Overview

Carolyn Vacca (History), Program Director

The Museum Studies program provides a broad academic approach to the study of museum operation and the museum experience within the context of the liberal arts. The program offers a balanced presentation of the challenges of selecting, maintaining, and interpreting material culture. A special focus is placed upon utilizing archaeological collections (artifacts). The theoretical, academic approach of the liberal arts and sciences is emphasized, but practical applications of this knowledge in preparation for careers in museums are also included. Students served by this program include:

• Individuals who plan to pursue graduate work in museum studies or immediate work in the field.
• Individuals who are currently in an allied field (American Studies, Anthropology, History, Arts, Education) and wish to enhance their studies.
• Individuals who are presently involved with museum work but not currently a matriculated student and wish to broaden their academic training in the field.

The program provides a balanced presentation of the challenges and opportunities of presenting our rich material culture heritage. The significant work/internship that is part of the certificate requirements gives the student practical exposure to the work of a museum, archive, or historic site and in so doing better prepares the student for work experience. The program also provides a basis for post-graduate studies in one of the many graduate programs in museum studies.

Coursework for the certificate may be used toward a student’s requirements in satisfaction of the College Core, the major, and/or the minor. Students interested in the certificate should contact Dr. Rhoades to begin to plan the scheduling of their coursework, especially the internship experience.

Program Requirements

Museum Studies Certificate Requirements

All students pursuing the certificate in Museum Studies must take two required courses and three elective courses. The certificate normally requires 15 credit hours.*

*Students pursuing the certificate who have already earned a baccalaureate degree and who have at least one year of experience with the operation of a museum or archive (paid or unpaid) may petition the director to substitute a one-credit MSTD 496 Independent Study for the 490 - Internship requirement. This course will consist of preparing an analytic research paper on a significant aspect of museum studies. The topic must be approved by the director, and the student must complete the Independent Study/Tutorial Authorization form. These students complete the certificate with 13 credit hours.

**Only one course from HIST 202, 296D or 298D may be applied to the certificate.

Note: To earn the certificate in Museum Studies, the student must complete each course declared to be part of the program with a grade of at least a “C” (2.00) and achieve a grade point average of a 2.50 for all five courses. A student may transfer only two courses from another institution to be applied to the certificate, and the internship course may not be transferred.