For Catherine Taylor, pursuing a major in history with a minor in anthropology at the University of Wisconsin-Superior, the new Museum Studies Certificate has provided both academic growth and career opportunities in the museum field.

“I needed an ART 101 class in the fall of 2023 to fulfill requirements and jumped on the Museum Studies Certificate when I saw it,” said Taylor, who is set to graduate this spring. “I have a career goal of working in the museum field, so it fit perfectly.

The Museum Studies Certificate, offered since Spring 2024, consists of two courses: Introduction to Art: Museum Studies I ART 101 (3 credits) and Gallery Practices | ART 302 (3 credits). It prepares students for the evolving field of museum management, administration, conservation and curatorial studies.

Anne Dugan, Curator II in the Visual Arts Department at UW-Superior, emphasized the value of the program.

“Catherine is a perfect example of the curiosity, passion and practical skills this program fosters. She brought fresh perspectives to our readings and demonstrated a unique ability to tell stories in a way that resonates with others.”

The Museum Studies Certificate, through UW-Superior’s Center for Continuing Education, covers global and contemporary art history as well as the design, organization and management of museums. Students learn to think critically about culture and history and present these ideas effectively.

Taylor particularly valued her time working with Dugan.

“She gave me a strong grounding in the history of the field as well as the day-to-day of a major museum like the Museum of Modern Art,” said Taylor

In Fall 2023, Dugan arranged a tour of the Richard I. Bong Veterans Historical Center in Superior, offering students a real-world perspective.

The program also prepares students for roles in emerging technologies and museum communication. Taylor leveraged these newly acquired skills and the tour experience to secure an internship at the Richard I. Bong Veterans Historical Center, where she began with a data entry job before transitioning to curating an exhibit.

The WWII Postal Service Exhibit at the Richard I. Bong Veterans Historical Center showcases the difficult and often dangerous job of being an Army Postal Courier with a focus on Army Captain Clarence Scheibe. Creating the exhibit allowed Taylor the opportunity to put her classroom learning to the test.

“I was constantly having little things that I’d learned in the Museum Studies Certificate classes pop into my head as I worked on a WWII Postal Services Exhibit,” said Taylor. “It helped me feel confident with what I was doing.”

Dugan noted, “Catherine’s enthusiasm and the exhibition she curated inspired her peers. She will undoubtedly make valuable contributions to the museum world.”

Taylor’s story is a perfect example of how the Museum Studies Certificate at UW-Superior is helping students turn classroom learning into real-world impact.

The Museum Studies Certificate will be offered again for the Fall 2025 Semester with Professional Practices | Art 202, to be followed by Gallery Practices | Art 302 offered Spring 2026.