Certificate Title:  Museum Studies Certificate

Certificate Name and Number:  Museum Studies – CTMSTG

Department(s)/Unit(s):  School of Art + Design

Delivery Mode:  Athens Campus

Terms of Entry:  Fall

Enrollment Eligibility:  Degree-seeking students, non-degree status

Certificate Overview:  The museum field continues to expand because of the ongoing process of collecting, preserving, interpreting, and exhibiting historically significant items. This certificate adds value to a variety of degree programs in multiple disciplines by providing a foundation for students interested in working in museums, in educational and interpretive centers, or in similar organizations promoting public outreach and education. In addition, the program provides a foundation for students interested in pursuing advanced degrees in Museum Studies. The program emphasizes the visitor experience throughout all aspects of museum decision-making and planning processes. Students in the program will learn about the inner operations of nonprofit and arts and cultural heritage organizations; have an opportunity to work directly with objects and artifacts; become immersed in current museum methods and cultural heritage literature; and learn about networking and resume-building opportunities. This certificate is typically completed in two semesters.

Certificate Learning Outcomes:

• Students will be able to design professional museum displays.
• Students will be able to create appropriate, educational, interpretive materials for museum visitors.
• Students will be able to properly handle and display objects, artifacts and other museum holdings.
• Students will be able to articulate how museums collect, preserve, interpret and exhibit items.

Opportunities upon Completion:  The Museum Studies Certificate Program helps prepare students to work in museums, educational and interpretive centers, and in similar organizations promoting public outreach and education. In addition, the program provides a foundation for students interested in pursuing advanced degrees in Museum Studies.

Completion Requirements:  This certificate requires a minimum of 12 hours.

Museum Studies Core Courses: Required

• ART 5100: Museum Fundamentals I (3.0HR)
• ART 5922: Museum Fundamentals II - Practicum (3.0HR)

Electives: Students must select and successfully complete 6 credit hours. Courses must be taken from two different areas among the following departments: Anthropology, Art History, Biology, Education, Voinovich School of Leadership and Public Affairs Master in Public Administration, Geology, Film, Music, Plant Biology, Recreation Studies, Retail Merchandising and Fashion Product Development, Modern Language, Theater, and History. Visit the following page for a list of elective course options: https://www.ohio.edu/fine-arts/art/museum-studies-certificate.

Culminating Experience:  Students in this program will take part in creating an exhibition at the Kennedy Museum of Art during the final semester. This involves concept design, curation of items, individual item display and overall exhibition design, interpretative materials, promotion, educational programming, reception organization and gallery tours.

Financial aid eligibility information:

• Non-degree-seeking students enrolled in this certificate are not eligible for federal financial aid.
• Current degree-seeking students may use federal financial aid only for 1) coursework fulfilling requirements of their degree, including required elective hours, or 2) coursework toward a second financial aid-eligible program.
• Students receiving federal financial aid may not take courses for this certificate unless they are also enrolled full-time (9 hours) in their degree program during the same academic term. Financial aid may be used for courses that count toward both degree requirements and the certificate.

Admission Requirements:  Application materials should be sent to: Museum Studies Review Committee, School of Art + Design, 528 Seigfred Hall, Ohio University, Athens, Ohio, 45701; or emailed to: pauleye@ohio.edu. Acceptance will be determined by the Director of the program.

• Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree or equivalent
• Resume/CV
• Letter of recommendation from a faculty member in the major discipline of the student
• Application essay stating how the Museum Studies Certificate meets the academic and professional goals of the student

International Students: This certificate program alone does not permit full-time enrollment in residence at Ohio University, and an I-20 cannot be issued based on admission to this certificate.