Graduate Diploma in Heritage Resources Management

Program overview

Heritage resources management identifies the elements of the past that a society defines as its heritage, then determines how to conserve and use them in a way that respects them as a public trust.

Heritage practitioners work in different types of institutions and with different types of heritage resources, but they have many common concerns. These include conserving and managing heritage, and delivering interpretive programming and services.

Athabasca University's online Graduate Diploma in Heritage Resources Management stresses these common features while respecting the differences between practices. Our courses explore both the general and the specific through the study of:

• general principles and approaches
• case studies
• situations representative of various types of heritage practice

This program includes a 400-hour practicum.

Why take the Graduate Diploma in Heritage Resources Management?

When you graduate, you will have a solid foundation in the general theory and established practice of the heritage field. You will also have a flexible graduate credential that creates many opportunities for further professional or academic pursuits.

Program details

The Graduate Diploma in Heritage Resources Management is an 18-credit online graduate program. You must complete 12 credits through Athabasca University. You may also need to take up to 4 undergraduate courses in foundational areas of heritage practice.

The Graduate Diploma in Heritage Resources Management program has continuous admission – you can apply at any time. Most courses are online grouped study with defined start and end dates.

Routes and options

Ladder to a degree

All your Graduate Diploma in Heritage Resources Management credits fully transfer into the Heritage and Social History focus area of AU’s Master of Arts – Interdisciplinary Studies program. This means that you can complete a master’s degree with only an additional 15 credits.

• Laddering the Graduate Diploma in Heritage Resources Management into an Master of Arts – Interdisciplinary Studies degree

Completion times

Finish this program in as little as 2.5 years of full-time study, or work at your own pace to complete your requirements within 5 years.

Admission requirements

Admission requirements include a baccalaureate degree and competence in specific heritage areas.

• See full Graduate Diploma in Heritage Resources Management admission requirements

Required courses

Detailed information about courses in this program can be accessed using the following link:

Tuition and fees

The Graduate Diploma in Heritage Resources Management program has:

• an application fee
• a program admission fee

Tuition is then paid on a course-by-course basis.

• See all Graduate Diploma in Heritage Resources Management fees

Program learning outcomes

1. Develop a solid foundation in both general theory and established practice associated with heritage field in Canada and internationally.
2. Develop a critical understanding of the principles and practices of heritage collections and their conservation as well as heritage policies and professional ethics.
3. Analyze a range of viewpoints and experiences in connection with the specific issues and concerns that surround research in heritage field.
4. Propose appropriate conservation approach for cultural places by applying the Standards and Guidelines for the Conservation of Historic Places in Canada.
5. Assess methodologies and approaches applicable to interpretation, presentation, documentation, planning, and decision making for different types of heritage resources.
6. Develop preparedness and preventive measures to reduce risks to various heritage resources.
7. Adapt appropriate analytical, organizational and presentation skills in a practicum tailored to the student’s interests and experience.

Application deadlines and start dates