Master of Information Studies

What is this course about?

The Master of Information Studies is designed to reflect the critical importance of information and knowledge management across a wide range of fields and institutions. The course provides students with an in-depth understanding of the creation, evaluation, collection, organisation, utilisation and dissemination of information.

The changing nature of society has brought a growing demand for knowledge and information at work, in education and in leisure. Librarians, archivists, knowledge managers and many other information professionals are meeting that demand by providing effective access to information resources and services.

Qualified information professionals play a vital role in facilitating the creation, management and preservation of information and in the development of information literacy. Our graduates provide the necessary link between the information resources, whether physical or digital, and the users of that information. In addition, many graduates will become involved in the management of people and resources and will require knowledge of modern management techniques.

To view a full list of the specialisations available please click here.

Professional recognition

Graduates of the Master degree and/or Graduate Diploma may be admitted to Associate (professional) Membership of the Australian Library and Information Association (ALIA) without further examination.

Graduates of the Master of Information Studies (Records and Archives Management) are eligible for professional membership of the Australian Society of Archivists (ASA).

Records and Information Management Professionals Australasia (RIMPA) has accredited the Master degree, Graduate Diploma, and Graduate Certificate.

Professionals teaching you

This course is taught by dedicated professionals with a wide range of industry experience in the information field.

Facilities

To support the development of your knowledge and skills in contemporary information practice, our learning support systems include:

• modern IT facilities with the latest information management software
• a focus on providing access to support and resources through the internet, email, leading edge online learning platforms and Web 2.0 technologies
• comprehensive and dedicated online library services
• access to experienced learning skills support staff
• highly qualified and responsive academic staff.

Practical experience

There is a professional study visit subject, comprising four days of visits to a range of information agencies, and a three-week professional placement.

Residential schools

There are no residential schools associated with this course.

Credit and articulation

Qualified information professionals may receive credit for previous study (see Admission requirements).

The Graduate Certificate, Graduate Diploma and Master degree (with specialisations) are an articulated set of courses, and credit is given in each higher level for subjects completed in the lower level courses.

Access to allowances for study

The Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations (DEEWR) now offers student income support to students undertaking study in a number of professionally-oriented Master by coursework degrees.

Eligible students undertaking approved Master degrees will be able to access Youth Allowance, AUSTUDY, ABSTUDY or Pensioner Education Supplement. To be eligible for student income support through Youth Allowance and AUSTUDY, students will still need to be studying full-time and to satisfy all other Youth Allowance and AUSTUDY program requirements, including personal, parental or partner income tests.  Students who have queries about masters courses and their income support entitlements should contact Centrelink on 13 2490 for further information.

More information from DEEWR

The Master of Information Studies offers specialisations in:

Applied Research  MInfoStud(AppRes)

The Applied Research specialisation enables students to undertake research in an area of Information Studies of their choice, providing close support as they progress through their projects. Students who undertake and complete the specialisation are well equipped to work in a wide range of positions, not only in the Information Science field, but in any organisation that requires independent and original thinkers, who have the ability to create unique solutions to workplace problems. The research specialisation also offers students a pathway to further research training at doctoral level.

Children's Librarianship MInfoStud(ChildLib)

Children’s Librarianship is a new strand in the Master of Information Studies which has been specifically developed for those seeking to work with children in public libraries and other information centres that provide information services to children. Subjects include children’s literature and teacher librarianship.

Community Networking MInfoStud(CommunityNet)

Information and digital connectivity are vital resources for communities in achieving their social, economic and cultural goals in a digital economy. The Community Networking strand of the Master of Information Studies develops information professionals equipped to lead in dynamic social and community information spaces, with skills in social networking and community outreach, project management and the creation of digital content. The aim is to build social capital through online and offline networks, leveraging the potential of technology as a tool for community benefit.

