FB Pixel Skip to Main Content
Gallery Management

M.A. in Gallery and Museum Management (MGMM) 3+2

Bachelor of Arts, Master of Arts

Degree Type

Accelerated Degree Programs

Department

Master of Art in Gallery and Museum Management (MGMM)

If you aspire to a career in managing, collecting and selling art as well as designing, installing and curating exhibits, you can achieve your goals and expedite your education in Western’s M.A. in Gallery and Museum Management 3+2 program.

Program Overview

Prepare yourself to thrive in the art world.

In the MGMM 3+2 program, you’ll earn your bachelor’s degree in Art or History and M.A. in Gallery and Museum Management (MGMM) in just five years. The program provides advanced-level training in visual arts administration and management, designed for careers in art galleries, museums, auctions, art fairs, curatorship and collections management.

Through the B.A. in Art with an emphasis in Art History & Theory, you’ll build a strong foundation in Western and non-Western art history and in theory, emphasizing the development of solid research, writing and presentation skills. In the B.A. in History with an emphasis in Public History, you’ll be prepared with the historical foundations and communications tools needed to effectively engage the public with the past. Overall, the M.A. in Gallery and Museum Management (MGMM) offers a professional terminal master’s degree focused on preparing students for life in the art world.

A love for art

The MGMM 3+2 program provides advanced-level training in visual arts administration and management, designed for careers in art galleries, museums, auctions, art fairs, curatorship and collections management.

Program Requirements

At Western, course rotations are crafted to encompass a variety of subject fields for a comprehensive education and versatile degree. For required courses and degree plans, visit the official University Catalog. Below is a general overview of courses at Western Colorado University related to this area of study.

The Public History Emphasis requires a minimum of 65 credits, including the required 33 credit History Core, 23 credits of required supporting courses and 6 credits of designated elective courses.

Course List
Code Title Credits
HIST 200Historical Inquiry3
HIST 370Public History3
HIST 371Oral History Workshop3
HIST 372Monuments and Museums3
HIST 373History of the National Parks Service3
HIST 399Internship in History3
HIST 402Engaging the Past3
Select two of the following:6
HIST 101
World History to 1500 (GT-HI1)
HIST 102
World History Since 1500 (GT-HI1)
HIST 126
U.S. History to 1865 (GT-HI1)
HIST 127
U.S. History Since 1865 (GT-HI1)
Select two of the following:6
HIST 330
Colonial America
HIST 333
American Revolution and the Early Republic
HIST 340
Emergence of the Modern U.S.
HIST 343
Depression and World War II
HIST 346
Recent American History
HIST 348
History of the Trans-Mississippi West
HIST 349
History of the Hispanic Southwest
HIST 350
Environmental History of the Borderlands
Total Credits33
Course List
Code Title Credits
Required Supporting Courses
ANTH 107Introduction to General Anthropology (GT-SS3)3
ANTH 219Archaeology (with laboratory)4
ANTH 230Cultural Anthropology (with laboratory)4
COM 231Stagecraft I3
COM 323Media/ Arts Management3
ENVS 100Introduction to Environment and Sustainability (GT-SS2)3
ROE 230Interpretation of Natural and Cultural History3
One of the following:3-4
BIOL 130
Environmental Biology (GT-SC2)
BIOL 150
Biological Principles (with laboratory) (GT-SC1)
BIOL 151
Diversity and Patterns of Life (with laboratory)
GEOL 101
Physical Geology (GT-SC2)
Two of the following:6
ACC 201
Introduction to Financial Accounting
ANTH 344
Native North America
ANTH 467
Ethnography Field School
ART 222
Art History I
ART 223
Art History II
ART 321
American Art: Colonial to Modern
ART 422
Native American Art of North America
BUAD 185
Business Communication
BUAD 210
Legal Environment of Business
BUAD 270
Principles of Marketing
BUAD 275
Innovation + Entrepreneurship: Mindset
BUAD 300
Business Ethics
COM 205
Communication Arts I
COM 305
Communication Arts II
COM 346
Multimedia Communication
CS 120
Professional Computer Skills
CS 160
Introduction to Web Design
GEOG 120
Introduction to Human Geography (GT-SS2)
GEOG 222
Our Digital Earth
POLS 282
Issues in State and Local Government
ROE 235
Foundations of Teaching Environmental Education
Total Credits32-33
Course List
Code Title Credits
Core MGES Courses:
MGMM 600Orientation and Practicum3
MGMM 601Exhibition Principles I3
or MGMM 612 Business Principles I
MGMM 602Exhibition Principles II3
or MGMM 613 Business Principles II
Total Credits9

Upon successful completion of the prescribed courses listed above, University defined General Education, and elective requirements totaling 120 credits (with 40 at the 300-level or higher), students are eligible for their B.A. conferral. Students electing to complete MGMM must follow the balance of their declared emphasis curriculum.

