Museum Studies Certificate Program Career Outlook, Northwestern University School of Professional Studies: School of Professional Studies

Career Options

This program, in combination with experience and appropriate academic background, will teach students the skills they need to succeed as:

Museum curators
Exhibition Planners or Designers
Museum Technicians
Educators
Registrars
Collections Managers
Board Members

Museum Studies Potential

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, overall employment of archivists, curators, and museum workers is projected to grow 11 percent from 2023 to 2033, with an average of 4,700 such positions becoming available each year.

Average Salaries

Exhibit Designer: $67,170
Museum Archivist/Curator: $57,120

_{Note: actual salaries vary by location, education, experience, and other factors. Students are encouraged to conduct their own salary research when considering career options.}

Additional Information

The museum studies program is designed for both career changers and museum professionals wishing to advance their careers. Additionally, the optional course on exhibit development can be an important resource for administrators as well as artists and exhibit developers.

Sources

U.S. Department of Labor. (2024, August 29). Archivists, Curators, and Museum Workers. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. https://www.bls.gov/ooh/education-training-and-library/curators-museum-technicians-and-conservators.htm

U.S. Department of Labor. (2024, April 3). Set and Exhibit Designers. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes271027.htm