Master of Cultural Heritage and Museum Studies (Professional)
2027 Deakin University Handbook
| Year | 2027 course information |
|---|---|
| Award granted | Master of Cultural Heritage and Museum Studies (Professional) |
| Deakin course code | A768I |
| Course credit points | 16 |
| Course version | 1 |
| Faculty | Faculty of Arts and Education |
| Course information | For students who commenced from 2021 to 2026 |
| Campus | Offered to continuing students only. |
| Final intake | The final intake to this course was in Trimester 1, 2026. Students should contact Student Central for course, course map and enrolment information. Further course structure information can be found in the handbook archive. |
| Duration | 2 years full-time or part-time equivalent |
| CRICOS code | 102878H Burwood (Melbourne) |
Course sub-headings
Alternative exits
| Graduate Certificate of Cultural Heritage and Museum Studies (A568) | |
| Graduate Diploma of Museum Studies (A668) |
Course learning outcomes
| Course Learning Outcomes |
|---|
| Research and critically reflect on the diverse tangible and intangible manifestations of social memory as expressed in places and sites, objects, traditional practices and beliefs on a personal and collective level and evaluate different conceptual and practical approaches to its identification, collection, conservation, interpretation, display, management and use. Assess the role of cultural heritage in the context of modern organisations and society in order to add value |
| Effectively communicate the findings and analysis of cultural heritage and museum studies concepts, theories and applied knowledge, in written, digital and oral formats to specialist and non-specialist audiences. |
| Use a range of generic and specialist cultural heritage and museum studies digital technologies and information sources to research, select, analyse, employ, evaluate, and disseminate technical and non-technical information and research outcomes. |
| Critically reflect on, research, analyse, evaluate and synthesise key concepts in the identification, collection, conservation, display, interpretation, management, and use of cultural heritage. Apply expert knowledge of, and, technical and creative skills in cultural heritage within organisational and societal contexts to evaluate issues and problems in professional practice and scholarship |
| Apply expert knowledge to critically analyse, and develop innovative and independently and collaboratively creative solutions to real-world and ill-defined problems or issues in the identification, collection, conservation, display, interpretation, management and use of cultural heritage. |
| Apply critical reflection and use frameworks of self evaluation to develop independent judgment, adaptability and responsibility for expert professional practice and / or scholarship. |
| Apply the principles of effective team work as a reflective team member and/or leader of diverse cultural heritage and museum teams in order to support the team in achieving designated goals. |
| Engage ethically and professionally when working in a variety of cultural heritage and museum studies situations through concern for legal, economic, environmental and social risks both nationally and globally |
Approved at Faculty Board 2020
Note – From 2026, Deakin commenced introducing Graduate Attributes (GAs), which define the distinctive characteristics of a Deakin graduate. You may notice some courses still refer to Graduate Learning Outcomes (GLOs) during this transition period.
Course rules
To complete the Master of Cultural Heritage and Museum Studies (Professional) you must pass 16 credit points. This includes:
- DAI001 Academic Integrity and Respect at Deakin (0-credit-point compulsory unit) in your first study period
- 7 credit points of core units
- 9 credit points of study from the following:
- one pathway option
- Minor Thesis - PhD Pathway
- Research Paper - non PhD Pathway
- Professional Experience - non PhD Pathway
- one pathway option
- any remaining credit points can be chosen from course electives (course electives may be used to form a specialisation)
Most units are equal to one credit point. As a full-time student you will study four credit points per trimester and usually undertake two trimesters per year.
Students are required to meet the University's academic progress and conduct requirements.
Course structure
Core units
Compulsory 0-credit point module
To be completed in the first trimester of study:
| DAI001 | Academic Integrity and Respect at Deakin |
Units
| AIM708 | World Heritage |
| AIM709 | Intangible Cultural Heritage |
| AIM715 | Digital Interpretation |
| AIM720 | Sustainability and Human Rights in Heritage and Museums |
| AIM736 | Museums, Heritage and Society |
| AIM733 | Applied Heritage Project * |
| APE700 | Internship A |
*Trimester 3 study required
Pathways
Minor Thesis - PhD Pathway
| AIX706 | Research Design |
Plus 2 credit points of research units:
| AIX704 | Minor Thesis A |
| AIX705 | Minor Thesis B |
Plus 6 credit points chosen from course electives, including up to 3 open electives as agreed with the course director.
Research Paper – non PhD Pathway^
| AIX701 | Research Paper |
Plus 8 credit points chosen from course electives, including up to 3 open electives as agreed with the course director.
Professional Experience – non PhD Pathway^
| APE701 | Internship Capstone (2 credit points) |
Plus 7 credit points chosen from course electives, including up to 3 open electives as agreed with the course director.
^ The Research Paper and Professional Experience options are not PhD Pathways.
Electives
| AIM703 | Heritage Practice: Conservation and Managing Change |
| AIM705 | Heritage Practice: Fundamentals |
| AIM719 | Cultural Heritage and Museum Practice |
| AIM722 | Managing Collections |
| AIM727 | Developing Exhibitions |
| AIX706 | Research Design |
3 credit points of the electives may be selected from other Deakin postgraduate units with the approval of the course director.
Course duration
You may be able to study available units in the optional third trimester to fast-track your degree, however your course duration may be extended if there are delays in meeting course requirements, such as completing a placement.
Fees and charges
Tuition fees will vary depending on the type of fee place you hold, your course, your commencement year, the units you choose to study, your study load and/or unit discipline.
Your tuition fees will increase annually at the start of each calendar year. All fees quoted are in Australian dollars ($AUD) and do not include additional costs such as textbooks, computer equipment or software, other equipment, mandatory checks, travel, consumables and other costs.
For further information regarding tuition fees, other fees and charges, invoice due dates, withdrawal dates, payment methods visit our Current students website.