We believe in the power of evidence-based practice. That is why we created the Specialization in Museum Evaluation. For the past 10 years, our students have been tasked with different scenarios and problems that have been raised in our museum community, and they have had a hand in providing insight into these problems. From Introduction to Museum Evaluation, all the way to the end of the Specialization, students are working in real world scenario problems. Through our Specialization, students gain a wide range of skills that prepare them to incorporate museum evaluation into their museum practice, as well as develop skills that are transferable to a range of positions within and outside of museums.
Read out the student experience
The Specialization in Museum Evaluation begins in the student’s first year of study and requires them to complete five consecutive courses, as follows:
MUSEUM 574 Introduction to Museum Evaluation (3 cr)
Provides an introduction to the field of evaluation as it relates to museum practice. Introduces basic types, ethics, and practices of evaluation and practices them through readings, reflective fieldwork, mentorships, and discussions. Offered Winter 2021, Angie Ong
MUSEUM 575 Evaluation Data Analysis & Interpretation (3 cr)
Designed in collaboration with local museum evaluators and built around a central evaluation study, this course extends student experiences and develops skills in data collection, data management, data analysis and interpretation.Offered Spring 2021, Angie Ong
MUSEUM 576 Evaluation Specialization: Project Design (3 cr)
First course in a yearlong, student-led evaluation project. Builds on previously acquired skills and further develops competencies in project management, outcome development, evaluation planning, and instrumentation design. Students work with museum partners to develop the framework for an evaluation study and present a final evaluation plan implemented in the following quarter. Prerequisite: MUSEUM 574 and MUSEUM 577. Offered Fall 2020, Angie Ong
MUSEUM 577 Evaluation Specialization: Data Collection (3 cr)
Second course in a yearlong, student-led evaluation project. Students implement the evaluation plan presented in the previous quarter. Students focus efforts on refining their project’s instruments, developing research protocols, and collecting and managing project data. Prerequisite: MUSEUM 576. Offered Winter 2021, Angie Ong.
MUSEUM 578 Evaluation Specialization: Analysis & Dissemination (3 cr)
Culmination of yearlong, student-led evaluation project. Students conduct quantitative and qualitative data analysis, interpret findings, and prepare final project deliverables for museum partners. Dissemination of final project includes a formal presentation and evaluation report. Additionally, students submit a concluding peer-evaluation and reflection of project experience. Prerequisite: MUSEUM 577. Offered Spring 2021, Angie Ong.
Courses are progressive and interconnected—building student proficiency and comfort with evaluation over two quarters in preparation for them to independently design and manage a yearlong project for a local museum client.
The Specialization in Evaluation culminates in a yearlong evaluation study. These projects represent a range of evaluation studies—from front-end to summative—that assess exhibits, programs, and museum operations. They explore topics such as family learning, visitor expectations/satisfaction, visitor behaviors and experiences, museum resources utilization, and school group engagement.
uwmuse@uw.edu
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