Museum Studies Professional Development Program

The museum studies program crosses academic and professional boundaries. Theory and practical experience come together in a curriculum that prepares participants for professional or volunteer careers in administration and specialty disciplines within museums, zoos, aquariums, parks and botanical gardens.

Northwestern University's School of Continuing Studies (SCS) offers a Museum Studies program designed to give an overview of museum practices and strategies and help students understand the contemporary role played by collections and exhibits. Chicago is one of the country's major cultural centers, and courses are taught by leading museum professionals from the area.

Learning Goals

Through lectures, discussions, slide presentations and field trips to Chicago museums, students learn about:

• Origins of American museums
• How collections, audience and community inform museum missions
• Building audience
• Creating educational programs and exhibits
• Fundraising and development, finance, and management
• Organizational development
  

To earn a Certificate of Completion in Museum Studies, students must successfully complete three courses:

• Museum Origins & Missions
• Successful Museum Management in Today’s Environment
• Education for Museum Visitors

Students typically move through the program in a cohort, graduating in one year. However, classes can be taken individually and out of sequence.

While not a requirement for the certificate, The Exhibit from Concept to Opening and Beyond is a two-day course that covers a skill vital to museum professionals: understanding the components of a successful museum exhibition. Participants interested in learning how to conceptualize, research, display and promote temporary or permanent museum exhibitions should consider attending.

Museum professionals may also be interested in SCS' Fine and Decorative Arts Fine and Decorative Arts Appraisal and Connoisseurship program, which features courses on art history, evaluation, and materials. Two certificates are available in appraisal and connoisseurship studies.

Northwestern Excellence

• Northwestern University is a preeminent university recognized internationally as a hallmark of academic excellence.
• School of Continuing Studies programs provide students with exceptional opportunities for intellectual, professional and personal growth.
• SCS instructors bring outstanding academic credentials and relevant professional experience to the classroom to create a highly interactive, collaborative, and challenging learning environment.
• SCS students study with peers who have rich, diverse backgrounds and can provide lifelong learning connections.

Course Information

We offer convenient evening courses at Chicago Lakefront campus. Registration information and detailed course descriptions can be found on the Museum Studies course listings page. Schedules, content and prices are subject to change.