Museum Studies Graduate Certificate

Are you looking for a museum studies credential – either freestanding, or to pair with your graduate work in another field? Our 18 credit hour Museum Studies Graduate Certificate will complement your graduate degree and prepare you for a career in museums. One required introductory course (3 credit hours) will start your theoretical foundation. Two core courses (6 credit hours) from an approved set (or a MSTD elective, with permission) introduce you to museum methods, and two electives (6 more credit hours), one of which must be MSTD, let you dig deeper into the specialty areas and issues that interest you most. Capping your certificate, a required internship (3 credit hours) gives you firsthand, practical experience in a local museum and the chance to apply your skills as you work closely with a professional mentor.

Graduate Certificate Curriculum: (18 cr. Total)

Museum Theory (3 cr.):

  • MSTD A503: Introduction to Museum Studies (3 cr.)

Core Courses (6 cr.): Choose two from the following:

  • MSTD A505: Museum Methods (3 cr.)
  • MSTD A510: Museum Education (3 cr.)
  • MSTD A512: Exhibit Planning and Design (3 cr.)
  • MSTD A516: Collections Care and Management (3 cr.)
  • MSTD A548/HIST 548: Museum Administration (3 cr.)
  • A MSTD elective may substitute for a core course with permission (3 cr.)

Elective Courses (6 cr.): Choose two from the following, one of which must be MSTD:

  • MSTD A513: Curatorial Practices (3 cr.)
  • MSTD A517: Preventive Conservation (3 cr.) [MSTD A516 prerequisite required]
  • MSTD A518: Museums and Audiences (3 cr.)
  • MSTD A540: Cultural Heritage (3 cr.)
  • MSTD A577: Community Collaboration and Curation (3 cr.)
  • MSTD-A560: Current Topics in Museum Studies (3 cr.) (see course schedule for current listing)
  • Additional MSTD core courses from the list above, beyond the required two.
  • Additional approved electives from Museum Studies and other departments. See current schedule for course listing.

Practical Museum Work (3 cr.):

  • MSTD-A 508: Museum Internship (3 cr.)
  • This requirement may be waived with the demonstration of significant museum professional experience and 3 credits of additional course work substituted
  • Internships offered under your degree program are also accepted (ex. HIST H543)

Note: the 18 credit hour curriculum must be completed with a minimum grade of B- in each course.

How to Apply:

To apply to the Graduate Certificate program in Museum Studies (MSTD), please visit: How To Apply

Feel free to contact the Director of Graduate Studies, Dr. Lois Silverman (lsilverm@iu.edu), with any questions.