ObjectivesThe Graduate Diploma of Museum Studies will provide you with the diverse skills and developed knowledge base appropriate to multiskilled work in all kinds of museums. This course gives you access to more subjects in museum studies than the related Graduate Certificate, and consequently is highly regarded as a professional qualification. The Museum Studies program will help you to become an independent, innovative and creative thinker; have a commitment to reflective practice in museums; have an understanding of best practice standards in museum work; competently undertake a range of museological techniques; demonstrate ethical leadership in your chosen field of museum activity; and have a commitment to continuous improvement. Successful completion of the Graduate Diploma of Museum Studies will lead you to admission to the Master of Cultural Heritage.
Entry requirementsTo be eligible for admission into the Graduate Diploma of Museum Studies applicants require: * a bachelor degree from an approved tertiary institution; or * qualifications deemed to be equivalent
Academic titleGraduate Diploma of Museum Studies
Course descriptionFees and charges
Equivalent Full Time Student Load (EFTSL)
EFTSL is the standard annual full time load. Eight credit points is the standard full time load for one year of study.
Fee paying place - Domestic (DFP)
A Fee paying place is one for which the university does not receive any government funding. As such, students enrolled in these places are required to contribute the full cost of their course.
Fee paying places are available to domestic students. Domestic students are those who are Australian citizens, New Zealand citizens or holders of a permanent visa.
*Indicative course fees should be used as a guide only. Deakin University assumes no responsibility for persons relying on indicative course fees to calculate the total future cost of their course. The indicative course fee is an estimate based on a typical enrolment a student may have for their first year of study in 2009 for their course. The indicative course fee is based on historical first year enrolments within the course, reflecting the discipline cluster of the units which may be studied within the course. The actual fees charged will depend on the individual units chosen. The cost of each unit can be viewed at http://www.deakin.edu.au/current-students/handbooks2009/search.php. Please note that the fees per unit/credit point may increase annually due to rises in the cost of course delivery and services.
Career opportunities
Graduates may find employment as practitioners in museums, heritage institutions, government agencies, private corporations, community organisations and in private practice. Typical job titles include: curator, heritage officer, collections manager, registrar, public programs officer, researcher and project officer.
Course rules
To qualify for the Graduate Diploma of Museum Studies, a student must successfully complete 8 credit points of study comprising:
* 3 credit points of core units; and
* 5 credit points of electives selected from the specified list of units below
Course structure
Core units
Trimester 1
AIM721 Museums: Context and Issues
AIM723 Heritage Interpretation
Trimester 2
AIM722 Collections and Movable Cultural Heritage
The 5 elective credit points give students the chance to extend their knowledge in ways that are relevant to their own learning goals. Students may select their electives from the specified list of AIM-coded units, or (with relevant approvals) from any other appropriate postgraduate units.
Note: Students can gain relevant international experience through AIM717.
Trimester 1
AIM701 Heritage and Development in the Asia-Pacific Region
AIM705 Architectural Conservation Practice
AIM707 Building Conservation Techniques *
AIM709 Intangible Heritage
AIM725 Museums: Strategies and Marketing *
AIM726 Museums: Operational Issues
Trimester 2
AIM703 Heritage Law, Planning and the Property Market
AIM704 Heritage and Sustainable Cultural Tourism
AIM708 World Heritage
AIM710 Shared Heritage: Issues and Perspectives
AIM714 Cultural Landscapes
AIM716 Heritage and the City
AIM727 Exhibitions
Trimester 1 or trimester 2
AIM712 Cultural Heritage Research
Trimester 1 or trimester 2 or trimester 3
AIM713 Cultural Heritage Research Project **
AIM717 Heritage in the Field
* Not offered in 2009, offered 2010
** Trimester 1 not available 2009, available 2010
Admission requirements - general
Deakin University offers admission to postgraduate courses through a number of Admission categories.
In all categories of admission, selection is based primarily on academic merit as indicated by an applicant's previous academic record.
For more information on the Deakin Admissions Policy visit The Guide
Admission requirements - specific
To be eligible for admission into the Graduate Diploma of Museum Studies applicants require:
* a bachelor degree from an approved tertiary institution; or
* qualifications deemed to be equivalent
Advanced standing - general
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 Advanced Standing System which outlines the credit that may be granted towards a Deakin University degree.
Advanced standing - specific
Applications for advanced standing will be considered depending on the quality and subject matter of the student's prior qualifications and professional experience .
The Graduate Certificates of Cultural Heritage and Museum Studies along with the Graduate Diplomas of Cultural Heritage and Museum Studies and Master of Cultural Heritage comprise a suite of fully articulated courses. Successful completion of a Graduate Certificate will lead to admission into either the relevant Graduate Diploma or the Master of Cultural Heritage with up to 4 credit points of advanced standing. Successful completion of a Graduate Diploma will lead to admission into the Master of Cultural Heritage with up to 8 credit points of advanced standing.