Valene L. Smith Museum of Anthropology

Museum Studies Program

The Museum Studies Program at CSU, Chico is one of the few museology programs in the United States. The Museum of Anthropology at Chico State was established in 1970 to support the Department of Anthropology’s unique and innovative museum training program.

Today, the Valene L. Smith Museum of Anthropology continues to function as a teaching museum and multifac-eted educational facility where students conceive, research, design, and install exhibits as part of their formal training. Students also gain hands-on experiences in museum studies courses including, collections management, artifact conservation, museum education, and museum administration.

woman works on a display case for the museum
man drills artifacts to the wall
woman looking at an artifact from the bird exhibit

Certificate in Museum Studies

The Certificate in Museum Studies is designed for undergraduate and graduate students attending CSU Chico, wishing to augment the degree in their major area of study.

The Certificate in Museum Studies Program Requirements(opens in new window)

Contact Coordinator to Enroll: William Nitzky

Masters Degree in Anthropology, with an Option in Museum Studies

Students pursuing their Master Degree in Anthropology have an option to concentrate in museum studies in addition to their required four-field anthropology core curriculum, with two required internships and a master’s thesis.

Masters Degree in Anthropology