Master’s degree1,500 h · Online · 11 modules

Master's in Museology and Maritime Heritage Management

This master's prepares you to lead the conservation and communication of maritime heritage. You will gain the tools to research, catalog and manage collections and to design innovative exhibitions and educational programs that connect the public with the history of the sea. It offers a complete view of maritime heritage, from underwater archaeology to intangible culture, for a career in museums, cultural institutions and sustainable tourism projects.

Duration1,500 h

ModeOnline

Start1 December

Modules11

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About the program

What is the Master's in Museology and Maritime Heritage Management?

This master's covers the whole work of a maritime museum. You will study the principles and international frameworks of heritage conservation (UNESCO, ICOMOS, ICCROM, ICOM); condition assessment with photogrammetry, 3D scanning and non-invasive analysis; preventive conservation and the ethical restoration of wood, metals, textiles and other materials degraded by the sea; collections management, cataloging and digitization; exhibition design, immersive narratives, augmented and virtual reality and UX in museum spaces; strategic planning, the legal framework for cultural salvage and permits, funding, sponsorship and marketing; risk management and security in coastal museums; and audience studies, education programs, accessibility and communication.

What sets this master's apart: it brings conservation science, exhibition design and museum management together in one program centered on the specific problems of maritime objects, from salt and corrosion to coastal hazards; it treats digital technology as a tool for documentation and interpretation, not decoration; it gives funding, sponsorship and audience development the same weight as curatorship; and it closes with a Final Project in which you build an integrated plan for the conservation, management and communication of maritime heritage.

Program typeMaster’s degree

ModeOnline

Duration1,500 hours

Modules11

Start1 December

Program highlights

Heritage conservation: UNESCO, ICOMOS, ICCROM and ICOM frameworks, diagnosis and preventive conservation.
Restoration of nautical objects: wood, metals and textiles, desalination, consolidation and ethical criteria.
Exhibitions and technology: museography, immersive narratives, AR/VR, 3D modeling and visitor UX.
Strategy and funding: legal framework for cultural salvage, governance, sponsorship and museum marketing.
Risk and security: ISO 31000, emergency plans, monitoring systems and safeguarding in coastal settings.
Audiences and education: audience studies, school and family programs, accessibility and communication plans.

Syllabus

Syllabus of the Master's in Museology and Maritime Heritage Management

11 modules. Select a module to see its content.

Module 1

Integrated management and conservation of maritime heritage: advanced strategies for museums and cultural spaces

1.1. Foundations of maritime heritage conservation: theoretical principles and applicable international frameworks (UNESCO, ICOMOS, ICCROM)
1.2. Multidisciplinary analysis of maritime heritage: integrating underwater archaeology, naval history, ethnography and environmental conservation
1.3. Advanced condition assessment: visual inspection techniques, digital photogrammetry, 3D scanning and specialized environmental monitoring
1.4. Technologies for preventive and remedial conservation: environmental control and restoration of organic and inorganic materials from marine contexts
1.5. Strategic management of maritime collections: acquisition, cataloging, preservation and digitization policies for museums and cultural spaces
1.6. Design and development of interactive, multisensory exhibitions on maritime heritage, with augmented and virtual reality for science communication
1.7. Integrated security planning in maritime museums: emergency protocols, anti-theft systems, access control and risk management in coastal settings
1.8. International and national rules for the protection of underwater and coastal heritage: legal analysis, case studies and good practice in maritime museology
1.9. Sustainability and accessibility strategies in maritime heritage management: inclusive management, community participation and responsible cultural tourism
1.10. Continuous evaluation and auditing of maritime museum projects: cultural, social and economic impact indicators for evidence-based decisions

At this stage

136 hestimated workload

11 wkweeks at your pace

Module 2

Innovation in interactive exhibitions and digital technologies for 21st-century maritime museology

2.1. Foundations of contemporary maritime museology: historical evolution and global context
2.2. Principles and techniques of museographic design applied to maritime spaces
2.3. Emerging digital technologies in exhibitions: augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR) and mixed reality (MR)
2.4. Design and development of interactive interfaces: user experience (UX) and accessibility in maritime museums
2.5. Tracking systems and sensors for interactive collections: IoT in museum settings
2.6. Integration of multimedia databases and digital management of maritime collections for dynamic exhibitions
2.7. 3D modeling and digital reconstruction of historical naval artifacts: techniques and practical applications
2.8. Protocols for preventive conservation and maintenance of technology devices in maritime spaces
2.9. Impact assessment and interaction metrics: quantitative and qualitative analysis of the visitor experience
2.10. Innovative proposals for digital museum narratives to communicate maritime heritage

