Cultural heritage management is the field of practice concerned with the effective identification, conservation, management and interpretation of cultural heritage resources. Cultural heritage management is an umbrella term, involving competence in disciplines such as archaeology, history, architecture and anthropology. Students are prepared for jobs in areas such as collections management, site management, education and interpretation in organisations including museums, heritage agencies, national parks and private practice. The degree course in cultural heritage management introduces students to the technical skills and professional procedures for managing both the tangible places that comprise cultural heritage as well as the intangible ideas which give that heritage significance. They are also encouraged to take a second major within a related field such as history, resource and environmental science, environmental design, applied psychology, communication, tourism, archaeology, adult education or community advocacy.
Most graduates work in private industry as consultants or with public sector instrumentalities.
Graduates can find employment as a project officer, field officer, scientific manager, policy maker or planner in a government or non-government agency with a responsibility for the environment. Others elect to pursue postgraduate study leading to a research career. Core units span a wide range of scientific disciplines such as biology, chemistry, genetics, physiology and anatomy, pathobiology and nutrition. Core units also explore the relationship between science, the environment and society and teach fundamentals of data analysis and communication in science. The course is not specifically vocationally oriented but is suitable for a career where a broad general scientific knowledge of the human body is required.