submit your official transcript(s) to Graduate Admissions. Official transcripts must match the unofficial ones that were submitted with your application. Electronic transcripts are accepted as long as they are sent directly from the issuing institution. Electronic transcripts should be sent to intlgrad@colorado.edu.

Transcripts from U.S. schools must be official and must be sent to the Admissions Office directly from the U.S.School.

Send application materials to:

For standard international mail or mail within the US, including USPS Priority and Express:

Office of Admissions/International
University of Colorado Boulder
3100 Marine St Suite A122 65 UCB
Boulder, CO 80309-0065

USA Overnight/Express Mailing Address (DHL, UPS, Fedex):

Office of Admissions/International
University of Colorado Boulder
3100 Marine Street - 65 UCB Bldg RL3 Suite A122
Boulder, CO 80303-1058 USA