Graduate Certificate in Museum and Heritage Studies

Program Overview

The Graduate Certificate in Museum and Heritage Studies equips students with a strong understanding of museum and heritage theory and practice. Through hands-on learning in collection management, interpretation, and preservation, graduates develop essential skills for careers in museum education, collection management, and heritage site interpretation, and are prepared to engage in current debates about the role of humanities in society.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

The Graduate Certificate in Museum and Heritage Studies aims to provide students with a contextual understanding of core historical and theoretical developments in museum and heritage studies. The program focuses on frameworks for managing collections and sites, developing a practical understanding of interpretation methods used in the museum and heritage sector.

Objectives:

• Gain a contextual understanding of core historical and theoretical developments in museum and heritage studies.
• Develop a practical understanding of the modes of interpretation used in the museum and heritage sector.

Careers:

Graduates of the program will be equipped with the knowledge and skills necessary for modern museum and heritage practice and research. They will be able to:

• Investigate the theory and history of tangible and intangible aspects of cultural heritage.
• Understand the collecting of cultural and natural objects.
• Apply methods of display and interpretation within the evolving nature of the museum as a concept and as an organization.
The program prepares graduates for careers in:
• Museum education
• Public programs administration
• Collection management
• Heritage site interpretation
• Community organizations
• Protected area management agencies
• Indigenous land councils
• Cultural sector in policy and planning
Employers value graduates of this program because they demonstrate:
• Personal and intellectual autonomy
• Strong professional and ethical values
• Ability to engage with current debates about the place of humanities in public life

Other:

• The program is 6 months full-time (available part-time).
• The program requires 24 credit points to complete.
• The University of Sydney has strong academic and professional ties with major institutions in Australia, including:
• Art Gallery of New South Wales
• Australian Museum
• Australian National Maritime Museum
• National Gallery of Australia
• National Museum of Australia
• Powerhouse Museum
• Sydney Living Museums