New studies certificate being offered in HASS

An area studies certificate in museum studies is now being offered by the College of HASS for USU students.

The certificate is available for students who are interested in studying the field of museum studies and working at museums, said Bonnie Pitblado, assistant professor of anthropology and director of the USU Museum of Anthropology.

“I see the certification program serving students in three possible ways,” Pitblado said. “It will prepare students for graduate programs in museum studies or for paid entry-level positions in museums and for volunteer service, either now or perhaps even much later in life.”

Pitblado said she started the program because of the interest she saw in many of her students. Not only did they want to learn about museums but they were interested in running them as well.

“I perceived a thirst for knowledge about museums on the part of my students, a desire to have our museum serve our students to the most extensive degree possible, on the part of my colleagues, and a very real need for graduates with skills in the field of museums in Utah and beyond,” Pitblado said.

To receive the museum studies certificate, students must complete 24 credits and maintain a 3.0 GPA in the applicable courses.

Students must take six credits in each of the following: core courses, museum administration and object care and exhibition.

“Because programs like this are so rare at the undergraduate level, a student who has a museum studies certificate and applies for a job in a museum will automatically have a major leg up on the majority of applicants, most of which will not have the equivalent background,”

Pitblado said half a dozen students have already expressed interest in receiving a certificate. She said she was surprised and pleased with the response considering it was initially offered only a few months ago.

Holly Andrew, an anthropology major, said she was interested in receiving the certificate because of her interest in museums and the education they provide.

“The reason why I am interested in this certificate is because I love museums and what I learn from them,” Andrew said. “I think that this news program gives any student in any major a unique opportunity to gain a wide variety of experiences, while interactively learning about museums and what you can do with them.”

Applications for the museum studies area studies certificate are available in the HASS Advising Center.

Contact Pitblado at bpitblado@hass.usu.edu for more information.

-ariek@cc.usu.edu