The museum field in the United States has grown significantly in the four decades since the end of World War II. Between 30% and 40% of paid museum employees are involved in work unique to museums. The American Association of Museums has stressed the benefit of specialized museum training as well as a firm grounding in one or more academic subject areas to prepare potential museum employees for their jobs. The University of South Carolina now offers a graduate level program leading to the Certificate of Graduate Study in Museum Management. This program, taught through the University’s McKissick Museum, adheres to the professional standards established by the American Association of Museums while also providing a source of knowledgeable, trained personnel for the many rapidly growing regional institutions. The Certificate Program is designed to be followed by  graduate degree-seeking students in many departments in the humanities and social sciences, as well as in the College of Library and Information Science. This course of study will prepare students in academic areas for entry-level museum positions, provide museum workers with skills for advancement in their careers, and serve as a source of information on new museological theory and practices for higher level professionals who have been in the museum profession for some years.

CURRICULUM Course work is focused on a number of aspects of museum work including management of museums and museum collections, implementation and evaluation of museum programs, presentation of collections, and ethical and legal aspects of museum operations. Internships are arranged with selected museums throughout the region. This experience allows students to assume professional level responsibilities, receive training and guidance from museum professionals, and understand the overall operation of the museum and its relationship to the museum field.
 
The eighteen credits required for the certificate are made up of MUSM 700-Administration and Management of Museums (3 credits), MUSM 701-Functions and Interpretation of Museum (3 credits), MUSM 702-Internships in Museums (6 credits), MUSM 703-Independent Study in Museum Management (3 credits), and MUSM 704-Readings in Museum Management (3 credits).

APPLY Application must be made through the University of South Carolina Graduate School.