At this stage

136 hestimated workload

11 wkweeks at your pace

Module 3

Preventive conservation and restoration procedures for nautical objects and historical elements

3.1. Scientific and technical foundations of preventive conservation in maritime heritage: stability, pH, humidity and temperature
3.2. Identification and characterization of traditional nautical materials: woods, metals, textiles and pigments in marine contexts
3.3. Assessment of physical, chemical and biological deterioration factors in maritime objects and historical elements
3.4. Advanced inspection and diagnosis protocols: non-invasive analysis, imaging techniques, spectroscopy and applied microscopy
3.5. Design and implementation of controlled environments for preservation: microclimates, filtration systems and control of airborne pollutants
3.6. Specialized cleaning methods: safe procedures for removing salts, biofilm and corrosion from maritime artifacts
3.7. Consolidation and stabilization techniques for woods and metals affected by marine degradation
3.8. Scientific documentation and technical recording protocols: condition sheets, digital catalogs and databases to track interventions
3.9. Principles and practice of ethical restoration: reversibility, historical legibility and material compatibility
3.10. International rules and professional standards for the conservation and restoration of maritime heritage

At this stage

136 hestimated workload

11 wkweeks at your pace

Module 4

Strategic planning, legal framework and financial sustainability of maritime heritage: cultural salvage, permits, sponsorship and museum marketing

4.1. Conceptual framework of strategic planning for maritime heritage: objectives, situation analysis and key indicators
4.2. Current national and international legislation in maritime museology: conventions, rules and cultural salvage protocols
4.3. Legal procedures for obtaining permits and authorizations for maritime heritage work: underwater archaeology and recovery of cultural property
4.4. Governance models and inter-institutional coordination for efficient maritime heritage management: public-private collaboration and community participation
4.5. Advanced strategies for the financial sustainability of maritime museums: income diversification, public and private funds and crowdfunding
4.6. Corporate sponsorship and strategic partnerships: selection criteria, negotiation and follow-up
4.7. Specialized marketing for maritime museums: audience segmentation, cultural branding and digital communication
4.8. Tools to measure the social and economic impact of museum activities related to maritime heritage
4.9. Risk management and cultural salvage protocols: preventive protection, emergency response and recovery of cultural property
4.10. Case studies and notable international experience in strategic planning and sustainable funding for maritime museology

At this stage

136 hestimated workload

11 wkweeks at your pace

Module 5

Museographic design and immersive narratives for interpreting and communicating maritime heritage in innovative exhibition spaces

5.1. Foundations of museographic design for maritime heritage: concepts, history and contemporary evolution
5.2. Theories and methods for building immersive narratives in cultural and maritime exhibition spaces
5.3. Advanced techniques for selecting and arranging objects and museographic resources to improve the interpretation of naval heritage
5.4. Integrating immersive technologies: augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR) and interactive projections to create maritime sensory experiences
5.5. User-centered design: audience analysis, accessibility, emotional experience and engagement in marine museum settings
5.6. Strategic planning of temporary and permanent exhibitions: curatorial criteria, schedules and resource management
5.7. Multidisciplinary research and documentation: historical sources, maritime archaeology, iconography and oral testimony applied to museographic design
5.8. Narrative theory and transmedia storytelling for the effective communication of maritime heritage
5.9. International rules and standards for the conservation, handling and display of maritime collections
5.10. Qualitative and quantitative evaluation of museographic projects: impact metrics, visitor feedback and exhibition sustainability

At this stage

136 hestimated workload

11 wkweeks at your pace

Module 6

Advanced strategies for the preventive conservation, restoration and display of nautical objects and historical elements

6.1. Foundations of preventive conservation: initial diagnosis, risk assessment and prioritization criteria for nautical objects
6.2. Advanced restoration techniques: materials, methods and technologies applied to historical maritime elements
6.3. Optimal environmental conditions for preservation: control of temperature, relative humidity, lighting and air pollution in museum spaces
6.4. Continuous monitoring systems and methods: sensors, data loggers and preventive maintenance protocols
6.5. Assessment and treatment of deterioration agents: biological, chemical and physical agents affecting maritime heritage
6.6. International rules and technical standards for the conservation of maritime cultural heritage (ICOM, ICCROM, UNESCO)
6.7. Design and management of exhibition spaces: criteria for the safe and educational display of nautical objects and historical artifacts
6.8. Mounting and fixing techniques: reversible materials, compatibility and safety for delicate artifacts
6.9. Integration of digital and multimedia technologies to enhance and communicate maritime heritage
6.10. Strategic planning for long-term conservation: management plans, intervention protocols and specialized training strategies

At this stage

136 hestimated workload

11 wkweeks at your pace

Module 7

Planning and museographic design of maritime exhibitions and interactive resources

