Certificate in Museum Teaching & Learning

The Penn Museum Certificate in Museum Teaching and Learning is designed for Penn graduate students who want to incorporate object-based, gallery-based, and observational learning into their teaching pedagogy. The certificate program is open to Penn graduate students from any discipline, and trains students on developing inquiry-based discussions, engaging with objects in the classroom, and approaching complicated questions in museum teaching, including colonialism, objectification, and ownership.

Certificate Requirements

• Attend the “Intro to Object-Based Learning” workshop (offered each Fall).
• Attend 3 additional workshops.
• Participate in one “Observation Day” in the Fall OR Spring.
  • Create a 10 minute gallery-based or object-based demonstration and receive feedback.
  • To register for an observation day, please email Charlotte Williams (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.) and Sarah Linn (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.). Please include 1-3 objects you would like to use for your demonstration.
• Complete a short teaching statement of 250 words

The certificate may be completed in one year or over multiple years. However, all requirements must be completed before May 10th in order to receive a certificate at the end of the spring semester for the academic year during which you intend to complete the certificate.

Interested students should fill out this interest form to receive emails about workshops and other opportunities. Questions can be directed to the Academic Engagement Department at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

2022 MTL Certificate Recipients

• Alex Chen, Anthropology
• Chelsea Cohen, Anthropology
• Janessa Reeves, Art and Archaeology of the Mediterranean World
• Charlotte Williams, Anthropology