Offered By	ANU College of Arts and Social Sciences and Research School of Humanities and the Arts
Minimum	48 units
Academic Contact	sally.may@anu.edu.au
Academic Plan	7147XCEH
CRICOS Code	073479A
UAC Code	832094(MLA (Cult and Env Heritage)) 835094(MLA (Cult and Env Heritage))

The Research School of Humanities and the Arts offers a suite of graduate coursework programs in Liberal Arts.  Graduate Certificate, Master, Master (Research), are available, with specialisations in: 

• Museums and Collections 

• Cultural and Environmental Heritage 

• Visual Culture Research 

• Writing, World Histories and Lives

 By undertaking a robust and recognized program in the strongly interrelated areas of cultural heritage, museums, collections, visual and material culture studies, students will be offered the opportunity to capitalise on the Research School of Humanities and the Arts' strong industry connections and partnerships, and to gain first hand experience as well as a deeper understanding of a range of relevant national institutions and professional contexts. 

Courses can be taken toward the award of a named degree in one of the specialised areas, but will also suit Graduate Studies Select students who are interested in undertaking a broader range of courses.

 The Cultural and Environmental Heritage program aims to provide students with the depth of knowledge necessary to engage in cultural and/or environmental heritage-related employment and/or to undertake high-level research within this broad discipline. We offer a range of topics that provide a background to heritage theory and practice, as well as specialist topics that draw upon the expertise of ANU staff and international leaders in different areas of heritage. We provide a global outlook on heritage practice and our program reflects contemporary demands for a more comprehensive approach to heritage concepts.

Who Studies Cultural and Environmental Heritage?

This specialisation is particularly relevant to people who are already working in, or seek to work in, a diverse range of areas relating to heritage. This might include:

• Employees of local, state and Commonwealth Government departments whose works relates to environmental and cultural heritage.
• Archaeologists, anthropologists and related practitioners looking to broaden their expertise in relation to heritage and, in particular, heritage management and conservation.
• University graduates interested in specialising in cultural and/or environmental heritage (this might include graduates of archaeology, anthropology, museum studies, architecture, history etc.).
• Employees of Australian and International cultural institutions where heritage and environment themes are highly relevant.
• Members of the general public with an interest in cultural and/or environmental heritage who want to return to study.
• Employees of National Parks, World Heritage areas, and related organisations including rangers, heritage managers and Indigenous community members.
• Employees of other Indigenous, natural heritage and cultural heritage organisations.

Internships and Professional Programs

Cultural and Environmental Heritage students have the opportunity to learn on the job. Students may undertake up to 12 units of internship, which counts towards their degree and offers an excellent way to gain work experience. Internship courses are offered year-round, in semesters 1 and 2, and summer and winter sessions. The two courses may be taken over two semesters, or more intensively in one or two teaching periods. Students enrolled in the Master of Liberal Arts (Cultural & Environmental Heritage) (Research) also have the opportunity to undertake a more substantial professional development placement that counts toward their final assessment.

Career Opportunities

The Cultural and Environmental Heritage program will equip students to understand the conceptual underpinnings of environment and cultural heritage practice, to recognise the key issues affecting the quality of heritage practice, and to appreciate the complexities of planning and undertaking heritage projects and the issues of managing and presenting the outcomes of heritage to technical and public audiences.  Graduates are well placed to pursue a variety of career options both in government and private practice in the areas of cultural heritage management, land management as well as specialist environmental and heritage advisory services.

Admission Requirements

Admission to the Master of Liberal Arts requires the completion of a four year degree at a recognized University or higher education provider or approved professional experience; OR the completion of the Graduate Certificate in Liberal Arts or equivalent postgraduate degree.

 

This program is part of an integrated "roll-over" program whereby the Master of Liberal Arts may lead into the Master of Liberal Arts (Research) subject to the applicant meeting the appropriate admission criteria. 

Applicants for direct entry to MLA (CEH) should have obtained a four year Bachelor degree either as honours or a combined degree from an approved tertiary education institution, with at least Credit level average grades of 65% or better in courses other than first year courses.  For those with a three year degree, a one year graduate certificate (24 unit) in a relevant field OR in exceptional circumstances, relevant professional experience only Recognized Prior Learning.

For the purpose of admission to the MLA(CEH), the following are considered to be cognate studies:

 

 

• anthropology

• archaeology

• art history

• classics

• history

• museum studies

• cultural studies

• architecture and design

      

If credit for RPL is sought a case must be presented in writing to the program convenor. Relevant a professional experience would most commonly relate to program specialisations in Museums and Collections or Cultural and Environmental Heritage where relevant experience would commonly include paid work in museums, cultural and collecting institutions or heritage sites or employment in a relevant government department or other industry organisation. Individual consultancy work or other professional experiences could also be relevant and will be assessed on a case by case basis by the program convenor according to a professional portfolio submitted by the applicant. 

 

Applications for entry on the basis of RPL only will require submission of a professional portfolio submitted to the program convenor. The portfolio should consist of 

 

(i) a detailed CV. 

 

(ii) a statement about relevant duties undertaken as part of the professional experience. This will include a statement of the number of years of professional experience and the work conducted, as well as a statement by the applicant describing how and why this experience is equivalent to completion of an undergraduate degree in a relevant area. 

 

(iii)  a writing sample of the kind and to the standard that we would expect of graduates of an undergraduate degree. This might include a professional report, professional recommendations or submission, significance assessment, etc. 

 

(iv) two referee's reports that confirm the capacity of the applicant to undertake postgraduate study.

Prerequisites

Applicants for direct entry in the Master of Liberal Arts (Cultural and Environmental Heritage) should have a four year Bachelor degree from an Australian university or overseas equivalent.  Those applicants without an Honours degree can achieve ‘equivalence’ with a 3 year (pass) Bachelor degree and completion of the Graduate Certificate of Liberal Arts (Cultureal and Environmental Heritage).

The information published on the Study at ANU 2011 website applies to the 2011 academic year only. All information provided on this website replaces the information contained in the Study at ANU 2010 website.