Interested in a Career in Museums?

The Historical Administration Program at Eastern Illinois University has been preparing students to become museum professionals since 1975. Our graduates are employed all over the country, in all sorts of museums and cultural institutions; and they are engaged in just about every aspect of museum work that exists.

The application process for the H.A. program is competitive, and the curriculum, for those who enter the program, is rigorous. Here are a couple of suggestions for strengthening your application, and your preparation to enter the field:

1. Volunteer at a museum (or serve as an intern). Any sort of work will do. We are looking for people who not only love museums, but also understand, at least a little bit, what they are getting into.

2. Ask your museum supervisor to write one of your letters of recommendation for the H.A. program.

3. Join a professional museum organization. They all have student rates, and welcome students into their ranks. Visit the websites of the American Association of Museums, the American Association for State and Local History, a regional museum association (such as the Association of Midwest Museums), or the National Council on Public History for membership information and to get a sense of what is going on in the field. Most states also have statewide museum associations.

4. If you are not a history major (or even if you are), read some history! Ask history professors for their favorites. We do not require an undergraduate degree in history, but we do find that some familiarity with the field is helpful.

5. Take a course in Public History.

6. In order to be considered for a graduate assistantship, you must have at least a 3.0 g.p.a. Remember that those assistantships are granted on a competitive basis, so here is where a solid g.p.a. will really help you.

7. Call or e-mail the Historical Administration Program Coordinator with any questions you have: Dr. Nora Pat Small, npsmall@eiu.edu, (217) 581-6380.

8. Visit the Historical Administration Program website.