For a full description of the required Graduate coursework, please see the MGMM program in the Western Graduate Catalog

Capstone Course Requirement

The following course in the History Major fulfills the Capstone Course Requirement: HIST 402 ENGAGING THE PAST.

Graduation Requirements

Undergraduate programs require a minimum of 120 semester credits for graduation.  Of those 120 credits, 40 credits must be in upper-division courses (those marked 300 and above).  Fifteen of these 40 upper-division credits must be earned in courses that are part of the standard or comprehensive major program being pursued. 

Students are expected to review all graduation requirements, which can be found in the Western Undergraduate Catalog: Graduation Requirements

Major: B.A. in Public History and M.A. in Gallery and Museum Management (3 + 2)

Plan of Study Grid
Year One
FallCredits
ANTH 107 Introduction to General Anthropology (GT-SS3) (GE 1) 3
ENG 102 Academic Writing (GT-CO1) 3
ENVS 100 Introduction to Environment and Sustainability (GT-SS2) (GE 1) 3
HWTR 100 First Year Seminar 1
MATH 113 Statistical Thinking (GT-MA1) 3
Elective HIST Elective 3
 Credits16
Spring
ANTH 218 Biological Anthropology (with laboratory) (GE 2) 4
COM 202 Academic Writing and Inquiry (GT-CO2) 3
HIST 200 Historical Inquiry 3
Elective HIST Elective 3
 Credits13
Year Two
Fall
ANTH 219 Archaeology (with laboratory) 4
BIOL 130
BIOL 135
or GEOL 101/105
or BIOL 150
Environmental Biology (GT-SC2) (GE 2)
or Physical Geology (GT-SC2)
or Biological Principles (with laboratory) (GT-SC1)
4
HIST 370 Public History 3
Gen Ed Arts & Humanities 3
 Credits14
Spring
ANTH 230 Cultural Anthropology (with laboratory) 4
COM 231 Stagecraft I 3
ROE 230 Interpretation of Natural and Cultural History 3
Gen Ed Arts & Humanities 3
Elective Elective 3
 Credits16
Summer
HIST 373 History of the National Parks Service 3
 Credits3
Year Three
Fall
HIST 371 Oral History Workshop 3
HIST 399 Internship in History (Upper Division Credits) 3
Elective HIST Elective (upper division) 3
Elective Public History Elective 3
Elective Elective 6
 Credits18
Spring
COM 323 Media/ Arts Management 3
HIST 372 Monuments and Museums 3
Elective Elective 3
Elective Public History Elective 3
Elective HIST Elective (upper division) 3
 Credits15
Summer
MGMM 600 Orientation and Practicum 3
 Credits3
Year Four
Fall
MGMM 601
or MGMM 612
Exhibition Principles I
or Business Principles I
3
HIST 402 Engaging the Past 3
Elective Elective 3
Elective Elective 3
 Credits12
Spring
MGMM 602
or MGMM 613
Exhibition Principles II
or Business Principles II
3
ElectiveElective 4
ElectiveElective 3
ElectiveElective 3
 Credits13
 Total Credits123

Spotlight

M.A. in Gallery and Museum Management (MGMM) 3+2

Kelsey Sloane

Staff

Careers

Take the first steps toward your dream career.

Career preparation is the primary focus of every academic program at Western. Our professors and Office of Career Services will help you identify your strengths, hone your skills, define your goals, and prepare for a fulfilling role in hundreds of professional fields after graduation.

Ready to apply or learn more about Western today?

Apply Request Info

Find Your Career

The data is automatically collected by Lightcast, a firm that sources job market data. The statistics illustrate general trends in U.S. careers, but do not precisely represent every job and salary.

Scholarships

Western’s Scholarship Application portal allows you to search for, apply to and manage your scholarship opportunities. This platform houses over 300+ departmental and privately funded scholarship opportunities available to both new and returning students. Through the scholarship portal, students may identify scholarship opportunities based on academic program, campus involvement, academic standing, specific keywords and more. Students may click below to begin learning about what scholarship opportunities are available to them.

Access to apply for scholarships through the portal is open through April 1.

