Graduate Certificate in Museum and Archive Studies at University of South Dakota

Programme overview

Graduate certificate on the Vermillion campus providing professional training and internship opportunities, which can be embedded in the master's in history so both are completed in two years.

Faculty: College of Arts & Sciences | Department: History | Study mode: full-time | Location: Vermillion, SD, United States

What you will study

Topics include management practices (leadership, organizational behavior, resource development), exhibition development and design, visitor engagement, and museum law and technology; internships are possible at the W. H. Over Museum, University Archives and National Music Museum.

Career pathways

Preservationist in museums, public and private archives or historical organizations.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

University-wide graduate applicants (all USD graduate programmes): a bachelor's degree (B.A., B.S. Some programmes require test scores, letters of recommendation (submitted through the CAS Evaluator Portal; number varies by programme) and a statement of purpose uploaded in GradCAS. International applicants need proof of English proficiency unless holding a degree from an exempt English-speaking country: TOEFL iBT 79, IELTS Academic 6.0, Duolingo English Test 110, PTE 53, TOEFL Essentials 8.5, Cambridge 169, or Trinity ISE 93, plus a resume and passport copy. Application fee $38 (non-refundable).

Requirements published at program group level.

Tuition is charged per credit, so the total depends on the modules you register for each year. Current fees are listed in the official fee schedule.

Entry terms for international applicants: Spring 2027 classes start January 11, 2027 (new student arrival deadline January 10); Fall 2027 classes start August 23 (new student arrival deadline August 20).

Graduate applications go through the USD Graduate Application or GradCAS; Audiology, Speech Language Pathology, Law, Medical, Nursing, Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, Physician Assistant Studies and Social Work use specialty CAS applications. Application deadlines are set per programme in the Graduate Catalog and are due by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Standard Time. The graduate application fee cannot be waived or deferred and is non-refundable.

Law (JD): applications open September 1 for the next year's admission; applicants apply through LSAC CAS and must submit the LSAT, GRE or JD Next. June LSAT scores are accepted for the same year if the application is submitted by July 1. Out-of-state applicants scoring 150+ on the LSAT receive in-state tuition.

Apply through the official page: https://www.usd.edu/Admissions-and-Aid/Apply

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