Upcoming SMP! Courses
Introduction to Museum Endowments (Fall 2025) - Online Course
August 25 - September 21, 2025 | The establishment and management of endowment funds is a key source of institutional income and donor engagement for many museums. Many museum professionals and trustees, however, are less than confident in their understand of the components of endowment funds, and how best to effectively manage such funds for internal and external purposes. This course is designed to introduce students to the structure, benefits, and challenges of endowment fund management, from basic terms and definitions to topics such as impact investing and best practices.
The Academic Museum (Fall 2025) - Online Course
August 25 -October 19, 2025 | AAMG and AASLH have partnered to offer a new course to address the specific needs of museum practitioners at, or collaborating with, college and university museums, galleries, and collections. This course will benefit academic museums and galleries of different types and sizes and is designed for those with limited academic museum experience. We will discuss art, natural history, science, history, and mixed collections, as well as campus relations, fundraising, collections care, loans, finances, donations, working with faculty, hosting students and community connections. The goal of the course is to establish a solid foundation for navigating these and other common campus issues, and give participants positive, useful resources to create a vibrant, engaging space for students and the public.
Collections Management 100 - Collection Development (Fall 2025 - Oct-Dec Session) - Online Course
October 13 - December 7, 2025| In this course, participants will learn about the general principles underlying the idea of being a “collecting organization,” and how collections support the mission of a museum or history organization. Students will explore the purpose of a Collection Management Policy and how it relates to other core museum documents, create the Foundational Statements and Collection Development sections of their collections management policy and operationalize those components using example objects.
Collections Management 100 - Collection Development (Fall 2025) - Online Course
August 25 - October 19, 2025| In this course, participants will learn about the general principles underlying the idea of being a “collecting organization,” and how collections support the mission of a museum or history organization. Students will explore the purpose of a Collection Management Policy and how it relates to other core museum documents, create the Foundational Statements and Collection Development sections of their collections management policy and operationalize those components using example objects.
Leadership and Administration for History Organizations (Fall 2025) - Online Course
September 8 - November 2, 2025 | Leadership and Administration for History Organizations is an AASLH online course. This eight-week course, taught by instructor Anne Ackerson, covers governance and administrative structure, nonprofit status, mission and vision, board and staff responsibilities, the relationship between board and staff, strategic planning, human resource management, and leadership. Successful completion of this course will earn one credit toward the Small Museum Pro! certificate from AASLH.
Project Management for History Professionals (Fall 2025) - Online Course
August 25 - September 21, 2025| Project Management for History Professionals is an AASLH online course. Intended for staff at all levels, this four-week introductory course, taught by instructor Lisa Craig Brisson, helps participants learn, discuss, and practice project management principles for use in their work and at their organization.
Core Issues Briefing Series (Fall 2025)
October 1 - November 5 | Now, more than ever, a constantly evolving landscape is testing the history field. Rather than try to piece together information and tools from disparate sources on topics ranging from workforce challenges to polarization to disaster preparedness, AASLH is now pleased to offer the Critical Issues Briefing Series, a virtual program offering consolidated access to the latest research, insights, and guidance on how to respond to the history sector’s most pressing issues. Join your fellow practitioners for six weeks of once-a-week webinars that will help you strengthen your institution, your staff and volunteers, and your programs and services.
Museum Education and Outreach (Fall 2025) - Online Course
August 25 - October 19, 2025 | Museum Education and Outreach is an AASLH online course. This eight-week course, taught by instructor Bethany Hrachovec, teaches participants how they can facilitate visitors’ meaningful and memorable experiences in the informal environments of museums. Successful completion of this course will earn one credit toward the Small Museum Pro! certificate from AASLH.
