Professional diploma800 h · Online · 8 modules

Professional Diploma in Maritime Museum and Exhibition Management

This professional diploma gives you the key tools to lead and transform museum spaces devoted to maritime heritage. You will learn to design powerful exhibitions from concept to installation, integrating the latest technologies and museographic trends, and to master collections management, preventive conservation and cultural marketing strategies that attract and retain your audience.

Duration800 h
ModeOnline
Start1 December
Modules8
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About the program

What is the Professional Diploma in Maritime Museum and Exhibition Management?

This professional diploma prepares you to run maritime museums, museum ships, interpretation centers and specialized exhibitions. You will learn the foundations of museology and museography applied to naval and maritime heritage, how boats, navigation instruments, charts, ship models and historical objects are inventoried, documented and digitised, how wood, metals, textiles, paper and composite materials are conserved, how permanent, temporary and traveling exhibitions are conceived, designed, installed and maintained, how heritage education and interpretation programs are built for different audiences, how a museum is planned, financed, marketed and evaluated, and how 3D digitisation, augmented and virtual reality and data analytics can enrich the visit.

What sets this professional diploma apart: a specific focus on maritime collections and their particular conservation challenges, such as salinity and large objects like boats; a complete view of the museum, from collections and conservation to exhibitions, education, finance and people; practical coverage of exhibition production, accessibility and visitor experience; attention to digital transformation and immersive experiences; an in-depth structure of eight modules; and a final project in which you design a complete museographic and management plan for a maritime museum or exhibition.

Program typeProfessional diploma
ModeOnline
Duration800 hours
Modules8
Start1 December

Program highlights

  • Maritime museology: types of maritime museums, museum ships and interpretation centers and their functions.
  • Collections management: inventories, catalogs, digital records, loans, acquisitions and donations.
  • Preventive conservation: wood, metal and textiles, risk diagnosis and minimum-intervention restoration criteria.
  • Exhibition design: narrative, visitor routes, showcases, lighting, interactives and universal accessibility.
  • Museum management: budgets, sponsorship, cultural marketing, teams, volunteers and performance indicators.
  • Final project: a museographic, conservation, communication and financial plan for a maritime museum or exhibition.
Syllabus

Syllabus of the Professional Diploma in Maritime Museum and Exhibition Management

8 modules. Select a module to see its content.

Module 1

Fundamentals of maritime museology, naval heritage and museum management

  • 1.1. Fundamental concepts of museology, museography, maritime heritage, naval heritage and the conservation of maritime cultural heritage
  • 1.2. Historical evolution of maritime museums and their role in preserving naval and port memory
  • 1.3. Types of maritime museums, interpretation centers, museum ships, historic aquariums and specialized exhibition spaces
  • 1.4. The historical, scientific, technological, archaeological and cultural value of maritime and naval collections
  • 1.5. Functions of museums: conservation, research, education, cultural outreach and community participation
  • 1.6. Institutional organization of a maritime museum: management, conservation, education, administration, communication and visitor services
  • 1.7. Building an integrated view of museum management applied to maritime and naval heritage
  • 1.8. Types of maritime museums and international benchmarks
At this stage
100 hestimated workload
8 wkweeks at your pace
Module 2

Maritime collections management, inventory and heritage documentation

  • 2.1. Identifying and classifying maritime assets: boats, navigation instruments, nautical charts, ship models and historical objects
  • 2.2. Drawing up inventories, catalogs and documentation systems for maritime collections
  • 2.3. Photographic recording, digitisation, coding and traceability of heritage items
  • 2.4. Historical and documentary research applied to objects, boats and naval collections
  • 2.5. Managing storage, loans, acquisitions, donations and collection movements
  • 2.6. Heritage databases and digital systems for the administration of museum collections
  • 2.7. Developing documentation systems that ensure the control, conservation and accessibility of collections
  • 2.8. Collections management systems and digital cataloguing
At this stage
100 hestimated workload
8 wkweeks at your pace
Module 3

Preventive conservation and restoration of maritime heritage

  • 3.1. Principles of preventive conservation applied to maritime and naval cultural assets
  • 3.2. Deterioration factors: humidity, salinity, temperature, light, pollution, biodeterioration and improper handling
  • 3.3. Conservation of wood, metals, textiles, paper, leather, ceramics and composite materials found in maritime collections
  • 3.4. Safe handling, packing, transport and storage of heritage items
  • 3.5. Assessing condition and diagnosing risks for museum objects
  • 3.6. Planning restoration interventions and the criteria of minimum intervention and reversibility
  • 3.7. Developing preventive conservation programs aimed at ensuring the long-term preservation of maritime heritage
  • 3.8. Conservation of naval objects: wood, metal and textiles
At this stage
100 hestimated workload
8 wkweeks at your pace
Module 4

