Master of Museum and Heritage Studies

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Entry qualifications Full time or part time study Written Comment Electives Assessment procedures Further information

This full postgraduate degree requires four taught courses, two practicums and a dissertation based on original research. The unique combination of theoretical and applied study at an advanced level prepares graduates for a career in museums, art galleries, and a range of cultural and natural heritage organisations in New Zealand. Taking advantage of Wellington’s rich cultural resources, classes incorporate numerous field trips and input from senior staff of local organisations.

Duration:
2 years full-time or up to 6 years part-time.

Entry qualifications

A Bachelor's degree (with no fewer than 48 points in approved 300-level courses);

OR qualification through extensive practical professional or scholarly experience of an appropriate kind;

OR completion of a GCertMHS

OR completion of a GDipMHS

AND Acceptance as a candidate for the degree

Applications for 2010 are due on Thursday 10th December, 2009. Priority will be given to applicants who meet this deadline. For information on enrolment procedures go to the Apply page on this website.

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Full time or part time study

For full-time students the Master of Museum and Heritage Studies is a two-year course. It is suggested that study should be structured as follows:

Year One:
Three taught courses and practicum
MHST 511 - Introducing Museums & Heritage
MHST 512 - Practicum 1 (including one placement)
MHST 513 - Research Methods
MHST 515 - Exhibiting Māori or MHST 516 Making Meanings: Museums Heritage & Leisure experience

Year Two:
One taught course, advanced practicum, and dissertation
MHST 515 Exhibiting Māori;             
OR MHST 516 Making Meanings: Museums Heritage & Leisure experience;
OR MHST 517 Art Gallery Studies;         
OR MHST 519 Project;                            
MHST 520 -21 Special Topics
AND                 
MHST 514 Practicum 2 (two placements)
MHST 593 Dissertation

It will take part-time students three to four years to complete the degree. An appropriate four year structure would be:

Year One: two taught courses
Year Two: one taught course plus Practicum 1
Year Three: one taught course, advanced practicum and Dissertation begins
Year Four: Dissertation completed.

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Written Comment

With the Postgraduate Enrolment Application Form, applicants should also provide written commentary (about 500 words) on the anticipated value to them of undertaking the MA degree course in Museum and Heritage Studies.  Such comment should refer to a possible thesis topic and methodology.

Candidates for the degree will be expected to choose a thesis topic that has theoretical and/or professional relevance to museum and heritage studies in such fields as:

Art and visual culture

Museum history and theory

Culture and identity       

History and heritage

Education and interpretation  

Māori and Pacific heritage

Exhibitions and collections        

Design and Display

Audience and visitor research       

Historic sites and buildings

Enrolment Procedures

For information on enrolment procedures go to the Apply page on this website.

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Assessment Procedures

Museum & Heritage Studies courses are all internally assessed. The assessment procedures vary from academic written work (reviews and essays), to oral presentations (seminars, proposals and pitches) and practical projects (exhibitions/surveys/reports and other professional workplace based projects).

MHST 511 has three essays and a research seminar & report; MHST 512 (pass fail rather than graded) requires the successful completion of one seminar presentation, one assignment, and one 200 hour placement and written report; MHST 513 similarly involves three assignments, the final one being a detailed research proposal which is intended to provide students with the opportunity of developing ideas for the thesis or research paper they will undertake in their second year; and MHST 514 requires the successful completion of two 200 hour placements.

For both MHST 512 Practicum 1 and MHST 514 Practicum 2, assessment will also be based on an evaluation of the results of each placement measured against a series of personal and professional objectives developed by each student. Detailed performance indicators covering learning objectives such as these will be developed as part of a placement brief which represents a form of contract between the academic supervisor, the student and the placement supervisor in the host agency.

The assessment for the GCertMHS and the GDipMHS consists of the procedures already in place for the teaching of these courses within the MMHS. These are:

• MHST 511
• MHST 512
• One approved elective course
• MHST 518 requires the completion of a 10,000 word essay to be assessed by an examiner appointed by the programme director.
• MHST 519 requires a written proposal worth 20%, a presentation and pitch worth 20% the delivery of the final project worth 50%, and an evaluation worth 10%.

Postgraduate research supervision

Academic Board requires all supervisors to provide 6-monthly written reports on students enrolled in Masters by thesis and PhD courses. These reports are expected to identify what has been achieved, outline agreed timetables for future work and identify any problems with a student’s performance that require to be rectified. Copies of the formal written reports are provided to the student, the School’s postgraduate co-ordinator and relevant Student Administration Advisers.

Theses are prepared and written in close consultation with a staff member who acts as supervisor. Research students are expected to participate in and contribute to research-in-progress seminars organised from time to time by the School.

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Further information

Initial Discussion

Enrolments will be limited and people intending to apply for admission are strongly advised to discuss the course well in advance with the Programme Director.

Student with disabilities

The university has a policy of reasonable accommodation of the needs of students with disabilities in examinations and other assessment procedures. To make appropriate arrangements, contact the Programme Director or VUW's Disability Support Services, or contact Ava Gibson: Disability@vuw.ac.nz

Insurance

Students with concerns about insurance, especially relating to professional indemnity while in field work and practical placements, should seek advice from the Programme Director.

Further study

Successful completion of the Master of Museum and Heritage Studies may provide a basis for subsequent study and research leading to the degree of PhD.

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