Museum Studies (CERT)

Catalog Year 2026-2027

The aim of this program is to provide a perspective on the theory and practice of museums in an expanding global environment of technological, social and political change for current and future museum professionals. It emphasizes the role of technology as a pervasive aspect in today's museum, examines new models of education, exhibition, and business strategies, and explores the role of the museum as an agent of social change. We welcome students interested in all types of museums including history, technology, science, art, special topic or themed museums, historic sites, national parks and zoos and those interested in exhibitions for corporations, government agencies and private organizations.

The certificate may not be eligible for federal financial aid. Speak with the Campus Hub for details.

Program Requirements

Major Restricted Electives

Foundations - Choose 3 - 4 Credit(s). Select one course.

Introduces students to museum science and how historic constructs, practices, and contemporary issues of the museum as an institution relates to the representation of American Indians. Focus will be on translating western practices to a Indigenous aesthetic.

Prerequisites:
none
Diverse Cultures:
Gold

An intensive exploration of how to identify, catalogue, and curate archeological materials in a laboratory setting. Topics will include lithics, pottery, faunal, floral, metal, and other materials as well as data structure and recordation.

Prerequisites:
none

The study of art museum history, theory and practice, including ethics, collecting, and display will be addressed. Students gain on-site experience in a museum setting and work alongside museum staff in order to develop individual and group projects.

Prerequisites:
ART 260, ART 261

History, Theory, Practice - Choose 3 - 4 Credit(s). Select one course.

This class introduces students to Indigenous perspectives of education, knowledge, and learning. Students will explore the historical relationships between educational institutions, policies, practices, and Indigenous communities. Through an engagement with present day efforts of educators, programs, and institutions that incorporate and engage traditional knowledges, students will develop a deeper understanding of Indigenous education and ways to promote teaching practices and pedagogies that value and support a diverse educational community.

Prerequisites:
none
Diverse Cultures:
Purple

A detailed study of Minnesota archaeology from ca. 12,000 years ago to ca 1900, with a focus on diverse and changing Native American populations.

Prerequisites:
none

Historical survey of art and architecture from Islam's origins through today. Course focuses on contextualizing monuments, paintings, ceramic ware and other art forms from various regions around the world through the contemporary era.

Prerequisites:
none
Diverse Cultures:
Purple

Works by global artists throughout history are examined through the lens of gender in order to develop complex, multi-perspective and intersectional awareness of topics including feminism, gender nonconformity, sexuality, identity and race.

Prerequisites:
none

Arranged internship allows students to have a hands on experience applying theories and methodology from course work in the field to area of interest. Requires coordination with a faculty member.

Prerequisites:
none

Aesthetic principles, theories, and the creative process. Theories of visual arts, music, literature, dance, etc.

Prerequisites:
none

Administration & Management - Choose 3 - 4 Credit(s). Select one course.

Review of how cultural resources are being preserved and managed under current laws and regulations. Emphasis on examination of conservation, preservation and rescue methods in modern archaeology, and problems and issues in historic preservation and resource management.

Prerequisites:
ANTH 101, ANTH 210 or consent

Theoretical and practical aspects of administering arts organizations. Examines the management, budgeting, marketing and administration of arts programs and organizations. Obtains professional experience working with a regional arts organization.

Prerequisites:
none

Theoretical and practical aspects of administering arts organizations. Examines the management, budgeting, marketing, and administration or cultural organizations in the postmodern era.

Prerequisites:
none

This course introduces students to the concepts, principles, and the design involved in the event planning strategy; special event management; stakeholder development; budgets and finance; site selection; contracts, vendors, and marketing and promotions.

Prerequisites:
none

Historic Preservation: Policy and Field Methods introduces students to the rules and laws of structural historic preservation. The course will investigate the major policy documents, laws, agencies, survey methods, and examine how they are applied in local government preservation.

Prerequisites:
none

General Electives

Choose 3 - 4 Credit(s). No double-counting allowed from other categories.

This class introduces students to Indigenous perspectives of education, knowledge, and learning. Students will explore the historical relationships between educational institutions, policies, practices, and Indigenous communities. Through an engagement with present day efforts of educators, programs, and institutions that incorporate and engage traditional knowledges, students will develop a deeper understanding of Indigenous education and ways to promote teaching practices and pedagogies that value and support a diverse educational community.

