Postgraduate Diploma in Museum Studies

Program Overview

The Massey Postgraduate Diploma in Museum Studies equips graduates to manage museums, galleries, and cultural centers effectively. It focuses on heritage management, bicultural practices, problem-solving, interdisciplinary teamwork, and professional skills development. Graduates are prepared for careers in museums, galleries, cultural centers, and heritage field officer roles. The program offers flexibility for both full-time and part-time study.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

Objectives:

• Prepare graduates to manage museums, galleries, and cultural centers effectively.
• Equip graduates with the skills to maintain heritage collections and deliver high-quality services to communities.
• Bridge the gap between academic studies and professional work in museums and cultural organizations.
• Enhance graduates' knowledge and abilities in heritage management and bicultural practices within the heritage sector.
• Build expertise in problem-solving and working in interdisciplinary teams.

Description:

The Massey Postgraduate Diploma in Museum Studies equips graduates to tackle the challenges faced by contemporary museums, galleries, and indigenous cultural centers in heritage collection management and community service delivery. This program focuses on:

• Heritage management
• Bicultural practices
• Problem-solving
• Interdisciplinary teamwork
• Professional skills development for museums and cultural organizations
This program is ideal for individuals who:
• Enjoy museums, galleries, and indigenous cultural centers
• Possess a passion for heritage
• Seek to be more effective in their work within cultural or heritage organizations

Outline:

Structure:

• Full-time: 1 year (120 credits)
• Part-time: Up to 4 years

Course Schedule:

This program provides flexibility by offering the option to study full-time (1 year) or part-time (up to 4 years). Students can choose their preferred pace of study based on their individual needs and circumstances.

Individual Modules:

Compulsory Course:

• Course Code: 150715
• Course Title: Taonga Tuku Iho: Heritage Aotearoa
• Credits: 30
• Description:
• Examines the dynamics of Māori culture and custom within the context of Aotearoa/New Zealand heritage.
• Emphasizes the importance of land, language, oral tradition, the marae, art, and the Treaty of Waitangi.
• Investigates the role of government in heritage through legislation, policy, and programs.
• Analyzes case studies focusing on conservation, maintenance, sustainability, and revitalization.

Elective Courses (Choose 90 credits from):

• Course Code: 167742
• Course Title: Collection Management
• Credits: 30
• Description:
• Explores museological theory and practice in areas such as material culture, private collecting, preventive conservation, collection management policy and practice, and contemporary collecting issues.
• Examines collection rationalization, contemporary collecting, and the evolving roles of curators and collection managers.
• Course Code: 167743
• Course Title: Museum Management
• Credits: 30
• Description:
• Analyzes museum organization, governance, policy development, strategic planning, marketing, financial management, project management, and personnel management.
• Develops practical skills in budgeting, grant writing, reports, and presentations.
• Course Code: 167744
• Course Title: Museums and the Public
• Credits: 30
• Description:

Careers:

Graduates are typically employed in:

• Museums
• Galleries
• Cultural centers
• Heritage field officer roles

Other:

The program offers flexibility for both full-time and part-time study.