7.1. Foundations of maritime museology: principles, history and evolution of naval and cultural heritage
7.2. Exhibition planning methods: audience analysis, museographic objectives and thematic concept
7.3. Museographic design for maritime spaces: integrating architecture, scenography and preventive conservation
7.4. Exhibition graphics: advanced techniques for the graphic and digital representation of marine objects and spaces
7.5. Selection and management of maritime collections: selection criteria, cataloging and specific conservation for organic, metallic and ceramic materials
7.6. Multimodal interactive resources: developing and implementing immersive technologies, augmented reality and virtual reality in maritime museums
7.7. Digital systems and databases for the documentation and accessibility of maritime heritage
7.8. Risk management and security in maritime exhibitions: international rules, prevention of deterioration and in situ conservation
7.9. Heritage communication and education strategies: designing educational programs and interpretive activities for diverse audiences
7.10. Evaluation and monitoring of exhibitions: success indicators, visitor feedback and continuous adaptation with analytics tools

At this stage

136 hestimated workload

11 wkweeks at your pace

Module 8

Integrated risk and security management in maritime museums: protocols, emergencies and safeguarding heritage in coastal and naval settings

8.1. Foundations and international framework of risk management for maritime museums: conventions, ISO 31000 and ICOM guidelines
8.2. Identification and assessment of specific risks in coastal and naval settings: natural, human-made and technological hazards
8.3. Design and application of security protocols for maritime museums and their infrastructure: access, display and storage of heritage assets
8.4. Advanced monitoring and control systems: environmental sensors, fire detection, perimeter surveillance and access control
8.5. Emergency and contingency plans for maritime museums: drills, evacuation and coordination with maritime and land emergency services
8.6. Safe handling, conservation and restoration of organic and inorganic maritime heritage materials under risk conditions
8.7. Integrated crisis management in port and coastal settings: institutional communication, media handling and post-event recovery protocols
8.8. Ongoing staff training in security protocols, first aid and the operation of protection systems for specific risks
8.9. Assessment and management of cyber risks in the IT systems and heritage databases of maritime museums
8.10. Case studies and critical analysis of historical and recent incidents: lessons learned and best practice in safeguarding maritime heritage

At this stage

136 hestimated workload

11 wkweeks at your pace

Module 9

Advanced strategies for the conservation, display and sustainable management of integrated maritime heritage

9.1. Theoretical foundations of maritime heritage conservation: principles, materials and degradation processes in marine environments
9.2. Integrated diagnosis and assessment of maritime assets: advanced non-invasive analysis, environmental monitoring and risk appraisal
9.3. Strategic planning for sustainable conservation: adaptive protocols, prioritization of interventions and handling uncertainty
9.4. Technological innovation in conservation: remote sensing, spectrophotometric analysis and 3D modeling for assessment and restoration
9.5. Specialized museographic design for maritime heritage: display criteria, multisensory interaction and contextualized educational narrative
9.6. Management of maritime collections: digital cataloging, international standards and documentary traceability
9.7. Environmental control systems in exhibition spaces: regulation of humidity, temperature, lighting and pollutants
9.8. Strategies for community participation and collaborative governance: local networks and inclusive heritage education programs
9.9. International and national legal framework: conventions, maritime protection rules and public policies for safeguarding and communication
9.10. Socioeconomic impact and sustainability assessment: indicators, case studies and integrated management plans for maritime heritage

At this stage

136 hestimated workload

11 wkweeks at your pace

Module 10

Audiences, education and communication in the maritime museum

10.1. Audience and visitor studies
10.2. Educational programs for schools
10.3. Activities for families and adults
10.4. Universal accessibility
10.5. Volunteering and friends of the museum
10.6. Communication and social media
10.7. Cultural marketing
10.8. Museums and the local community
10.9. Program evaluation
10.10. The museum's communication plan

At this stage

136 hestimated workload

11 wkweeks at your pace

Module 11

Final Project

11.1. Theoretical and methodological foundations for designing and formulating museum projects on maritime heritage
11.2. Multidisciplinary analysis of maritime heritage: underwater archaeology, naval history, ethnography and in situ conservation
11.3. Thorough diagnosis of the state of conservation and environmental risks: pollution, biofouling and physical-chemical deterioration
11.4. Strategic planning for integrated management: assessment tools, SWOT matrix and stakeholder analysis
11.5. Developing advanced protocols for preventive conservation and specialized restoration of movable and immovable maritime heritage
11.6. Technological innovation in maritime museography: augmented reality, 3D digitization and interactive interpretation systems
11.7. Sustainable management models and community participation: governance, public policy and inter-institutional partnerships
11.8. Designing communication and education strategies to share maritime heritage in on-site and virtual formats
11.9. Continuous evaluation and monitoring of museum projects: cultural, social and economic impact indicators
11.10. Preparing a final project that builds an integrated plan linking conservation, management and communication in leading-edge museum spaces

At this stage

136 hestimated workload

11 wkweeks at your pace

Plan your pace

Duration and format of the Master's in Museology and Maritime Heritage Management

It is 1,500 hours. Tell us how many you can study each week and we will tell you when you will really finish.

