Certificate in Museum Studies Admission Qualifications

Students who wish to apply to the Museum Studies Program Certificate Program must meet one of the following qualifications:

Foreign Candidates:

A candidate from a foreign country must have an appropriate undergraduate degree based on a four-year curriculum (an advanced degree is preferred) and work experience should be such that they provide a relevant foundation for the area(s) of concentration to be pursued during the Certificate program.

An excellent command of the English language is essential. Students from countries where English is not the official language must submit scores from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). The recommended minimum TOEFL score for admission is 550 (paper-based) or 213 (computer-based). In addition, applicants admitted to the Certificate Program will be required to take the English as a Foreign Language (EFL) Placement test at The George Washington University before registering for classes. Should the GWU placement exam indicate the student's language capability is not sufficient to support the desired program of study, the student may be required by the University to take English classes at an additional expense. This can delay the student's progress in completing the Certificate Program. Experience has proven that a student who cannot meet certain minimum language standards is severely handicapped when attempting graduate-level study in a compressed time period. TOEFL scores of at least 600 (paper-based) or 250 (computer-based) normally indicates that a student's performance on the GWU placement exam will permit progress through the Certificate Program without delay.

U.S. Candidates:

A candidate who is a resident of the United States must have at least an advanced degree in a subject relevant to the area(s) of concentration to be pursued during the Certificate Program.

---

Certificate in Museum Studies Admission Procedures

No application is reviewed until it is complete. To be complete, the application must contain:

• A completed and signed GW application form

  Applications can be completed online, or can be downloaded from here.

• A statement of purpose

  On a separate sheet of paper provide additional information about yourself that you think is pertinent to your application. Include such information as past and present employment, honors, publications, teaching or other professional experience, academic objectives, career goals, and other similar matters. This statement is read carefully by the Admissions Committee and is typically 250 – 500 words, but has no set length.

• Two letters of recommendation

  You should request recommendations from individuals who are familiar with your academic and/or work achievements and your potential. Ask each recommender to write a confidential letter in English commenting on your ability to participate in the Museum Studies Program. You may have the letters mailed directly to the Office of Graduate Admissions or you may choose to have the letters submitted electronically using the online GW application. One letter of recommendation should be from a museum supervisor if the student has museum experience either as staff or on a volunteer basis.

• Official or certified copies of academic records from all colleges and universities attended, whether or not the program was completed

  This includes study-abroad and summer-study programs. If academic records are in a language other than English, a certified English translation must be provided. Certification must be by an official government agency or authorized official, such as a notary public.

• All applicants who are from countries in which English is not the official language must submit scores from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL).

• Before admission can be completed, the Financial Certificate citing funding resources must be submitted.

  Funds must be certified in U.S. currency only. You will need copies of your financial documentation to prove to U.S. consular officials that you have sufficient funds to attend GW for the duration of your studies. We suggest, therefore, that you make copies of this and all supporting documents.

• Applicants requiring I-20 or IAP-66 forms for this university for F-1 or J-1 visas must submit all required documents by January 15 for the Fall semester.

• Application fee

  For the current application fee, go to "General Application Requirements" area. Click here to complete the application online.

If not completed online, applications should be typed, if possible, and returned to:

The Columbian College of Arts and Sciences
Office of Graduate Admissions
Phillips Hall, room 107
801 22nd Street, NW
Washington, DC 20052