The College of Arts and Sciences at Zayed University is introducing a new Master of Arts in Museum Studies program.  This initiative is a first of its kind in this specialization  and  is the latest addition to 20 Executive Masters programs and 10 Graduate Cerficates spanning across various fields of study.  The new M.A. in Museum Studies will be available for student enrollment as of April 2012.

Dr Sulaiman Al Jassim, Vice President of Zayed University said: “This program aims to build and develop national talents through education and training in the rapidly expanding arts and cultural industry, including museums, archiving institutions, national heritage institutions, as well as arts management, collection and exhibitions, all of which enable Zayed University to develop other programs dedicated to cultural and historic projects.  Zayed University is aiming to be an educational leader in the fields of cultural heritage and arts management, hence becoming a regional center of expertise that serves the region and empowers graduates to assume leadership positions in the aformentionned fields across the GCC.

Al Jassim added that the UAE  is witnessing an increasing need for staff and trained experts  in Museum Studies today due to the spread of museums across the country. Roles needed include Marketing, art exhibition and organisation, art collections, administration, management and much more. Al Jassim noted that the program is launched and implemented in collaboration with the University of St. Andrews, which is renowened for having founded the most successful programs in British Museum Studies. He also added that the program meets the University's academic strategy that commits to the development of the community and the needs of the employment market across all industries.

The total number of credit hours for this program is 36 hours in addition to 12 hours to obtain the Graduate Certicate in Museum Studies. This program provides students with the knowledge and skills to envision, design, develop, implement, and administer cultural projects and exhibitions in accordance with contemporary international standards and best practices. The program provides a foundation in museum operation and management, exhibition design, contemporary Western art, Islamic design, and Emirati heritage.