Museographic design and production of maritime exhibitions

  • 4.1. Principles of museographic design applied to permanent, temporary and traveling exhibitions
  • 4.2. Conceptual planning of exhibitions on navigation, exploration, shipbuilding, maritime trade and coastal heritage
  • 4.3. Designing visitor routes, exhibition narrative, zoning and the visitor experience
  • 4.4. Integrating showcases, lighting, signage, audiovisuals, interactive resources and scenographic elements
  • 4.5. Production, installation, dismantling and technical maintenance of maritime exhibitions
  • 4.6. Universal accessibility, inclusion and adapting content to different visitor profiles
  • 4.7. Developing museographic projects that combine educational value, historical rigor and visual appeal
  • 4.8. Exhibition resources, lighting and graphic design
At this stage
100 hestimated workload
8 wkweeks at your pace
Module 5

Heritage education, interpretation and cultural communication

  • 5.1. Designing educational programs for schools, higher education students, families and specialist audiences
  • 5.2. Techniques for interpreting maritime heritage through guided tours, workshops and participatory activities
  • 5.3. Producing teaching materials, publications, guides, digital resources and educational content
  • 5.4. Strategies for scientific and historical outreach related to navigation and naval heritage
  • 5.5. Organizing lectures, study days, themed exhibitions and maritime cultural events
  • 5.6. Institutional communication through social media, digital platforms and cultural outreach campaigns
  • 5.7. Developing heritage education programs that foster knowledge and appreciation of maritime heritage
  • 5.8. Educational programs for schools and the general public
At this stage
100 hestimated workload
8 wkweeks at your pace
Module 6

Administrative, financial and strategic management of maritime museums

  • 6.1. Administrative organization and strategic planning of maritime museum institutions
  • 6.2. Budgeting, financial planning and financial control of museographic projects
  • 6.3. Managing grants, sponsors, partnership agreements, donations and cultural patronage programs
  • 6.4. Cultural marketing and strategies to increase visibility and attract visitors
  • 6.5. Managing human resources, volunteers and multidisciplinary teams in maritime museums
  • 6.6. Performance evaluation through management indicators, visitor satisfaction and cultural impact
  • 6.7. Developing sustainable management models that strengthen the economic and social viability of the museum
  • 6.8. Policies for the acquisition, loan and donation of items
At this stage
100 hestimated workload
8 wkweeks at your pace
Module 7

Innovation, digitisation and immersive experiences in maritime museums

  • 7.1. Digital transformation applied to maritime museums and interpretation centers
  • 7.2. 3D digitisation of boats, historical objects and heritage collections
  • 7.3. Applying augmented reality, virtual reality and immersive experiences to enrich the visit
  • 7.4. Developing hybrid exhibitions, virtual tours and digital platforms for remote access
  • 7.5. Using artificial intelligence for cataloguing, interpretation and personalizing the visitor experience
  • 7.6. Assessing audience behavior through data analytics and digital tools
  • 7.7. Developing innovative strategies that integrate technology, conservation and outreach on maritime heritage
  • 7.8. Augmented reality, audio guides and virtual visits
At this stage
100 hestimated workload
8 wkweeks at your pace
Module 8

Final Project

  • 8.1. Defining the case study: a maritime museum, museum ship, interpretation center or specialized exhibition
  • 8.2. Diagnosing the collection, spaces, target audience, available resources and management needs
  • 8.3. Designing the museographic plan with narrative, visitor route, exhibition resources and educational strategies
  • 8.4. Drawing up the program for conservation, documentation, digitisation and collections management
  • 8.5. Developing the plan for communication, cultural marketing, financial sustainability and visitor attraction
  • 8.6. Writing the technical report with the museological, heritage, economic and organizational analysis of the project
  • 8.7. Evaluating the exhibition project and its budget
  • 8.8. Presentation and defense of the final project with museographic, heritage, educational and strategic validation of the proposal
At this stage
100 hestimated workload
8 wkweeks at your pace
Plan your pace

Duration and format of the Professional Diploma in Maritime Museum and Exhibition Management

It is 800 hours. Tell us how many you can study each week and we will tell you when you will really finish.

4 h30 h
With 12 h per week
15
months to finish
67 weeks
weeks in total

This is the pace at which most students finish. It fits well with the installment plan.

Faculty

Academic leadership and faculty

The Navalis teaching team: working professionals who teach and supervise the programs.

