Masters (Coursework)
The Master of Cultural Heritage and Museum Studies (Professional) allows you to specialise in the areas you want to take your career. You'll develop the knowledge, research skills and practical experience to make a difference in the way communities engage with the past.
Do you have a passion for the past and how it impacts the present?
Cultural heritage and museum studies has been taught at Deakin for over
40-years, making it the largest and longest running program of its kind in Australia. All units are developed and taught by leading academics with industry experience.
Whether you want to create exhibitions, manage a museum or heritage site, safeguard Indigenous cultural heritage or protect and interpret significant objects, buildings, sites and landscapes, you'll have the ability to tailor your studies to these disciplines throughout your masters degree.
During your studies, you'll explore traditions and living examples of culture, and focus on current social, environmental and political concerns.
The core units you'll study are built around these themes and include:
You'll also choose up to four elective units based on your interests and use them to form a specialisation in Collections and Curatorship or Heritage Practice. A specialisation isn't compulsory but can signal to potential employers the type of career you want and your professional interests.
Work-integrated learning is featured throughout the masters, including the Applied Heritage Project unit, which offers a week-long study intensive at sites like the World Heritage listed Port Arthur Historic Site in Tasmania. You can also choose to complete an internship unit where you will undertake a professional work placement with a host organisation in Australia or overseas. This experience will help you develop the skills you need, whether you're changing or progressing your career, gain industry knowledge, and extend your professional network.
Deakin additionally partners with Brandenburg University of Technology (BTU) in Cottbus-Senftenberg, Germany, to deliver a world-class dual award program. This competitive entry dual award is open for selected Master of Cultural Heritage and Museum Studies (Professional) students, opening up overseas study opportunities and valuable professional experience. Dual award students graduate with BTU's Master of World Heritage alongside Deakin masters, highlighting the global reputation of their studies to future employers.
Admission to study postgraduate coursework at Deakin is based on recognition of your professional experience and previous qualifications.
Deakin University offers admission to postgraduate courses through a number of Admission categories.
All applicants must meet the minimum English language requirements.
Please note that meeting the minimum admission requirements does not guarantee selection, which is based on merit, likelihood of success and availability of places in the course.
For more information on the Admission Criteria and Selection (Higher Education Courses) Policy visit the Deakin Policy Library
By researching the past you'll be contributing to making it more accessible in the present, leading to stronger community engagement and a deeper understanding of how cultures have come to be. More than ever, society is seeking a better understanding of the past and to create positive change in the present - something you can be a part of with the expertise you'll develop.
Opening a broad range of roles both locally and abroad, your future roles could include:
Completion of the course can be used as a pathway to a PhD through research training.
For more information go to DeakinTALENT
The Master of Cultural Heritage and Museum Studies (Professional) is 16 credit points.
To qualify for the award of Master of Cultural Heritage and Museum Studies (Professional) a student must successfully complete 16 credits as follows:
The University aims to provide students with as much credit as possible for approved prior study or informal learning which exceeds the normal entrance requirements for the course and is within the constraints of the course regulations. Students are required to complete a minimum of one-third of the course at Deakin University, or four credit points, whichever is the greater. In the case of certificates, including graduate certificates, a minimum of two credit points within the course must be completed at Deakin.
You can also refer to the Recognition of Prior Learning System which outlines the credit that may be granted towards a Deakin University degree and how to apply for credit.