If you’re interested in a career in a museum or other historical or cultural organization, or if you’re already working in the field, here’s an opportunity to enhance your skills with an online course.

Kent State University is now offering a museum studies specialization in its Master of Library and Information Science (MLIS) program. If you’re not sure that the full degree program is for you, you can take a course as a guest student.

The Museum Communication course is completely online and still open for registration, with the first class starting on Sept. 12. You’ll learn about the practical and conceptual elements in the many ways museums communicate with the public: through interpretation, exhibition, publication, educational programming and on the Web.

Foundations of Museum Studies (LIS 60700) is a prerequisite for Museum Communication, but if you are taking 60700 this semester, if you have previously taken an introductory museum studies course (in SLIS or elsewhere), or are currently employed in a museum or cultural organization, you can take this communication course.*

Registration details:

Course number: LIS 60702

CRN: 29494

Dates: 12 weeks, Sept. 12 – Dec. 2

Instructor: Kiersten F. Latham, Ph.D.

*If you are not a current MLIS student at Kent State, you can register as a guest student. If you then decide to apply to the School of Library and Information Science, you can apply up to 6 hours of your guest student courses toward the M.L.I.S.

The guest application is short and has no application fee. The online guest application can be accessed here: http://www.kent.edu/admissions/apply/graduate/guest.cfm. When you apply, you need to be sure to complete every field requested on the application or it will be rejected (this includes something as simple as commencement date). You can check on their application status by contacting Graduate Studies at [log in to unmask] or 330-672-2661.  After you apply, then you can contact us at [log in to unmask] if they do not hear from Graduate Studies within a few days.  

If you were a previous Kent State graduate student, then you will need to complete a reapplication, http://www.kent.edu/admissions/apply/graduate/reapplication.cfm. 

In both instances, you should select the College of Communication and Information.

Guest admission could take only a couple of days if the application is approved and you “qualify” for admission based on the review by Graduate Studies.  However, it could take a week or more if there is something incorrect or missing from your application.   Because this class starts in 12 days, we encourage you to submit their application quickly.

If you have previously taken an introductory course elsewhere, you will need to supply a transcript (and possibly a syllabus) as proof, and then we can give it to Dr. Latham to review and approve.  Then you can be registered. If you are currently employed in a museum or cultural institution, please submit proof by email or fax (330-672-7965).

For more information on the museum studies specialization, visit http://www.kent.edu/slis/programs/mlis/museum-studies.cfm. Please note that the entire specialization – the entire M.L.I.S. – can be completed online, from anywhere, at any time.

All the best,

Flo

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Flo Cunningham

Marketing Communications and Public Relations Director

School of Library and Information Science

Kent State University

330-672-0003

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I have always imagined that Paradise will be a kind of library. -- Jorge Luis Borges