Master of Information Studies

CSU’s Master of Information Studies reflects the critical importance of information and knowledge management across a wide range of fields and institutions.

Why study this course?

CSU’s Master of Information Studies offers a broad range of opportunities for those interested in the information and cultural sectors. The course provides students with an in-depth understanding of the creation, evaluation, collection, organisation, utilisation and dissemination of information in the contemporary information environment. Students are able to choose subjects from a wide range of specialisations.

The School of Information Studies (SIS) is one of the largest providers of education for the information industries internationally and been educating and researching in the Information and Library Studies field for nearly 40 years. Today well over half of Australia's Information and Library Studies students are here at CSU. This experience means we understand our students and our professions, and design and deliver distance education courses that respond to your needs. The career opportunities for our graduates are broad and include employment in public and academic libraries; research, government and corporate information centres; and the cultural heritage sector.

Career opportunities

This degree is an industry recognised professional qualification, enabling graduates to work in the full range of library, records and related information sectors. Career opportunities include public and academic libraries, research, government and corporate information centres, and the cultural heritage sector.

More information on career opportunities

Professional recognition

This degree is recognised by the Australian Library and Infomation Association (ALIA) and the Records and Information Management Professionals Australasia (RIM Professionals Australasia) as a professional qualification, enabling graduates to work in the full range of library, records and related information sectors. Graduates of the Records and Archives specialisation will also be recognised by the Australian Institute of Archivists.

Course Structure

Comprising nine core and four elective subjects, the Master of Information Studies can be studied over three years part-time (1.5 years full-time equivalent). There is flexibility to progress at faster or slower rates, and over an optional summer session. Students can choose to exit with the Graduate Diploma of Information Studies upon completion of the core subjects. This is a professional entry level qualification accredited by ALIA, and takes two years part-time (one year full-time equivalent).

More information about course structure

Specialisations

Students can choose to study a general qualification or specialisations are available in the following areas:

• Applied Research
• Children’s Librarianship
• Community Networking
• Information Architecture
• Information and Knowledge Management
• Librarianship
• Library Leadership
• Records and Archives Management

More information about specialisations 

Credit and recognition of prior learning

A range of opportunities for credit are available for those holding prior qualifications.

More information about credit

Academic expectations

For each 8 point subject at CSU, students should normally expect to spend between 140-160 hours engaged in the specified learning and assessment activities (such as attending lectures or residential schools, assigned readings, tutorial assistance, individual or group research/study, forum activity, workplace learning, assignments or examinations). The student workload for some subjects may vary from these norms as a result of approved course design.

Students will be assessed on the basis of completed assignments, examinations, workplace learning, or other methods as outlined in specific subject outlines.

Where applicable, students are responsible for travel and accommodation costs involved in workplace learning experiences, or attending residential schools (distance education students).

Expectations relating to academic, workplace learning, time and cost requirements for specific subjects are provided in the subject abstracts and in course materials.