Postgraduate - Course3067 - Master of Tourism

This is a broad-based multidisciplinary course with strong international and industry links, specifically designed to equip students with the skills required to develop a career in the tourism (or an associated) industry. In the twenty first century the 'international tourism industry' can more accurately be described as the global movement of people for a variety of motivations. As the industry continues to expand, The United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) is forecasting that the growth rate for emerging economies will be double the rate of advanced economies to 2030. Sustainable tourism can assist in supporting international Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) to eradicate extreme poverty through the strategic management of tourism in developing destinations.

The course provides students with in-depth understanding of tourism development theory and practice. It facilitates the development of skills and techniques to develop tourism policies and practices in a global setting and to manage tourism and small and medium enterprise development in the direction of more sustainable practice.

Areas of study covered in the program include marketing and international marketing, cultural tourism, development and planning, natural resource management, environmental studies, research techniques, cross-cultural and regional studies, sustainability and communications.

These course outcomes are aligned with the Australian Qualifications Framework level 9, the Bologna Cycle 2 and Monash Graduate Attributes. For more information refer to http://opvclt.monash.edu.au/curriculum-by-design/aligning-course-outcomes-with-aqf-bologna.html.

Upon successful completion of this course it is expected that graduates will be able to:

• demonstrate a sound knowledge of diverse aspects of the academic discipline
• articulate and apply an understanding of the world view of the field of study
• demonstrate a critical appreciation of the secondary literature in the field of study
• apply a critical familiarity with many of the key texts and cultural products pertaining to the field of study
• apply advanced reading and communication skills, both written and verbal
• demonstrate advanced analytical skills
• demonstrate a thorough understanding of research methodology and ethics, and an ability to undertake a small, independent research project in one of the disciplines represented in the program

International field schools and exchanges

Students are encouraged to undertake part of their studies overseas in order to broaden their understanding of the international market and the role that a sustainable tourism industry can play in development within emerging economies. The course provides the option for students to attend a partially funded intensive field-school to study the patterns of development within an emerging economy in the Asia-Pacific region, such as Fiji, Vietnam or Cambodia.

In addition students have the opportunity of spending a semester on exchange at either Uppsala University (Sweden), or the Estonian Business School (Estonia). Approval must be obtained from the course coordinator and the faculty well before departure.

This course consists of 36 points of core units and 12 points of electives at level four, and one 12-point core unit and 12 points of electives at level five. All units are 12 points unless otherwise stated.

Level four

Students must complete:

• APG4389 Tourism industry and marketing
• APG4709 Sustainable tourism development and planning
• APG4710 Cultural tourism and special events

and 12 points from:

• APG4390 Contemporary issues in tourism
• APG4556 Urbanisation and regional development in the Indo-Pacific rim (6 points)
• APG4628 Doctrines of development (6 points)
• APG4894 Communication theories and practices
• MKX9261 Integrated marketing communication (6 points)
• other level four units from the faculties of Arts or Business and Economics with approval from the course coordinator*

Level five

Students must complete one of the following options.

Option one

• APG5717 Applied industry research

and 12 points from:

• APG5382 Contemporary issues in Asia
• APG5390 Contemporary issues in tourism**
• APG5398 New communications media
• APG5718 Industry internship
• APG5724 Research project
• APG5805 The art and business of international development (6 points)
• other level five units from the faculties of Arts or Business and Economics with approval from the course coordinator*

** If not completed at Level 4.

Option two

APG5721 Industry research thesis (24 points), with the approval of the course coordinator

* Other units can be identified via the index of units by faculty at http://www.monash.edu.au/pubs/2013handbooks/units/index-byfaculty-arts.html or by browsing units at http://www.monash.edu.au/pubs/2013handbooks/units/search.

Students may apply to exit after successful completion of:

• 24 points with 3763 Graduate Certificate in Tourism
• 48 points with 0114 Graduate Diploma in Tourism.

Master of Tourism