The Museum Studies certificate program unites history, theory and practical learning that prepares participants for professional or volunteer careers in administration, collections and specialty disciplines within museums, zoos, aquariums, parks, and botanical gardens. Through lectures, guest speakers, discussions, and field trips to their local museums, students will gain relevant information and build applicable skills related to the following areas:
History of museums
Ethical challenges
Building audiences
Maximizing learning opportunities for museum visitors
Fundraising, finance and management
Organizational development
The ways collections and community inform museum missions
Our curriculum emphasizes real-world projects that let you apply course concepts to meet the needs of actual museums. Past projects have included developing virtual tour plans for the Musée Naval de Quebec, creating rebranding campaigns for the National Hellenic Museum, and designing family programs for Chicago’s Adler Planetarium.
Optional Chicago Symposium
For an immersive, in-person experience, the program offers an annual two-day symposium, The Journey of a Museum Exhibition. Held on our Chicago campus, this session features museum site visits and guest speakers, providing a comprehensive look at the exhibition process from vision to reality.
Earn a resume-building credential at a fraction of the cost of a degree. Northwestern’s Museum Studies program tuition is comparable to or less than similar programs at peer institutions.
Flexible online format
Online and asynchronous, the courses in this certificate program can be completed when your schedule allows, from anywhere in the world.
Faculty with industry experience
The online Museum Studies program is taught by faculty members with years of industry experience at some of the world’s most renowned museums, including the Victoria and Albert Museum, the Getty, Shedd Aquarium, Intuit Art Museum, and the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Evolving curriculum
Northwestern’s Museum Studies certificate online offers relevant, practical information that equips students with skills directly applicable to the museum field. Faculty consistently review and update theircourses to incorporate the most recent issues and theories in this dynamic field.
Hands on, real-world museum projects
Students engage directly with museums by researching institutional history and mission, analyzing existing programs, and designing projects that meet real museum needs. This practical experience allows learners to apply course concepts to tangible outcomes, from developing virtual tours and rebranding campaigns to creating educational programs for families and communities.
Networking opportunities
Build your professional network by engaging with museum professionals from across the country. In addition to learning from esteemed guest lecturers, you’ll have the chance to forge strong connections with your peers through the program’s discussion boards, sync sessions, and resume-building group projects.
The courses that I took definitely provided a foundation for me in museum management. I was able to network with folks from institutions like Cooper Hewitt. Having the exposure to people who were working day to day in the field was helpful.”
Sandra James, deputy director of the Biggs Museum of American Art
The Museum Studies certificate program is useful for a wide range of careers within museums, zoos, aquariums, and gardens, including curatorial, administrative, collections management, education, and board roles Whether you want to advance your career as a current museum professional or break into the field from another industry, this program provides the knowledge and skills essential to achieving your goal in a timely manner.
Those considering a graduate degree in museum studies may also benefit from the online Museum Studies certificate as a chance to see whether a master’s is the right fit for you. Many organizations now prioritize experience over advanced degrees in their hiring process; when combined with internships and a relevant professional portfolio, the Museum Studies certificate may provide enough of the requisite educational background to qualify you for coveted roles at well-known museums.
The things I learned [in the program] allowed me to get into graduate school for my master’s degree in museum studies and have stayed with me throughout my career. It was a great way to network. I still keep in touch with my teachers and some of the people I met in the program.”
Teresita Avilés Bailey, annual giving manager at the Griffin Museum of Science at Industry
Museum Studies program courses
To earn a certificate of completion in Museum Studies, students must successfully complete three core courses. Students typically earn their certificate in one year. Classes can be taken in any order and may be completed concurrently.
The required courses are:
Museum Origins & Issues (MUSEUM 370-DL)
Successful Museum Management in Today’s Environment (MUSEUM 371-DL)
Learning and Museums (MUSEUM 372-DL)
The Journey of a Museum Exhibition: From Vision to Reality course (MUSEUM 373-0) is optional and intended for professionals at smaller institutions who need specific exhibit design know-how.
Click on the course titles below for brief descpriptions, or visit the Museum Studies course schedule page for course details and a full list of upcoming program offerings.
