As a field, we are constantly growing and improving. AASLH’s Professional Development offerings are an important part of that growth, connecting you with leaders in the field, proven standards and best practices, and fresh ideas. Our Professional Development offerings, including the Standards and Excellence Program for History Organizations (STEPS), the History Leadership Institute, webinars, online courses, and workshops are designed for busy professional, students, and volunteers. We do everything we can to make it easy for you to fit professional development into your schedule.

STEPS is AASLH’s self-study, self-paced assessment program designed specifically for small- to mid-sized history organizations, including volunteer-run institutions. Through a workbook, online resources, and an online community, the 1,100+ organizations enrolled in STEPS review their policies and practices and benchmark themselves against national museum standards.

STEPS is designed to dovetail with the work you are already doing, like caring for your collections, planning exhibits, and working with a board. The STEPS process helps you evaluate this work and identify your strengths and areas for improvement.

STEPS is a great way for organizations to work up to the American Alliance of Museums’ MAP and Accreditation programs; both programs are part of the museum field’s Continuum of Excellence.

Arcus assists those working or volunteering in the history field to think as entrepreneurs and leaders. Specifically designed for emerging and mid-level professionals and volunteers, Arcus courses help participants understand the most critical topics in the history field and incorporate that understanding into their work. 

The History Leadership Institute (formerly the Seminar for Historical Administration or SHA) is the best professional development opportunity for leaders of history organizations of all types and sizes. Since 1959, it has provided history professionals the tools, ideas, and connections that enhance their ability to lead their institutions and the field.

AASLH webinars and online courses are designed for busy professionals, students, and volunteers. We do everything we can to make it easy for you to fit professional development into your schedule, like flexible online course deadlines and recording all our webinars. All events are open to the public.

AASLH members and STEPS participants get significant discounts on all offerings, and several low-cost webinars are offered each year.

Workshops are one to two day in-person training events. AASLH offers between 3 – 6 workshops every year in various locations around the country. Each workshop offers participants a chance to engage in intensive learning and discussion with faculty and classmates.

The AASLH Resource Center is a collection of resources designed to help you do good history. Here you can register for upcoming professional development events and build your personal library from recent History News issues, Technical Leaflets, recorded webinars, and reports. Keep track of your learning all in one place as you explore by category and resource type.