The Met offers paid opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students, as well as recent graduates, to explore museum careers and gain professional experience during the summer. They offer the full-time Museum Seminar Internship Program and a limited number of part-time internships. Placements are available in Education, Archives, Conservation, Publications & Editorial, and more. Apply by January 15, 2025.
Learn more about both programs at https://www.metmuseum.org/about-the-met/internships/undergraduate-and-graduate-students/summer.
The Museum Seminar (MuSe) Internship Program
Departmental Placement
Each intern is placed in one of the Museum's departments under the supervision of a full-time staff member. The Met has over forty department areas that host interns from a wide variety of academic backgrounds with an interest in art and museums. For example, someone studying communications might apply to intern in our External Affairs Department. Art history and humanities students gain valuable experience not only in our curatorial departments, but also in areas like Publications, Education, or Development. Studio art, design, or photography majors have thrived in areas like Digital, Design, or Education. Our Department of Scientific Research often welcomes students with a strong background in science.
The Met Cloisters
Every summer a small group of interns is placed at The Met Cloisters to learn about art interpretation, educational programming, and visitor engagement at this unique site dedicated to medieval art. These interns work onsite at The Met Cloisters at least three days a week and participate fully in orientation and all other intern activities and programs at The Met Fifth Avenue. Cloisters interns do not need a background in medieval art or museum education, though an interest in both is a plus. If you would like to intern at The Met Cloisters, please select Cloisters Internship under the Education or Medieval Art placement areas on your application.
Learn about the possible internship placement areas at The Met.
Departmental placements change annually and depend upon available projects.
The Museum Seminar (MuSe) Series
Weekly seminars give interns an understanding of the many different kinds of work that occur at The Met, and how Museum professionals collaborate to plan and support the daily operations of one of the world's largest museums. Through these weekly seminars, interns are connected to a community of Met staff, fellows, and other interns.
Public Engagement
During the first two weeks of the summer, interns participate in an intensive training period focused on best practices in museum teaching and public speaking. They learn how to talk with visitors about original works of art in a way that is relevant, engaging, and accessible. Interns then develop and lead tours or other programs that incorporate their own interests and offer the public an insider perspective on The Met and its collection.
Dates, Compensation, and Commitment
June 2–August 8, 2025
Full time: five days, thirty-five hours per week
Compensation: $24 per hour, plus $1,500 toward housing/travel to New York City (less applicable taxes and deductions)
Met interns commit to being fully present and onsite for the duration of the internship. They are not permitted to take courses or hold additional jobs or internships that coincide with their scheduled Met internship work hours.
Part-time Summer Internship
These internships are more flexible than MuSe internships in terms of scheduling and are ideal for students who are taking summer classes. Interns may be placed in any Museum department, depending on their interests, skills, and Museum staff resources. Learn about all the possible internship placement areas at The Met. Part-time interns are invited to participate in the Friday seminars described above as part of their internship hours.
Dates and Compensation
June 2–August 8, 2025Part time: flexible schedule, fourteen hours per week
Compensation: $24 per hour (less applicable taxes and deductions)
How to Apply
Apply using the online application.
Application deadline: January 15, 2025, 5 pm (ET)Notification: by the end of April 2025
If you need an access accommodation or have a question regarding available accommodations, or if you need this application in an alternative format to successfully submit your candidacy, please contact collegeprograms@metmuseum.org.
The application will ask you to select which internships interest you: a part-time internship, a MuSe Program ten-week internship, or a MuSe Program long-term internship. You may apply for any and all of these internships with the same application.
The application requires:
- Short essay responses
- An unofficial transcript
- A résumé describing any work or extracurricular experiences
- For Design Department candidates, a PDF portfolio or link to an online portfolio
- Two letters of recommendation, one of which must be from a professor or instructor who knows you in an academic context
If you are unsure about how to write a résumé, we suggest you contact the career services center at your college or university for guidance.
Interviews
Interviews are required for finalists only. If you are selected as a finalist, we will contact you directly to set up a virtual interview.
Please refer to our Frequently Asked Questions if you have general questions about the program, or register for one of our online information sessions to learn more about the program and application.
There is no fee to apply to any of the internships.
