Master of Art Curatorship (Coursework and Minor Thesis)

The coursework masters provides specialist training and a professional qualification for graduates who are working, or seeking to work in the field, and may also be taken for general interest. This course does not necessarily lead to higher degree study, however high achieving students who complete the thesis option may qualify for entry to a masters by research or PhD.

Students who complete the masters will have a good understanding of:

• the role of the visual arts in Australia as reflected by professional networks, funding bodies, and government departments/agencies at national, state and local level;
• the changing role of art museums/galleries in society and the history of collecting;
• the current discourse associated with issues of access, education and funding within art museums and cultural institutions;
• the organisational structure of a collecting institution and the various responsibilities and tasks of its personnel;
• art conservation theory and practice and its role in storage, transportation, display and interpretation of art objects;
• the principles and procedures of cataloguing and presenting art objects in an art museum;
• Students will also have acquired advanced skills in researching and writing on art objects.

200 point program

• seven compulsory subjects (87.5 points)
• elective subjects (112.5 points)

• seven compulsory subjects (87.5 points)
• completion of thesis at level 500 (37.5 points)
• a maximum of 75 points of electives

Total 200 points - subjects are 12.5 points each, unless indicated otherwise.

150 point program

Duration: 1.5 years full-time / up to 3 years part-time

• seven compulsory subjects (87.5 points)
• elective subjects (62.5 points)

Or if choosing the thesis option:

• seven compulsory subjects (87.5 points)
• completion of thesis at level 500 (37.5 points)
• elective subjects (25 points)

Total 150 points - subjects are 12.5 points each, unless indicated otherwise.

100 point program

• seven compulsory subjects (87.5 points)
• a maximum of 1 elective subject (12.5 points)

Total 100 points - subjects are 12.5 points each, unless indicated otherwise.

For policies that govern this degree, see Academic Services Policy in the University Melbourne Policy Framework. Students also should also refer to information in the Student Policy Directory.

200 point program

Duration: 2 years full-time / up to 4 years part-time

Compulsory subjects

Elective subjects

1. The Selection Committee will evaluate the applicant's ability to successfully pursue the course using the following criteria -

• an undergraduate degree in a cognate discipline with at least H2B (70%) average, or equivalent.

2. The Selection Committee may conduct interviews and tests and may call for referee reports or employer references to elucidate any of the matters referred to above.

For the 150 point program

1. The Selection Committee will evaluate the applicant's ability to successfully pursue the course using the following criteria -

• an undergraduate degree in a cognate discipline with a grade average of at least H2B (70%) in the relevant subjects, and a Postgraduate Certificate in Art History, or equivalent;
• an undergraduate degree in a cognate discipline with a grade average of at least H2B (70%) in the relevant subjects and at least one year of documented, relevant work experience, or equivalent; or
• an honours degree in a related discipline with at least H2B (70%), or equivalent.

2. The Selection Committee may conduct interviews or tests and may call for referee reports and employer references to elucidate any of the matters referred to above.

For the 100 point program

• an Honours degree in a cognate discipline; or
• an undergraduate degree in a cognate discipline with at least H2B (70%) average, or equivalent, and at least two years documented relevant work and/or professional experience.

2. The Selection Committee may conduct interviews or tests and may call for referee reports and employer references to elucidate any of the matters referred to above.

Application process

For the purposes of considering requests for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Students Experiencing Academic Disadvantage Policy, academic requirements for this course are articulated in the Course Description, Course Objectives and Generic Skills of this entry.

The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the disability support scheme can be found at the Disability Liaison Unit website: http://www.services.unimelb.edu.au/disability/

• be able to demonstrate an advanced development of research skills;
• be able to define areas of inquiry and create relevant methods of research in the preparation of essays;
• be able to conceptualise theoretical problems, form judgements and arguments and communicate critically, creatively and theoretically through essay writing, tutorial discussion and presentations;
• be able to demonstrate highly developed skills in presentations;
• be able to communicate knowledge intelligibly and economically through essay writing and seminar discussion;
• be able to participate productively in team work through involvement in syndicate groups and group discussions.