Museum Origins and Issues
Course Number
Topics
MUSEUM 370-DL
Origins of the major types of museums
Contemporary issues and ethical challenges in museums
Establishment and interpretation of the primary public mission
Objectivity/subjectivity in exhibits
DEAI initiatives in museums
Community inclusion
As an alternative to the course-spanning project researching the history, mission, and current application of that mission in a museum of their choice, students may choose to produce an independent project, which in recent years have included on-line and in-person exhibit proposals and drafts for grants.
Successful Museum Management in Today’s Environment
Course Number
Topics
MUSEUM 371-DL
Governance and organizational structure with respect to museum leadership, employees, and volunteers
Fundraising and membership
Marketing and public relations
Collections management
Exhibit development and design
Impact of technology on museums, including virtual museums
Building museum relevance for new audiences
For the final assessment, students will work in small groups to complete a real-life museum project that provides meaningful effort for the museum and learning for the student team. Examples of past projects include the development of a new strategic plan for the Dakota Discovery Museum, a virtual tour plan for the Musée Naval de Quebec, the implementation of an online store for the Haitian American Museum, and a renaming and rebranding campaign for the National Hellenic Museum.
Learning and Museums
Course Number
Topics
MUSEUM 372-DL
History and development of museum education
Theories of formal and non-traditional learning and involvement in museums
How to maximize learning potential through exhibit and architectural design
Features of good design in family programs
Role of technology in visitor engagement, on-site and off
How museums can better engage all types of visitors
As an alternative to the course-spanning project researching all aspects of learning in a museum of their choice, students may choose to design an all-ages project. Recent examples have included family programs designed for the Adler Planetarium in Chicago and the National Music Museum in South Dakota.
Optional Two-day Exhibit Symposium
Museum 373-0 The Journey of a Museum Exhibition: From Vision to Reality is a supplement to the Museum Studies certificate program or can be a stand-alone experience for museum professionals and those who are interested in furthering their knowledge of the exhibit process.
This two-day symposium presents a comprehensive overview of the critical components that make a museum exhibit successful, providing a look into the key elements of exhibition development, from conceptualization to audience engagement and funding strategies.
Key Highlights:
Purpose & Collaboration: Understanding exhibition objectives, viewpoints, and team responsibilities
Narrative & Budgeting: Crafting compelling themes and managing financial constraint
Audience Engagement: Strategies for captivating diverse audiences and ensuring accessibility
Chicago museum site visits, guest speakers, case studies, and group activities will give ample opportunities to model best practices and help attendees better understand the remarkable opportunities and possible challenges facing museum professionals as they create an exhibition.
The course is typically offered one time a year in either late spring or summer at Wieboldt Hall on Northwestern's Chicago campus. Students should expect out-of-pocket expenses related to meals, transportation to/from museum sites, and museum entrance fees.
Hear from the Museum Studies faculty
Caroline Goldthorpe is the director of SPS's Museum Studies certificate online program and the instructor for Museum Origins and Issues andLearning and Museums.In recognition of her accomplishments, Caroline has been made a lifetime fellow of the Royal Society of Arts.
Jack Ludden is a Digital Experience and Innovation Strategist at Balboa Park Online Collaborative and co-professor ofSuccessful Museum Management. His passion is using his experience as a digital advocate, communications specialist, and UX champion to transform museums and cultural institutions.
Debra Kerr is the current president and CEO of Intuit Art Museum and co-professor of Successful Museum Management.She is passionate about expanding the role museums can play in social good and increasing museum relevance for marginalized communities.
To read more about the instructors for this program, their experience and specialties, please visit our Museum Studies faculty page.
Tuition and financial aid for Museum Studies online
Northwestern University School of Professional Studies is recognized by SHRM to offer Professional Development Credits (PDCs) for SHRM-CP® or SHRM-SCP®recertification activities.Some courses in this program are valid for PDCs for the SHRM-CP® or SHRM-SCP®. Refer to each course description for requirements and the number of PDCs awarded.
Find out more about Northwestern's Museum Studies certificate online program
Contact SPS enrollment advisers
SPS enrollment advisers at Northwestern University School of Professional Studies can be a resource to you for inquiries regarding our certificate programs.
Northwestern University School of Professional Studies is recognized by SHRM to offer Professional Development Credits (PDCs) for SHRM-CP® or SHRM-SCP® recertification activities. Some courses in this program are valid for PDCs for the SHRM-CP® or SHRM-SCP®. Refer to each course description for requirements and the number of PDCs awarded.