What you may want to do is decide what type of museum you would like to
work for (art, historical, native-american, natural history, etc.) and
find a masters program in that field (art history, history, science)
supplementing with courses or a certificate in Museum Studies.  If your
looking to get into Education it might be wise to get an MAT and then
supplement that degree also with Museum Studies.  Having a more general
and well established masters degree would put you in a position for a
lot of other options as well.  Another great step would be gettting an
internship.  I have seen many current employees at the art museum I work
for get a foot in the door by starting as an intern.

Mike Rippy
>>> [log in to unmask] 10/15/2004 12:18:15 PM >>>

Hello, Everyone,

I am considering whether or not to apply to a Museology program.  I
have a degree in communication and have been a freelance writer for many
years. I want to turn my love of research, communication skills, writing
skills, etc. toward a museums career; preferably education.

I live in Portland where there are no museum programs, nor any in
Oregon as far as I can see. .The University of Washington has a
wonderful program. Joining that program would require me to move and
uproot my family. The U of W also has a certificate program; one which I
could manage without disrupting my life too much.

I realize that most jobs require the Masters. What is the general
consensus out there among you hiring managers about certificates? Would
I be wasting my money and time with a Certificate? Or, would it afford
me some immediately marketable skills, qualifying me for a job in the
field?

How can I start training in this field before waiting another three
years to begin and complete a program?

Thanks for all feedback.  : )

Kim Steffgen



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