Florida State University

Museum Studies at Florida State University is a certificate program with a broad understanding of museums and practical experience in museum work. The program prepares students for museum careers by adding specific museum instruction to their departmental studies. Students gain critical intelligence and the ability to analyze and achieve objectives in the professional museum field through a combination of discipline-based knowledge and practical training.

The certificate is granted as a supplement to a graduate degree program. This dual approach follows the American Association of Museums’ recommendations that specialized museum training be combined with one or more academic disciplines as the ideal preparation for a professional career.

The program includes students from the arts, humanities, and sciences. The following degree programs grant the certificate: Art, Arts Administration, Art Education, Art History, Classics, Dance, History, History and Philosophy of Science, Information Studies, Interior Design, Recreation and Leisure Services Administration, Retail Merchandising and Product Development, and Theatre. Graduates of the program will be qualified to seek employment in science centers, art museums, history museums, historic sites, ethnographic museums, natural history museums, and related institutions. Those who have already obtained a graduate degree may enter the program as a non-degree seeking student.

The program enjoys a collaborative relationship with museums in London, Florence and cities throughout Belgium. FSU’s extensive network of international study programs affords additional opportunities for course work and internships. Students in the program can also benefit from the unique opportunity of studying at the FSU Ringling Center for the Cultural Arts in Sarasota, with its world-renowned fine arts museum, circus collection, historic home, and Asolo Theater.