Hours per week

4 h30 h

With 12 h per week

months to finish

125 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.

Dr. Marina AlcoverAcademic Director and Head of Quality Assurance

Eng. Diego CifuentesSenior Lecturer in Naval Welding and Non-Destructive Testing; Head of QA/QC for Welded Joints

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 FerrerSenior Lecturer in Naval Architecture and Simulation; Director of the Hydrodynamics and CFD Laboratory

Dr. Nuria LlobregatSenior Lecturer in Marine Meteorology, SAR and Operational Safety; Navigation Risk Management Coordinator

Eng. Javier BañulsSenior Lecturer in Electrical Engineering, Automation and ETO Engineering; Electronic Integration and Engine Alarms Coordinator

Eng. Sofía MarquinaSenior Lecturer in Materials, Composites and Corrosion Protection; Coordinator of the Advanced Paints and Coatings Line

Eng. Tomás RieraSenior Lecturer in Propulsion, Alternative Energy and Hybrid Systems; Energy Performance and Vibration Coordinator

Objectives

Objectives of the Master's in Museology and Maritime Heritage Management

01Catalog and conserve maritime cultural property, identifying and documenting artifacts, shipwrecks and submerged sites with archaeological methods and preventive conservation criteria.

02Design and manage interactive maritime exhibitions, building engaging narratives with immersive technology and adapting content to different audiences to maximize educational impact and enjoyment.

03Develop sustainable maritime cultural tourism strategies, designing itineraries that balance the visitor experience with heritage conservation, involve local communities and minimize environmental impact.

04Lead maritime heritage research projects, defining their scope, budget and schedule to ensure feasibility and achievement of objectives.

05Assess the social and economic impact of maritime heritage with key indicators that measure its contribution to local and regional development, including tangible benefits such as tourism and jobs and intangible ones such as cultural identity.

06Apply innovative technologies to maritime museum displays, for example augmented reality that recreates historical naval battles over scale models with contextual information for visitors.

Careers

Career opportunities after the Master's in Museology and Maritime Heritage Management

01Maritime museum managerdesign, planning and direction of museums devoted to maritime heritage.

02Curator of maritime collectionscataloging, conservation and restoration of objects and documents related to maritime history.

03Museum and interpretation center educatordesign and delivery of educational programs and activities for different audiences.

04Maritime heritage researcherresearch projects on maritime history, archaeology and culture.

05Maritime heritage management consultantadvice to institutions and companies on conserving, communicating and enhancing maritime heritage.

06Maritime cultural tourism specialistdesign and promotion of routes and tourism products based on maritime heritage.

Frequently asked questions

Questions about the Master's in Museology and Maritime Heritage Management

Maritime heritage: museums, collections, historic vessels, underwater cultural property and the intangible culture of the sea.

Yes. Several modules cover deterioration factors, non-invasive diagnosis, salt and corrosion removal, consolidation of wood and metals and the ethical criteria of restoration.

Yes. You study museography, immersive narratives, AR and VR, 3D reconstruction, visitor UX, exhibition graphics and the evaluation of temporary and permanent exhibitions.

Yes. One module covers strategic planning, the legal framework for permits and cultural salvage, governance, income diversification, sponsorship and museum marketing.

Yes. A degree in a related field such as history, archaeology, art history or tourism is enough; the admission interview confirms that the program suits your profile.

Through practical cases and exercises in each module and a Final Project in which you build an integrated plan for the conservation, management and communication of maritime heritage.

A master's issued by Navalis Institute, together with the conservation, exhibition and management plans you develop during the program.

Fully online, through a virtual campus available 24/7 with live sessions that are recorded, forums and tutorials. It comprises 1500 hours of study across 11 modules of about 136 hours each.

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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 graduates in history, art history, archaeology, anthropology, conservation, tourism or architecture, museum, archive and interpretation center staff, public administration and foundation officials working in cultural heritage, and educators and science communicators. A related degree, or demonstrable professional experience in museums, maritime heritage institutions or cultural management, is recommended.
Language: sufficient command of English to follow the classes and the technical documentation.
Technical resources: a computer with a camera and microphone, a stable internet connection and videoconferencing software such as Zoom or Teams.
Admission: online application, review of your profile and a short interview with the academic team.

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