Elise Horspool
“A Graduate Certificate of Studies is ideal for those who want to choose what they want to study for postgraduate. I was able to replicate the requirements from the Master of History program through my subject choices. It gives you a taste of what further postgraduate studies could be and the opportunity to meet likeminded people in your cohort.”
Interested in modern history, historiography, research skills and museum practices such as curation and digital humanities, Elise Horspool is completing a Graduate Certificate of Studies at the Australian National University (ANU). After earning her BA in 2015, she took a seven-year hiatus before returning to pursue a Graduate Certificate of Studies.
“A Graduate Certificate of Studies is ideal for those who want to choose what they want to study for postgraduate. I was able to replicate the requirements from the Master of History program through my subject choices. It gives you a taste of what further postgraduate studies could be and the opportunity to meet likeminded people in your cohort,” Elise shared.
However, her journey didn't start with the Graduate Certificate. After immensely enjoying” her undergraduate studies at ANU, she was advised to apply for the Graduate Certificate of Studies when she didn't meet the requirements for the Master of History program. The recommendation came with a silver lining: it was suggested that if she maintained a competitive GPA, she might be able to transfer into the Masters and have her courses credited. Additionally, the Graduate Certificate provided Elise with the flexibility to graduate after a year of part-time study if she felt unsure about the two-year commitment required for the Masters program, especially given her full-time work obligations.
She relished the unique opportunity at ANU to undertake coursework in history, as opposed to working solely on a thesis. One course Elise particularly enjoyed was Nation and Memory: The Purposes and Politics of Remembrance. “It featured guest lecturers from ANU and abroad, speaking to the ideas of nationalism and memory politics throughout history. It was engaging and enlightening and the assignments gave room for flexibility and creative thinking in choosing our own topics.” She will complete the course with, “Refreshed critical thinking and research skills, along with a new perspective on current museum practices and how the digital humanities can inform this.”
Elise says, “the subjects I've completed have given me new perspectives on how I inform and approach my professional work. My undergraduate studies in history and work experience in a museum definitely furthered my career prospects and led me to where I am today.”
Elise Horspool's journey through the Graduate Certificate of Studies underscores the value of flexible postgraduate programs tailored to individual interests at ANU. With courses like Nation and Memory offering insights into complex historical themes, Elise has found a balance between academic enrichment and practical application in her professional role as a curator and historian.
For those intrigued by the possibilities of the Graduate Certificate of Studies and considering a similar path, more information can be found on the university's website.