Please check individual scholarship opportunity start dates and deadlines as there are exceptions.

Find your scholarships!

Western’s Scholarship Application portal allows you to search for, apply to and manage your scholarship opportunities. This platform houses over 300+ departmental and privately funded scholarship opportunities available to both new and returning students. Through the scholarship portal, students may identify scholarship opportunities based on academic program, campus involvement, academic standing, specific keywords and more. Students may click below to begin learning about what scholarship opportunities are available to them.

Access to apply for scholarships through the portal is open through April 1.

Please check individual scholarship opportunity start dates and deadlines as there are exceptions.

Find your scholarships!

Alumni Association Future Alumni Scholarship

The Alumni Association Scholarship is a one-time scholarship of $1,000 and is applicable for the student’s junior or senior year at Western.

Any child or grandchild of an alumni is eligible to receive the Future Alumni Scholarship.

  • This is a one-time non-renewable scholarship of $1,000.
  • Only one Future Alumni Scholarship will be awarded per academic year.
  • GPA must be 3.2 or above (college).

Due date has been extended to April 1 for 2023. An Alumni selection committee, appointed by the Alumni Advisory Council, will review applicants and select awardee by June 1.

Apply

Alumni Legacy Scholarship

The Alumni Legacy Scholarship is a one-time non-renewable scholarship and is only applicable for the student’s first year at Western (incoming freshman or new transfer students are eligible).

Do you have a son or daughter looking at college? Have they considered attending Western? As an alumni, your son, daughter and/or grandchildren are eligible for certain benefits distributed through this scholarship, as follows:

  • This is a one-time scholarship of $1,000.
  • Nominee must be an incoming first-year student or new transfer.
  • The cost of orientation is reduced by half (a $45 value).
  • The admission application fee is waived (a $30 value).
  • GPA must be 2.5 or above (high school or college of transfer).

The applicant must fill out the application form found below. Application forms are accepted year-round. If the applicant meets the GPA guidelines, the scholarship will be awarded.

Apply

Mountaineer Alumni Recommendation Scholarship

The Mountaineer Alumni Recommendation Scholarship is a one-time non-renewable scholarship and is only applicable for the student’s first year at Western. This scholarship is not available to midyear transfers or students beginning in the spring semester.

Are you an alumni or employee of Western and know a prospective (or incoming) student who would be a great fit at Western? A recommendation from alumni and employees can support any new student and provide them a $500 scholarship their first year. (Western employees may not recommend a spouse or dependent receiving tuition benefits).

  • Any Western alumni/employee may nominate only one student per academic year to receive the $500 scholarship (distributed $250 per semester).
  • The scholarship is good for the first year only and is non-renewable.
  • The recommended student must be a full-time undergraduate student, attending Western for the first time.

The applicant must fill out the application form found here. The nominating alumni/employee must fill out the application form and submit the required documents by June 1. The recommended student must meet university admissions acceptance standards and complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

The Presidential Promise is guaranteed to students who have received a scholarship through the Denver Scholarship Foundation (DSF) and/or GearUp—and are eligible for a Pell Grant.

For students who meet these criteria, Western will cover the cost of tuition and fees through the combination of federal, state and institutional aid. For more information on the Presidential Promise, visit our scholarships page.

Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE) or Central Plains (CP) tuition represents a substantial savings relative to normal, out-of-state tuition. Students eligible for the WUE or CP program will be charged 150% of Western’s total in-state tuition. For 2018-19, total in-state tuition was $8,934. WUE/CP tuition was $13,401. The WUE/CP discount is valued at $4,695.

For more information about the WUE and CP geography-based programs, visit Western’s Tuition Discount Programs Page.

Immediately upon acceptance at Western, every student is considered for a merit scholarship worth between $2,500-$4,500 per year for in-state students and $8,000-$10,000 for out-of-state students. The amount is based on the student’s GPA and ACT/SAT scores. Visit our Net Price Calculator at western.edu/cost to determine whether you qualify for a merit scholarship.

For more information about merit scholarships at Western, visit our scholarships page.

Degree Details

Graduate in just 5 years with a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree.

  • B.A. in Art with an emphasis in Art History & Theory: A strong foundation in Western and non-Western art history and in theory, emphasizing the development of solid research, writing and presentation skills.
  • B.A. in History with an emphasis in Public History: Prepares students with the historical foundations and communications tools needed to effectively engage the public with the past.
  • M.A. in Gallery and Museum Management (MGMM): A professional terminal master’s degree focused on preparing students for life in the art world.