Dra. Marina AlcoverDr. Marina AlcoverAcademic Director and Head of Quality Assurance
Ing. Diego CifuentesEng. Diego CifuentesSenior Lecturer in Naval Welding and Non-Destructive Testing; Head of QA/QC for Welded Joints
Cap. Javier Abaroa (MCA)Capt. Javier Abaroa (MCA)Senior Lecturer in Ship Handling, Electronic Navigation (ECDIS/Radar/ARPA) and GMDSS; STCW Compliance and Bridge Resource Management Coordinator
Dr. Pau FerrerDr. Pau FerrerSenior Lecturer in Naval Architecture and Simulation; Director of the Hydrodynamics and CFD Laboratory
Dra. Nuria LlobregatDr. Nuria LlobregatSenior Lecturer in Marine Meteorology, SAR and Operational Safety; Navigation Risk Management Coordinator
Ing. Javier BañulsEng. Javier BañulsSenior Lecturer in Electrical Engineering, Automation and ETO Engineering; Electronic Integration and Engine Alarms Coordinator
Ing. Sofía MarquinaEng. Sofía MarquinaSenior Lecturer in Materials, Composites and Corrosion Protection; Coordinator of the Advanced Paints and Coatings Line
Ing. Tomás RieraEng. Tomás RieraSenior Lecturer in Propulsion, Alternative Energy and Hybrid Systems; Energy Performance and Vibration Coordinator
Objectives

Objectives of the Professional Diploma in Maritime Museum and Exhibition Management

01Lead and improve the visitor experience, analyzing feedback, adapting processes and personalizing interaction to exceed expectations.
02Catalog and preserve maritime heritage, documenting artifacts, boats and traditions thoroughly and applying preventive and remedial conservation protocols.
03Develop and promote powerful exhibitions, combining creativity and strategy to build visual narratives that attract audiences and create emotional impact.
04Manage the museum and secure its financial sustainability, optimizing budget management, controlling costs and maximizing the return on investment.
05Foster research and the dissemination of maritime knowledge, publishing research articles and taking part in conferences on maritime history and heritage.
06Build collaboration networks and strategic alliances, identifying and approaching potential partners, negotiating beneficial agreements and maintaining fluid communication for joint projects.
Careers

Career opportunities after the Professional Diploma in Maritime Museum and Exhibition Management

01Maritime collections managercataloguing, conservation and documentation of objects and archives related to maritime history.
02Maritime exhibition designercreation of visual narratives and immersive experiences for exhibitions on maritime themes.
03Maritime museum educator or guidedesign and delivery of educational programs and guided tours for different audiences.
04Communication and marketing manager for maritime museumspromotion of the museum and its activities across different channels.
05Maritime history researcherstudy of documents, objects and sites to enrich collections and exhibitions.
06Maritime museum and exhibition consultantadvice to public and private institutions on planning, developing and managing museums and exhibitions.
Frequently asked questions

Questions about the Professional Diploma in Maritime Museum and Exhibition Management

The management of museums and exhibitions with a maritime theme: collections, conservation, exhibition design, education, communication, finance and innovation.

The maritime museum sector, including professionals of museums, museum ships, interpretation centers, aquariums and other institutions devoted to maritime heritage.

Yes. You study how humidity, salinity, light and biodeterioration affect maritime collections and how wood, metals, textiles and other materials are conserved, handled, packed and stored.

Yes. One module covers the conceptual planning, narrative, visitor routes, showcases, lighting, interactives, accessibility, installation and maintenance of permanent, temporary and traveling exhibitions.

Yes. You study strategic planning, budgeting, managing grants, sponsorship and donations, cultural marketing, teams and volunteers, and performance indicators.

You choose a maritime museum, museum ship, interpretation center or exhibition, diagnose its collection, spaces and audience, and design its museographic, conservation, communication and financial plan with a budget.

Fully online, through a virtual campus available 24/7, with discussion forums, digital resources, recorded live sessions and tutorials with the teaching staff.

The professional diploma comprises 800 hours of study across 8 modules of 100 hours each and ends with a final project. You can progress at your own pace within the schedule set when you enroll.

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Online admission

Admission process

No waiting for a call back. If your documents are in order, you can enroll in the same session.

Entry requirements
  • Profile: aimed at heads of museums and curators, exhibition designers, cultural heritage professionals, museum marketing and communication managers, and students and graduates in history, art, museology or tourism; a degree in art history, museology, fine arts, history, anthropology, archaeology, marine sciences or a related field, or professional experience in museums, cultural institutions or maritime exhibitions, is recommended, and experience in cultural project management or collections databases is an advantage.
  • Language: sufficient command of English to follow the classes and the technical documentation.
  • Technical resources: a computer with a stable internet connection, an up-to-date browser and a camera and microphone for live sessions and the project presentation.
  • Admission: online application, review of your profile and a short interview with the academic team.
  1. 01
    Application
    Your details, background and documents.
  2. 02
    Instant review
    We check that everything is complete and in order.
  3. 03
    Enrollment
    Choose full payment or instalments and reserve your place.
Start my applicationFrom $460 deposit

Admission is provisional until the committee validates the documents provided. If you do not meet the requirements, the full amount is refunded.

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Leave your details and admissions will write to you to answer any questions. If you are already sure, you can apply and pay in the same session.

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