Within every object is a story, waiting to be told. Our job is to connect the two.

Our understanding of history, of cultures and the people who create them, often comes from their traditions, stories, documents and objects. Preserving and interpreting the stories within the cultural production of diverse communities, and connecting those stories with people is what makes history relevant today. The Professional Specialization Certificate in Collections Management gives you the skills you need to develop, manage and bring meaning to cultural collections.

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Program description

The Professional Specialization Certificate in Collections Management program provides museum professionals with a highly respected credential along with applicable knowledge and skills, in an innovative and flexible format that will suit both professional development needs and a busy work schedule.

Program features

  • Focused Programming: Four courses - three core courses and one elective, which can be completed in under a year.
  • Flexibility: Can be completed entirely online; some face-to-face short immersion elective course options also available.
  • Professional Networking: Study with other collections management specialists from across Canada and beyond, led by instructors who are experts in their field.

Program outcomes

Upon completion of this program, graduates should:

  1. Have developed a critical understanding of current principles, practices, and current debates in the field of collections management;
  2. Apply course learning and training to function within a professional collections management context;
  3. Identify and apply discipline-specific practices that contribute to the local and global community through social responsibility and stewardship.

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Through the StrongerBC future skills grant, students may be eligible to receive funding for this program. View details and eligibility

Program partners

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Faculty of Fine Arts, Department of Art History and Visual Studies


As well as various community partners and organizations.

Who is this program for?

The Collections Management program is designed for museum professionals seeking new approaches to their work or looking to upgrade their skills. Students in this program work in a broad range of museum and heritage professions, some of which include:

  • collections assistants
  • collections managers
  • conservators
  • curators
  • archivists

Career options

Some of our learners pursue careers in the following roles:
  • Collections Manager
  • Conservator
  • Collections Assistant
  • Archivist
  • Curator

Instructors

News and resources

Courses and fees

To earn the certificate you must successfully complete six units of academic credit (four courses) with online or on-campus course work chosen from our program curriculum. 

= Courses open for registration

Program planning

A different selection of courses are offered every term. To see our upcoming offerings, please view our anticipated course schedule. Please note that each course will have specific prerequisites/requirements. Please review the course descriptions to assist in your program planning and allow you to be fully informed about any specific requirements for individual courses.

Estimated fees

Description Fee
Program application fee $100.00
Three required courses $2,351.22
One elective course $783.74
Estimated Total $3,234.96*
*IMPORTANT NOTE:
Fees listed in this section are an estimate. Total program fees may vary depending on delivery format, course selections, student fees, textbooks and taxes.

Explore financial support options on the Awards, scholarships and bursaries page.

Deposit/withdrawal fee policy for face-to-face courses only:

All requests to withdraw from a course should be sent in writing to cmpasst@uvic.ca. Please include your name, your student number, and the course name or number.

  • Non-credit tuition fees will be fully refundable if you withdraw prior to the course Registration Deadline noted on your receipt. Any withdrawal following that date will be assessed a minimum $100.00 administrative fee.
  • Credit students are required to pay a deposit of $100 at the time of registration  to the Division of Continuing Studies. This deposit will be refunded following the second day of the face-to-face class, so long as the student has not withdrawn. In addition to this fee, regular UVic fee reduction deadlines listed in the University of Victoria Calendar apply. Full tuition and student fees for credit students continue to be payable to UVic Accounting.

Application information

Admission requirements

To be admissible to the Certificate in Collections Management, applicants must normally:

  • hold a bachelor's degree or its equivalent
  • be admissible (or already admitted) to UVic
  • have a minimum of two years of related professional experience in the sector

How to apply

Step one: apply to the program on our website by clicking the “apply online” button. There is a $100 application fee that will only be debited if you are accepted to the program.

  • we encourage you to submit your CV by emailing a copy to our Program Assistant, Irene Lo, at cmpasst@uvic.ca

Step two: once you hear back from the office, you must also apply and be accepted as an undergraduate or returning student at the University of Victoria. If you haven’t already done so, please complete the My UVic online application. 

  • For Program of Study, from the drop-down menus, select: Faculty > Fine Arts and Degree Type > Certificate.
  • Select your entry term in the term you will be registering. Please be aware that if you do not register in a course during your entry term, your UVic application will be cancelled and you will need to re-apply.
  • Submit one copy of your official transcripts to the University Admissions office as well. If possible, please notify our Program Assistant when you have ordered the transcripts so we can alert the admissions staff.

Please be aware that you can register for our courses before your application is approved. 

StrongerBC future skills grant

This program is eligible for the StrongerBC future skills grant. To register using this grant please review the eligibility, registration details and funding dates.

Application dates

Starting in
January 2025
Availability
Accepting Applications
Apply by
Nov. 1, 2024
Apply online Contact us for more info
Starting in
May 2025
Availability
Accepting Applications
Apply by
March 1, 2025
Apply online Contact us for more info
Starting in
September 2025
Availability
Accepting Applications
Apply by
Ongoing
Apply online Contact us for more info