Fast track your education

MGMM 3+2 students earn their bachelor’s degree in Art or History and M.A. in Gallery and Museum Management (MGMM) in just five years.

Get Involved

Take your education beyond the classroom.

Get the hands-on learning experience you need to apply your knowledge and launch your career.

Art

  • Gallery Exhibits: Students have opportunities to display their work in numerous shows, exhibits, convocations and galas—on campus and in the community.
  • Pathfinder Magazine: An annual publication for student creative work.
  • Student Art League: A branch of the Council for Creative expression, the Student Art League is dedicated to providing visual arts, experiences, professional development, educational opportunities and outreach for Art students.

History

  • Field Experience: Seniors travel to historical locations, such as the Sand Creek Massacre and Bent’s Old Fort national historical sites, to study the role of commemoration and memory.
  • History Honor Society: Join Iota Nu Chapter of Phi Alpha Theta, one of Western’s oldest academic honor societies.
  • History League: Sponsors activities including a book club and catapult construction.
  • Internships: Land an internship with the Crested Butte Heritage Museum.
  • Study Abroad: Travel to India, Ecuador, Prague, London, Italy or Belize through Extended Studies.

Gallery experience

Students have opportunities to display their work in numerous shows, exhibits, convocations and galas—on campus and in the community.

News & Research

museum manager hanging up artwork

Western’s MGMM Program Receives Donated Gallery

Read More about Western’s MGMM Program Receives Donated Gallery
western artwork

Made You Look: A Western Professor’s Netflix Debut

Read More about Made You Look: A Western Professor’s Netflix Debut
Western Colorado University announces participation in ‘Bridge to Bachelor’s’ program with Colorado Community College System

Western Colorado University announces participation in ‘Bridge to Bachelor’s’ program with Colorado Community College System

Read More about Western Colorado University announces participation in ‘Bridge to Bachelor’s’ program with Colorado Community College System
New partnership helps Red Rocks Community College students earn accelerated master’s degrees

New partnership helps Red Rocks Community College students earn accelerated master’s degrees

Read More about New partnership helps Red Rocks Community College students earn accelerated master’s degrees
MGES students research art history in the Gunnison Valley as part of summer practicum

MGES students research art history in the Gunnison Valley as part of summer practicum

Read More about MGES students research art history in the Gunnison Valley as part of summer practicum
Western Professor Receives NEA Grant

Western Professor Receives NEA Grant

Read More about Western Professor Receives NEA Grant
Western Colorado University adds new accelerated master’s pathway

Western Colorado University adds new accelerated master’s pathway

Read More about Western Colorado University adds new accelerated master’s pathway
MGES student achieves Visitors Services Assistant job at Art Omi

MGES student achieves Visitors Services Assistant job at Art Omi

Read More about MGES student achieves Visitors Services Assistant job at Art Omi
MGES student lands Gallery Manager position from internship

MGES student lands Gallery Manager position from internship

Read More about MGES student lands Gallery Manager position from internship
Western’s MGES program welcomes new director

Western’s MGES program welcomes new director

Read More about Western’s MGES program welcomes new director

Additional Resources

How It Works – MGMM 3+2

How It Works – MGMM 3+2 Students apply to Western as traditional undergraduate students and choose an Art major with an Art History & Theory emphasis or a History major with a Public History …

Learn More

Tuition & Aid

Tuition & Aid – MGMM 3+2 For the first three years, students in the MGMM 3+2 program pay undergraduate tuition and are eligible for undergraduate financial aid. The fourth year, students …

Learn More

MGMM Program Director

Erica Nunn-Kinias, Ph.D.

MGMM Program Director

Campus Location

Western Colorado University
1 Western Way
Kelley Hall 225
Gunnison, CO 81231

Take the Next Step

Apply to
Western

Apply to
Western

We understand that applying to a university can be daunting, which is why we make our admission process as simple and straightforward as possible. Learn more about applying to your program of choice at Western.

Visit
Western

Visit
Western

The best way to find out what makes Western such a special place is to experience it for yourself. Our student-led tours give you an insider’s perspective on everything from academics to student life.

Alumni
Community

Alumni
Community

We keep the Mountaineer spirit going strong within our alumni community. Whether getting together with friends at an annual event, making a donation or mentoring a student, graduates continue to play an important role in the Western community.

Request
Information

Request
Information

Want to discover more about Western? Request information today to get in touch with the admissions team.