Guidelines for Admission

Students currently admitted to a graduate program at the University of Memphis or another university and individuals already holding a graduate degree (MA, MFA, MS, PhD) may apply for admission to the Interdisciplinary Graduate Certificate Program in Museum Studies.

Students already enrolled in a graduate program are required to have a minimum GPA of 3.0 for admission to the Museum Studies certificate program.

Students applying to the University of Memphis, or attending an institution of higher education other than the University of Memphis or who already hold a graduate degree must:

• Apply online for admission to the University of Memphis Graduate School
• Apply to the program in Museum Studies using the Add Program tab. The student's Museum Studies application will include a letter of interest, three letters of reference, and a Recommendation Form sent to each reference by the student (official transcripts are submitted to the University of Memphis Graduate School)

All applications to the museum studies certificate program will be reviewed by the Admissions and Advisory Committee. The Committee may also interview prospective students in order to ensure a good fit between the program and the individual student's needs.

To apply, students must -

1. Be admitted, or currently applying, to the Graduate School of The University of Memphis or another institution of higher education. If the student is in a graduate program outside of the University of Memphis, or already in possession of a graduate degree, the student must apply to the Graduate School and must submit an application to the Certificate Program in Museum Studies as per the instructions given below.

2. Apply online to the Interdisciplinary Graduate Certificate Program in Museum Studies using the CAS WebAdmit portal

   If this is the first time you have visited the online application web site, you will need to Create an Account with a new username and password. Your University of Memphis username and password will not work on this third party vendor web site.
   
   If you have not done so, on the My Application tab, fill out the Personal Information, Academic History, and Supporting Information sections.

3. Choose the Add Program tab to select the Graduate Certificate Program in Museum Studies

   Enter your Student Type from the dropdown menu and click the Search button
   Under Program Level select Certificate and
   Under College/School select College of Communication and Fine Arts
   Select Certificate - Museum Studies from the list

4. Choose the Add Program tab to select the Graduate Certificate Program in Museum Studies

   Enter your Student Type from the dropdown menu and click the Search button
   Under Program Level select Certificate and
   Under College/School select College of Communication and Fine Arts
   Select Certificate - Museum Studies from the list

5. Go back to the My Application tab, click Program Materials, and select Certificate - Museum Studies from the list. This will take you to the Museum Studies Certificate application Home tab

6. The Home tab instructions are currently inaccurate - follow the instructions below until further notice

   1. Letter of interest, written by the student, uploaded on the Documents tab
   2. Request three letters of reference, enter names and contact information on the Recommendations tab
   3. In a separate email, forward a copy of the Recommendation Form available on the Museum Studies web site to each person who has agreed to serve as a referee for your application. Each recommender is required to complete and sign a Recommendation Request Form that they upload attached to their letter of reference. The Recommendation Form may also be e-mailed directly to the program coordinator, Dr. Leslie Luebbers (lluebbrs@memphis.edu).
      
      

7. Select the Documents tab to upload your Letter of Interest

   The letter of interest should describe your reasons for wanting a graduate certificate in the area of museum studies and how the program corresponds with prior experience and anticipated career plans

8. Select the Recommendations tab to enter contact information for your three (3) recommenders

   Etiquette when requesting letters of recommendation.
   You are strongly encouraged to contact each recommender BEFORE beginning the application process.
   Ask if they are willing to write a recommendation in support of your application to the certificate program in Museum Studies.
   
   Let them know you need both the letter of reference and a completed Recommendation Form attached to the letter which must be submitted online by a specific deadline (you can append the form to your email after you enter your name on the top line). Also include some information about the program, a link to the program's web pages, specific points you think are important to your application, and ask if they would like a copy of your CV/resume and/or your letter of interest to review.
   
   Only after they agree to write the letter, should you submit the online recommendation request.

   Complete the online form
   Enter the required information at the top of the page (Recommendation Type, Name, Email Address, and Due Date for the recommendations. Due date for the online recommendation should be at least one month after the date the request is submitted in the CAS system.)

   Enter a brief message in the Personal Message/Notes field addressed to each recommender by name reminding them of your request, outlining pertinent information, and thanking them for writing you a letter. Include the following text in the Personal Message/Notes field:

   "Please download the Recommendation Form from this link, complete all fields, sign, scan, and append a digital copy to your letter of recommendation prior to uploading it into the CAS system. The CAS system will not take the documents separately. If you cannot attach the Recommendation Form to your letter, please email it directly to the Museum Studies Program coordinator, Dr. Leslie Luebbers (lluebbrs@memphis.edu). Thank you!"

   You an also remind each recommender that you already sent a copy of the Recommendation Form to them in your personal email. 

   If the completed Recommendation Form is not sent with the letter, it can be emailed directly to the program coordinator, Dr. Leslie Luebbers (lluebbrs@memphis.edu).

9. Fees - there is a fee to apply to the program.
   
   There is a fee waiver available IF you are applying to more than one program at the University of Memphis and have already paid the application fee for another program. You can receive an application fee coupon code by emailing gradcoupon@memphis.edu.
   
   See https://www.memphis.edu/graduateadmissions/future/apply_grad.php for additional information.
   
   Students already enrolled at the University of Memphis may also request a fee waiver when applying to the Graduate Certificate Program in Museum Studies. Call 901-678-3685 to determine your eligibility. 

10. When your application is complete, select the Submit Application tab on the top menu bar

Deadlines

The Museum Studies Certificate Program evaluates candidates for admission on a rolling basis upon receipt of all application materials.
Note: Click here for information about deadlines for admission to the Graduate School.

Deadlines for Financial Aid applications at The University of Memphis vary. Some deadlines may have passed.

Please check the appropriate links from The Graduate School - Awards and Fellowships web page. As of August 20, 2021 the link says "2020 Fellowship Information," but the page that comes up as 2021 information.

Inquiries may be directed to Dr. Leslie Luebbers, Director of the Art Museum and Coordinator of the Museum Studies certificate program (lluebbrs@memphis.edu)