New classes will be implemented in the fall for The U of M’s new museum certification program. However, no graduate certificate will be issued until the Tennessee Board of Regents approves the proposed program, and the TBR is giving no hint as to when that will be.
According to Mary Morgan, media contact for the TBR, The University’s proposal for the program is “one of over 40 proposals being placed on hold until the Tennessee Higher Education Commission lifts the moratorium it has placed on new programs.”
The moratorium comes as a result of the budget crisis facing Tennessee, and according to Morgan the proposal will be looked at as soon as the moratorium is lifted.
The proposed program has a relatively small budget. The University has requested only $3,000 a year for adjuncts.
“The whole point of this thing is that it’s based on resources we already have,” said Dr. Leslie Leubbers, the U of M Art Museum director. “Essentially, there are no new budget needs for this.” Leubbers is hoping the budget crisis will resolve itself soon.
According to a press release from Communications Services, the 18-hour certification program would consist of two core classes, two internships and two electives. The graduate certificate will be administered by both the College of Arts and Sciences and the College of Communication and Fine Arts.
Pat Purnell, manager of education at the Pink Palace Museum, thinks the program would be beneficial to individuals pursuing a career in a museum.
“There are particular needs and issues particular to museum work that could be covered in the program,” Purnell said. “It is a profession with its own needs and issues.” Purnell has a degree in museum studies from Texas Tech.
The program is open to graduate students or people who have already earned advanced degrees, and covers several areas of museum work, including curators, development, communication and education.
“We want our students to get a broad range of what goes on in any museum,” Leubbers said. “We cover all the museums as well —botanic gardens, zoos, art museums, children’s museums and specialty museums.”
Classes for the program begin next fall.
