Master of Cultural Heritage

2019 Deakin University Handbook

Note: You are seeing the 2019 view of this course information. These details may no longer be current. [Go to the current version]
Year

2019 course information

Award granted Master of Cultural Heritage
Course Map

This course map is for new students commencing from Trimester 1 2019.

This course map is for new students commencing from Trimester 2 2019.

Course maps for commencement in previous years are available on the Course Maps webpage or please contact a Student Adviser.

CampusOffered at Burwood (Melbourne)
Cloud CampusYes
Duration

Depending on your professional experience and previous qualifications, the Master of Cultural Heritage is typically 1, 1.5 or 2 years duration.

  • 1 year full time (2 years part time) – 8 credit points
  • 1.5  years full time (3 years part time) – 12 credit points
  • 2 years full time (4 years part time) – 16 credit points

Deakin courses can also be studied part time over a longer period.

CRICOS course code084543G Burwood (Melbourne)
Deakin course codeA787
Approval statusThis course is approved by the University under the Higher Education Standards Framework.
Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) recognition

The award conferred upon completion is recognised in the Australian Qualifications Framework at Level 9.

Course sub-headings

Course overview

Develop the knowledge, research skills and practical experience to make a difference in the cultural heritage sector. Whether you want to work with collections, manage a museum or heritage site, or protect and interpret significant sites, landscapes or intangible cultural heritage, specific pathways through the Masters mean you can create a program that is right for you.

Through this program, you’ll develop an extensive, cross-disciplinary knowledge of heritage principles and practice across many disciplines.

Whether you’re a mid-career professional consolidating your practical experience, looking for a change in career, or a recent graduate who’d like to work in museums or heritage organisations, Deakin’s Master in Cultural Heritage provides a pathway into employment in this diverse and exciting field.

Career opportunities

This course provides an integrated approach for those working in government agencies, private corporations, community organisations and in private practice in a range of professions. Typical job titles include: heritage officer, heritage site or museum manager, interpretation officer, registrar, curator, public programs officer, researcher, and project officer.

The course also offers a PhD pathway for those students without an undergraduate Honours degree.  See option 1 below.

For more information go to DeakinTALENT

Participation requirements

Reasonable adjustments to participation and other course requirements will be made for students with a disability. Click here for more information.

Mandatory student checks

Any unit which contains work integrated learning, a community placement or interaction with the community may require a police check, Working with Children Check or other check.

Alternative exits

Research information

Students will undertake research training and complete a research project in one of the three following options:

  • one credit point of research training in research design, and a one credit point research project;
  • one credit point of research training in research design and methods (qualitative or quantitative), and a two credit point research project; or
  • two credit points of research training in research design and methods (qualitative or quantitative), and a four credit point research project developed in consultation with a supervisor from the relevant discipline

Fees and charges

Fees and charges vary depending on your course, your fee category and the year you started. To find out about the fees and charges that apply to you, visit the Current students fees website.

Course Learning Outcomes

Deakin Graduate Learning Outcomes

Course Learning Outcomes

Discipline specific knowledge and capabilities

Understand, investigate 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 the identification, conservation, interpretation, management and use. 

Communication

Effectively communicate the findings and analysis of cultural heritage concepts, theories and applied knowledge, in written, digital and oral formats to specialist and non-specialist audiences 

Digital literacy

Use a range of generic and specialist cultural heritage digital technologies and information sources to discover, select, analyse, employ, evaluate, and disseminate technical and non-technical information and research outcomes. 

Critical thinking

Critically reflect on, analyse, evaluate and synthesise key concepts in the identification, conservation, interpretation, management and use of cultural heritage.

Apply expert knowledge of, and, technical and creative skills in cultural heritage to evaluate issues and problems in professional practice and scholarship

Problem solving

Apply expert knowledge to critical analyse, and develop innovative and creative solutions to real-world and ill-defined problems or issues in the identification, conservation, interpretation, management and use of cultural heritage.  

Self-management

Apply knowledge and skills in creative ways to new situations in professional practice and/or further learning in the field of Cultural Heritage with adaptability, autonomy, responsibility and personal accountability for actions as a critically self-reflexive practitioner and learner. 

Teamwork

Apply the principles of effective team work as a member and/or leader of diverse teams. 

Global citizenship

Analyse and address Cultural Heritage issues in the domestic, regional and global context as a critically reflexive scholar and practitioner, taking into consideration cultural and socio-economic diversity, social and environmental responsibility and the application of the highest ethical standards. 

Approved by Faculty Board 2015

 

Course rules

The Master of Cultural Heritage is typically 8, 12 or 16 credit points.

The exact number of credit points you study depends on how much credit you receive as recognition of prior learning (RPL) – your professional experience and previous qualifications – which can save you time and money

To qualify for the Master of Cultural Heritage, students must successfully complete the following:

  • AAI018 Academic Integrity (0-credit-point compulsory unit)
  • 6 core units
  • 10 credit points of study combining research and elective units

Course structure

Core units

AIM708World Heritage and International Heritage Practice

AIM709Intangible Heritage

AIM723Heritage Interpretation

AIM734Understanding Significance

AIM735Leadership in Museums and Heritage Organisations

AIM736Museums, Heritage and Society

Course structure

Research

The 10 credit points of study combining research and elective units can be attained in one of the following configurations:

  • Option 1: Dissertation
    • 2 credit points of research training (AIX706, plus one of AIX707 or AIX708)
    • 4 credit point independent research project (AIX702, AIX703)
    • 4 credit points of Cultural Heritage and Museum Studies electives
  • Option 2: Research Paper
    • 1 credit point of research training (AIX706)
    • 2 credit point independent research project (AIX704 and AIX705)
    • 7 credit points of Cultural Heritage and Museum Studies electives
  • Option 3: Research Project
    • 1 credit point of research training (AIX706)
    • 8 credit points of Cultural Heritage and Museum Studies electives
    • 1 credit point independent research project (AIX701)

Research units

AIX701Research Project

AIX702Dissertation A

AIX703Dissertation B

AIX704Research Paper A

AIX705Research Paper B

AIX706Research Design

AIX707Qualitative Research

AIX708Quantitative Research

Course structure

Electives

AIM703Introduction to Heritage Planning

AIM704Heritage, Development and Tourism in the Asia-Pacific Region

AIM705Conservation Management Planning

AIM714Cultural Landscapes

AIM715Virtual Heritage

AIM717Heritage in the Field

AIM722Collections and Curatorship

AIM727Exhibitions

AIM733Applied Heritage Project

2 credit points of the electives may be selected from other Deakin postgraduate units with the approval of the course director.

Work experience

Elective units may provide the opportunity for Work Integrated Learning experiences.


Other course information

Course duration - additional information

Course duration may be affected by delays in completing course requirements, such as accessing or completing work placements.

Other learning experiences

There are options for WIL and study tours across many of the SHSS courses.

Research and research-related study

Independent research components are embedded across a number of units.