Museum Studies

Holmes Museum Updated Hours

The Museum is open Fall and Spring semesters, Monday-Friday from 1:00-5:00 or by appointment. During winter break and during the summer, the museum will be open by appointment only. Admission is free but donations are accepted. If you would like to visit or schedule a tour please call 316-978-7068 or email holmes.museum@wichita.edu holmes.museum@wichita.edu.

The Lowell D. Holmes Museum of Anthropology serves as a teaching museum operated by students enrolled in the university's Museum Studies Program, which includes the Museum Studies graduate certificate.

This program gives potential museum professionals hands-on experience in museum administration, operations, and exhibitions. The museum's collections include a wide range of cultural, archaeological, and biological objects. Museum artifacts are not only used within the Department of Anthropology for research, but also by other departments across campus.

Hands-on learning

Students in the museum studies program have the unique opportunity to gain first-hand experience in a teaching museum.

Curation

Students learn what happens to an artifact after it is donated to a museum. They will learn how to manage and care for a variety of objects in a collection. Related courses include Anthropology 606 and the following independent study courses: ANTH 750M, ANTH 597B, ANTH 397AL.

Museum Studies students pose in front of an exhibit they designed

Exhibition

Students learn how to plan, prepare and create a museum exhibition. Related courses include Anthropology 607 and the following independent study courses: ANTH 750M, ANTH 597B, ANTH 397AL.

Education

Students learn how to give tours and present educational programming at the museum and in the classroom. Students may have the opportunity to create educational programs. Related courses include independent study courses, ANTH 750M, ANTH 597B, ANTH 397AL.

A student prepares an artifact for conservation

Preventative Conservation

Students learn what goes in to protecting artifacts and keeping them stable. They will learn about relative temperature and humidity controls, archival storage materials, safe storage and exhibition procedures. Related courses include Anthropology 607, Anthropology 606 and the following independent study courses: ANTH 750M, ANTH 597B, ANTH 397AL.

About the program

The Wichita State University Museums Studies Certificate Program is designed for graduate students and for those who currently work in museums. This is an interdisciplinary program that prepares students for careers in the museum field and will enhance the education and knowledge of those currently working in museums. Drawing on courses from the School of Art and Design and Creative Industries, Anthropology, Public Administration and History, students gain an overview of museum practice including administration, collections, exhibitions, preservation, education and public engagement. This program teaches not only the theory behind museum practices but also gives students an opportunity to receive hands-on experience.

Courses

The program consists of 15 credit hours. To complete with the certificate program, students will take the following management-based courses:

Anthropology 606 – Museum Methods (3)
Anthropology 607 – Museum Exhibition (3)
History 703 – Museum Administration (3)
Public Administration 725 – Human Resource Management in Public and Nonprofit Organizations (3)

Plus 3 hours of practice that include any of the following:

Art History 540A – Concepts in Creative Industries: Planning and Preparatorship (3)
Art History 540B – Concepts in Creative Industries: Research and Interpretation (3)
Art History 540C – Concepts in Creative Industries: Audience and Outreach (3)
Art History 540D – Concepts in Creative Industries: Funding and Promotion (3)
Public Administration 870 – Fundraising and Management (3)
History 519– Introduction to Local History (3)
Internship / Independent Study (3)

Additional information

If you're interested in learning more about the program, fill out the form below and the program coordinator will get in touch with you.

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