Museum Studies, Certificate

Program Description

The Museum Studies Certificate program is designed to be an interdisciplinary introduction to theory and practice of museums, historic sties and other public collections. It is open to undergraduate students in any major and prepares them for higher-level pre-professional study in the field.

What is Museum Studies

The museum studies certificate offers you the opportunity to learn about museums, from their history to how they work. Museum studies encompasses all types of museums, and you can tailor your classes to focus on such places as art museums, history museums, house museums, science and technology museums, fashion and product museums, or sports museums. The certificate uses courses and internship experience to give you both theoretical and hands-on knowledge of museums.

You Might Like This Program If...

You enjoy going to museums, are curious about how they work, and are interested in museum careers.

Program Requirements

To earn an undergraduate certificate in Museum Studies, a minimum of 12 credits is required.

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
Required Courses
ARTH 495	Internship	3
Select one of the following:		3
AMST 480	Museum Studies
ANTH 380	Anthropology Museum Studies
ARTH 409	Museum Studies
Select 6 credits from the following:		6
AED 101S	Introduction to Art Education
AED 201W	History and Philosophy of Art Education in Schools and Cultural Institutions
AED 211	Interpreting Art Experience: Social and Behavioral Perspectives
AED 212	Interpreting Art Experience: Educational Implications
AED 488	Cultural Institutions Practicum
AMST 480	Museum Studies
AMST 482	Public Heritage Practices
ANTH 220	Anthropology and Art/ifacts
ANTH 380	Anthropology Museum Studies
ANTH 433	Archaeological Ethics and Law
ART 409	Museum Studies
ART 411	Seminar in Contemporary Art
ART 477	Curator's Workshop
ARTH 100	Introduction to Art
ARTH 409	Museum Studies
ARTH 410	Taste and Criticism in Art
ARTH 495	Internship
ARTSA 301	Introduction to Arts Administration
ARTSA 402W	Strategic Management and Planning for the Arts
ARTSA 403	Fundraising and Grant Writing
HIST 112	Introduction to Public History
HIST 404	Advanced Public History
HIST 490	Archival Management
RPTM 300Y	Tourism and Leisure Behavior
RPTM 334	Non-profit Recreation Agency Operations
Up to 6 credits of Internship by permission of department

Academic Advising

The objectives of the university’s academic advising program are to help advisees identify and achieve their academic goals, to promote their intellectual discovery, and to encourage students to take advantage of both in-and out-of class educational opportunities in order that they become self-directed learners and decision makers.

Both advisers and advisees share responsibility for making the advising relationship succeed. By encouraging their advisees to become engaged in their education, to meet their educational goals, and to develop the habit of learning, advisers assume a significant educational role. The advisee’s unit of enrollment will provide each advisee with a primary academic adviser, the information needed to plan the chosen program of study, and referrals to other specialized resources.

READ SENATE POLICY 32-00: ADVISING POLICY

University Park

Elizabeth Mansfield
Head of the Department of Art History
240 Borland Building
University Park, PA
814-865-4886
ecm289@psu.edu

Career Paths

Museums of art, technology, sports and history exist in every major city in the world. Small towns and rural areas are also home to countless museums, of all sorts. Museums are important sites of cultural preservation and economic growth. Careers and graduate study in museums take many forms, from legal, business, and administrative aspects to educational and curatorial paths. Some careers in museum administration do not require graduate degrees while others typically do.

Careers

• Museum Director
• Museum Registrar
• Museum Educator
• Museum Curator
• Exhibition Coordinator
• Communications Director

MORE INFORMATION ABOUT POTENTIAL CAREER OPTIONS FOR GRADUATES WITH A CERTIFICATE IN MUSEUM STUDIES

Opportunities for Graduate Studies

• Art History
• Arts Administration
• Art Education
• Law
• Business

MORE INFORMATION ABOUT OPPORTUNITIES FOR GRADUATE STUDIES

Contact

University Park

DEPARTMENT OF ART HISTORY
240 Borland Building
University Park, PA 16802
814-865-6326
exn30@psu.edu

https://arthistory.psu.edu