Museum Studies

Coursework

The Museum Studies course encompasses the study of museums, museology, and the development of the knowledge and skills necessary for museum practice and research. The course provides a uniquely enriching experience; investigating the theory and history of collecting material things, their display and interpretation, intangible cultural heritage and the changing nature of the museum as a concept and as an organisation.

As such, our Museum Studies degree offers you an academic and vocational learning program sourced from a wide range of disciplinary fields. These include history, art history, archaeology, anthropology, sociology, cultural studies, architecture, natural history and environmental studies.

The program has extensive professional and research links, and contributes critically to changes in museology and museums. These professional networks also mean that the program is able to place a consistently high percentage of its graduates into museums and museum-related employment.

The Master of Museum Studies and Graduate Diploma in Museum Studies are also offered in block mode intensive sessions at the University of Hong Kong in partnership with the HKU School of Professional and Continuing Education (SPACE). The Hong Kong program will end in mid-2013 and is not taking new enrolments in 2013.

Research

The research programs involve independent research work and the preparation of a thesis under the supervision of the Director of the program, and other academic staff in the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. These research programs will specifically cater for research students interested in the role of the museum in social change; museum history and museology; museums and public culture as well as museums and the politics of representation.

Museum Studies currently attracts students from disciplines including History, Anthropology, Archaeology, Education and Art History and Theory. Research in Museum Studies is, however, rarely confined to any one of these disciplines.

Contact
Website: sydney.edu.au/arts/museum/

Dr Chiara O’Reilly
Phone: + 61 2 9351 4256
Email:

Awards and Requirements

Requirements
Please refer to the degree resolutions in this Handbook for information on the specific admission requirements for different award courses. sydney.edu.au/handbooks/arts_PG/coursework/masters/museum_studies.shtml

Refer to the Table of Units of Study for list of electives and units on offer for the year. sydney.edu.au/handbooks/arts_PG/coursework/units_of_study/tables.shtml

Graduate Certificate in Museum Studies
Candidates for the Graduate Certificate in Museum Studies are required to complete 24 credit points, including 6 credit points of core units of study and 18 credit points of elective units of study.

Graduate Diploma in Museum Studies
Candidates for the Graduate Diploma in Museum Studies are required to complete 36 credit points, including 18 credit points of core units of study and 18 credit points of elective units of study.

Master of Museum Studies
Candidates for the Master of Museum Studies are required to complete 48 credit points, including 18 credit points of core units of study and 30 credit points of elective units of study.

Master of Letters
Candidates for the Master of Letters (Museum Studies) must complete the two treatise units of study (24 credit points) listed for the course.

Requirements
Please refer to the degree resolutions in this Handbook and to the ‘Faculty Admissions Policy and Procedure for: Doctor of Philosophy: Pathways to admission’, for information on the specific admission requirements for different research award courses. sydney.edu.au/handbooks/arts_PG/research/phd.shtml

Master of Arts (Research)
Doctor of Arts and Doctor of Social Sciences
Master of Philosophy
Doctor of Philosophy