Some institutions offer certificates as one year programs versus the MA
degree's 2+ years. George Washington University's programs work that way. I
think the certificate program is often used by professionals already in the
field but might never have taken a degree.

Rebecca L. Fifield
Collections Care Specialist
Department of Textile and Fashion Arts
Museum of Fine Arts, Boston
www.mfa.org


-----Original Message-----
From: Darlene Richardson [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: Wednesday, July 11, 2001 10:48 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Certificate vs. Degree


The "certificate" is normally a specialization (or minor) within a master's
degree that requires certain coursework or practicums.  At UVa, for
example, you can get a M.A. in History with a "certificate" in Historic
Preservation.







At 10:27 AM 7/11/2001 -0400, you wrote:
>   Good Morning-   I've seen many posts to the list that  mention a
>"certificate" in Museum Studies. I had never heard of this before. Can
>anyone please explain the difference between a certificate and a degree
>such as  a MA? I'm guessing that the former takes less time to acquire. Do
>many  universities offer a certificate now? Also, do the employers out
>there have an  opinion on the issue when it comes to interviewing and
>hiring a potential new  employee?   Thank you-   Julie Clark Dairy Barn
>Cultural Arts  Center
Darlene Richardson
Historian & Archivist
Virginia Museum of Transportation
303 Norfolk Avenue, SW
Roanoke, VA  24016
Direct Phone #: (540) 767-4642
Fax: (540) 342-6898
mail to: [log in to unmask]

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