Prerequisites:
none
Diverse Cultures:
Purple

Introduces students to museum science and how historic constructs, practices, and contemporary issues of the museum as an institution relates to the representation of American Indians. Focus will be on translating western practices to a Indigenous aesthetic.

Prerequisites:
none
Diverse Cultures:
Gold

A detailed study of Minnesota archaeology from ca. 12,000 years ago to ca 1900, with a focus on diverse and changing Native American populations.

Prerequisites:
none

Review of how cultural resources are being preserved and managed under current laws and regulations. Emphasis on examination of conservation, preservation and rescue methods in modern archaeology, and problems and issues in historic preservation and resource management.

Prerequisites:
ANTH 101, ANTH 210 or consent

An intensive exploration of how to identify, catalogue, and curate archeological materials in a laboratory setting. Topics will include lithics, pottery, faunal, floral, metal, and other materials as well as data structure and recordation.

Prerequisites:
none

Theoretical and practical aspects of administering arts organizations. Examines the management, budgeting, marketing and administration of arts programs and organizations. Obtains professional experience working with a regional arts organization.

Prerequisites:
none

Introduction to the art and architecture of the ancient era in its historical and cultural frameworks. Examination of representative works of art and major styles of ancient Mesopotamian, Egyptian, Aegean, Greek, Etruscan, and Roman cultures.

Prerequisites:
ART 260 or consent

The study of art museum history, theory and practice, including ethics, collecting, and display will be addressed. Students gain on-site experience in a museum setting and work alongside museum staff in order to develop individual and group projects.

Prerequisites:
ART 260, ART 261

Historical survey of art and architecture from Islam's origins through today. Course focuses on contextualizing monuments, paintings, ceramic ware and other art forms from various regions around the world through the contemporary era.

Prerequisites:
none
Diverse Cultures:
Purple

Historical survey of the art and architecture of China, Korea, Japan, and South Asia from pre-history to the present.

Prerequisites:
ART 260, ART 261 or consent
Diverse Cultures:
Purple

Works by global artists throughout history are examined through the lens of gender in order to develop complex, multi-perspective and intersectional awareness of topics including feminism, gender nonconformity, sexuality, identity and race.

Prerequisites:
none

A history of women from Classical Greece and Rome to the modern era. An analysis of the changing concepts of gender relations within a study of women as individuals and as members of socio-economic, ethnic, kin, and religious groups.

Prerequisites:
none
Diverse Cultures:
Purple

This course surveys African American history from slavery to the twenty-first century. We will explore the history of enslavement, black resistance, African American culture, freedom, migration patterns, and black political thought and participation as well as how historians have interpreted and re-interpreted this history.

Prerequisites:
none
Diverse Cultures:
Purple

This course will examine the U.S. civil rights movement in the 20th century. Students will study the African American freedom movement and other civil rights campaigns to understand the basis of both oppression and civil rights in the U.S. and will apply this historical context to contemporary civil rights struggles. The course will emphasize reading, research, and writing skills.

Prerequisites:
none

Arranged internship allows students to have a hands on experience applying theories and methodology from course work in the field to area of interest. Requires coordination with a faculty member.

Prerequisites:
none

Theoretical and practical aspects of administering arts organizations. Examines the management, budgeting, marketing, and administration or cultural organizations in the postmodern era.

Prerequisites:
none

Aesthetic principles, theories, and the creative process. Theories of visual arts, music, literature, dance, etc.

Prerequisites:
none

This course introduces students to the concepts, principles, and the design involved in the event planning strategy; special event management; stakeholder development; budgets and finance; site selection; contracts, vendors, and marketing and promotions.

Prerequisites:
none

Historic Preservation: Policy and Field Methods introduces students to the rules and laws of structural historic preservation. The course will investigate the major policy documents, laws, agencies, survey methods, and examine how they are applied in local government preservation.

Prerequisites:
none

Degree
Certificate

Major Credits
12

Total Credits
12

Locations
Mankato

Career Cluster
People and Cultures