University Certificate in Heritage Resources Management

Program overview

Heritage resources management involves working with those things of the past – both intangible and tangible – that a society determines are of value and worth preserving.

Athabasca University’s online University Certificate in Heritage Resources Management is designed for people who want a solid foundation in both general theory and established practice in this field.

Get practical knowledge about important issues and trends, including

• planning historic places and cultural landscapes
• interpretive programming and managing and maintaining exhibits
• preventive conservation
• making ethical decisions
• the heritage policies of various Canadian governments

You will also benefit from a practicum that can be tailored to your interests and experience.

Why take the University Certificate in Heritage Resources Management?

The heritage sector is a broad and vital field with many different and specialized practices. These include the work done at

• historic places
• museums, collections, and archives
• cultural landscapes
• indigenous cultural places
• interpretive centres

This program is ideal for those who are working or volunteering in the field, or those who wish to pursue careers or other involvement with heritage resources practice.

Routes and options

Ladder to a degree

University Certificate in Heritage Resources Management program students have the opportunity to use the courses they have taken towards a Minor in Heritage Resources Management in the 4-year Bachelor of Arts degree.

In most cases, the University Certificate in Heritage Resources Management will ladder fully into the following programs:

• University Diploma in Arts
• Bachelor of General Studies
• 3 or 4-year Bachelor of Arts with your choice of concentration or major

The University Certificate in Heritage Resources Management will also partially ladder into several other bachelor's-level AU degrees. If this interests you, be sure to speak to an academic advisor about how your University Certificate in Heritage Resources Management coursework can fit into a degree program.

Completion times

Finish this program in as little as 1 year of full-time study, or work at your own pace and take as long as you need. There is no time limit for completion.

Admission requirements

There are no formal admission requirements for this program. All you need is to be 16 or older. You can enrol anytime and start right away, regardless of your previous education.

Please note: The University Certificate in Heritage Resources Management program is designed for students who do not already hold an undergraduate degree. If you have an undergraduate degree, you may be interested in the Graduate Diploma in Heritage Resources Management.

How to apply

You can apply to AU online anytime. Once you’ve completed the online application form and paid the one-time general application fee (and transfer credit evaluation fee, if applicable), you’re officially an AU student and can start registering in courses.

• How to enrol in an undergraduate program

Make sure we get your transcripts if you want us to consider your previous post-secondary education for transfer credit.

Transfer and advanced credit

If you have previous post-secondary education or significant life and work experience that relates to this program, you may be eligible for transfer credit or Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR). This could mean fewer courses to get your AU certificate.

If you transfer credit, you must complete a minimum of 15 credits at AU.

• Learn about transfer and advanced credit at AU

Program requirements

To complete the program you will need to fulfil all the requirements of the certificate.

• Requirements: University Certificate in Heritage Resources Management

Our program plans can give you an idea of what courses you need to finish this program, and how to plan the order you’ll take them in. If you’re feeling stuck, our academic advisors can help.

• Program plan: University Certificate in Heritage Resources Management

Required courses

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

Tuition and fees

Once you have paid the initial application fee, tuition is pay-as-you-go for each course registration. Course fees vary depending on your location and other factors.

• Calculate your course cost

You can estimate your total program cost by multiplying the cost of a 3-credit course by the number of courses you need to take for the program. Remember that tuition costs may increase each year.

Program learning outcomes

1. Develop an understanding of the various work undertaken at different types of heritage resources such as historic places and cultural landscapes, museums, archives, and interpretive centres.
2. Respect the many differences that reflect the vitality and range of the contemporary heritage field.
3. Develop an understanding of the application of the relevant theories in heritage field to real-world projects.
4. Develop a critical understanding of current principles, practices, and debates in heritage conservation and museum management in Canada and internationally.
5. Interpret important issues and trends in heritage field, from the care and exhibition of collections to the heritage policies of various Canadian governments.
6. Conduct basic historical and multidisciplinary research.
7. Develop an understanding of designation and management tools in heritage field.
8. Demonstrate appropriate analytical, organizational and presentation skills in a practicum tailored to the student’s interests and experience.