What You'll Learn
The Museum Studies Graduate Certificate offers a broad foundation in the principles and practices that shape today’s museums. Through a variety of courses, this certificate equips you with the knowledge to support innovative work in cultural institutions. You’ll build:
- An understanding of important museum management practices, such as leadership, financial management, organizational behavior, and resource development.
- Insight into facets of visitor experience and exhibits, including curation, conservation, collection management, and design.
- Knowledge of museum-focused topics, such as exhibition development and design, visitor engagement, museum law, or technology.
Courses
The Museum Studies Graduate Certificate requires four courses or 16 credits. You may choose any four courses from the museum studies certificate course group using the certificate course search.
Searching and Registering for Courses
Available course options vary by term. You can browse options for fall, spring, or summer in the certificate course search within the DCE Course Search & Registration platform.
Our Community at a Glance
You and your peers will make connections and find new possibilities in order to keep museum operations smooth, collections relevant, and visitors inspired.
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50%
Applied Certificate to ALM Degree
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60%
Working Full Time
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95%
Would Recommend Certificate
Earning Your Certificate
Most of our certificates can be completed online and no formal application process is required to pursue a certificate.
To meet the requirements for the certificate, you must:
- Complete 16 certificate credits at the graduate level.
- Earn at least a B grade in each course.
- Complete the courses within three years.
Learn more about pursuing a certificate and the process of requesting your certificate.
Petition to apply 2-credit museum studies courses to your museum studies certificate:
Enrolling in two 2-credit museum studies courses — in place of one 4-credit course — is possible by petition. Approval is required before pursuing this option. Please email Graduate_Certificates@Extension.Harvard.edu for more information.
Stack Your Certificate Into a Degree
Stackable credential pathways allow you to earn multiple credentials by completing courses that meet overlapping requirements. In the short term, you can earn your museum studies certificate. Once completed, those four courses put you a third of the way toward earning a master’s degree in museum studies.
This stackable pathway offers an efficient, cost-effective way to earn short-term credentials to help fill immediate skill gaps and acquire specialized knowledge while building a foundation for long-term success that showcases your expertise in the field.
Learn how to plan a stackable credential pathway.
Cost
Affordability is core to our mission. When compared to our continuing education peers, it’s a fraction of the cost.
| Our Tuition (2025–26 rate) | $3,440 per course |
|---|---|
| Average Tuition of Peer Institutions | $5,476 per course |
| Average Total Cost | $13,760 |
