Certificate in Museum Studies

About the Program  

The Certificate in Museum Studies (CMS) provides entry-level museum professionals with an understanding of current theories and standards in museum practice. The Program is designed for museum professionals with no formal training and for those looking for further development in an unfamiliar area of museum practice.

The courses in the Certificate in Museum Studies Program build a strong foundation in museum practices and standards and offer an opportunity to network with peers. Courses are delivered throughout the province in a two-day format, hosted by museums and other heritage organizations. Please note:  Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, in-person CMS courses have been postponed; learn more below about online offerings.

The Program is open to any individual; AMA membership is not required. There are no pre-requisites for the Program. To obtain a Certificate in Museum Studies, participants must successfully complete assignments for all eight courses.

Participants have up to eight years to complete the Program. Participants can attend courses without obtaining credit. In this case, assignments are not required. For more details on the Certificate in Museum Studies Program, including course descriptions, please download the CMS Program Information PDF. 

Upcoming Learning Opportunities  

The AMA is currently reviewing the Certificate in Museum Studies Program to update courses to virtual learning opportunities and ensure the curriculum aligns with current standards and issues in the museum sector. The next phase of this review is a series of online pilot courses launching in Fall 2021. Please click here for upcoming learning opportunities.

For more information, please contact learning@museums.ab.ca.

Application Fee 

Apply to the CMS Program

CMS Course Prices

$100          Students
$200          Individual or Institutional Members
                   ($175 per person for more than one participant from the same institution)
$275          Non-Members

Each CMS course is two days in length, and runs from 9:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. each day for a total of 15 hours of training. 

For more information about the Certificate in Museum Studies Program, please contact the Program Lead at learning@museums.ab.ca.

Professional Development Grant

The AMA offers a Professional Development Grant, which provides funding to eligible Individual and Institutional Members as they undertake professional development opportunities. For more information about the Professional Development Grant, please contact the Grants Program Lead at grants@museums.ab.ca.