There are many paths into this field. I know people who have done it a number of ways, but since I went to grad school and got my M.A., most of the people I know have done it that way. [BTW, I have never heard of a certificate program that was not attached to an actual master's program.] I believe that "apprenticeship" can be a valuable way to enter into museum work, however, I would caution you to keep up with the professional literature while you are working, and try to attend professional meetings as it is possible. I did interview a young woman for a job once, who had a BA, and had only worked at one institution. She had broad and very good experience at this one institution, but she also had a very limited point of view on the work. There was only one way she could conceive of doing things, and that was the way they did it at her institution. She didn't strike me as a very good candidate for moving anywhere else--at least until her horizon had broadened quite a bit. Besides, I am of the opinion that the further you get away from your education, and the more work experience you have, the more irrelevant your graduate (or, for that matter, undergraduate) experience is in terms of what you would be able to do right now at a museum. If your debt burden is too daunting (and it would certainly daunt me!), get work in a museum, keep your eyes and ears open, and read everything you can get your hands on. You will do fine. Claudia Nicholson Curator of Collections Museum of the South Dakota State Historical Society Pierre