Information Architecture MInfoStud(InfoArch)

The Information Architecture specialisation aims to equip graduates with the skills and knowledge needed to practice as an information architect, or in allied information professions. The specialisation focuses on the design and development of effective websites and intranets across different organisational contexts. Students choose from a range of subjects that cover all facets of information architecture, providing them with a practical understanding of what makes for an optimal user experience.

Information and Knowledge Management MInfoStud(Info&KM)

The Information and Knowledge Management specialisation has been designed for aspiring information professionals who wish to study beyond traditional areas and gain skills working with real clients and live scenarios on relevant and practical assignments in business, government, and other settings. The objective is to produce graduates who understand people, processes, innovations and trends, and can combine this understanding with technology to create, share and use information and knowledge.

Librarianship MInfoStud(Lib)

Librarianship at CSU’s School of Information Studies has been the cornerstone of our success. This specialisation sees students being able to choose from a large number of elective subjects that cater to those students who want to work specifically in libraries, in areas such as reference services, library management, information access, and information delivery. The specialisation benefits from the large number of academic staff whose teaching is informed by extensive experience in libraries.

Library Leadership MInfoStud(LibLship)

Many students coming into the Master of Information Studies program are looking to obtain a management or leadership role within their information workplace. This specialisation focuses on leadership and combines learning that is often used in MBA programs. Students study subjects such as Strategic Library Management, Marketing of Information Agencies, Human Resource Management in Information Agencies, and the increasingly popular skill set, Project Management.

Records and Archives Management MInfoStud(Rec&ArchMgt)

The Records and Archives Management specialisation introduces students to the world of government, corporate, community and personal recordkeeping. It explores international and Australian theory and practice including standards, legislation and ethical issues relating to the management of digital and analogue records. The emphasis is on building knowledge and skills that students can apply in a range of organisational contexts and in a climate of rapid change.

Career opportunities

Graduates of the Master of Information Studies are highly skilled and adaptive information and knowledge professionals. They understand the nature of the information life cycle from creation, through management and use, to preservation; have highly developed information-handling skills; possess the flexibility to adapt to a rapidly evolving environment; have a strong client focus and have the ability to take leadership in developing innovative solutions to the problems posed by the expanding data universe.

Graduates will enter the workforce at the forefront of the evolving information professions. With this background, the range of opportunities open to them is broad, covering public and academic libraries; research, government and corporate information centres; and the cultural heritage sector. Depending on the specialisation studied, graduates may also be qualified to work as information professionals in areas such as records management, archives, information brokerage, knowledge management, information architecture or community information services.

Admission requirements

The minimum entry requirement is an undergraduate degree or equivalent in any discipline. Applicants should also have a basic knowledge and understanding of using personal computers and the internet.

Successful applicants must have substantial access to the internet and a computer during the period they are enrolled in the course in order to complete course requirements.

Master of Information Studies applicants who have a professionally recognised Graduate Diploma in the field of library science or information management may be eligible for a maximum credit of 64 points.

English language proficiency

Applicants will be deemed to have sufficient English proficiency if they:

• have completed all their formal studies in one or more of the following countries; or
• were born in one of the following countries and have completed at least one qualification in one of those countries; or
• have completed senior secondary study or at least one year of full-time University study in one of the following countries: American Samoa, Australia, Canada, Fiji, Ireland, Kenya, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Singapore, Solomon Islands, South Africa, United Kingdom, USA, Zambia
  or
• have successfully completed one year of full-time (or part-time equivalent) post-secondary study at an affiliate institution of the University, with English as the medium of instruction and assessment.

All other applicants must explicitly demonstrate proficiency.

Acceptable tests for English proficiency

Any of the following results, attained within the last two years, can be used to demonstrate English proficiency:

• an Academic IELTS (International English Language Testing System) overall score of at least 6.0, and with no score below 5.5;
• a TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) paper-based score of 550 and TWE of 5.0;
• a TOEFL computer-based score of 213 and Essay Rating of 5;
• a TOEFL internet-based score of 80 for undergraduate and postgraduate coursework programs, and 90 for postgraduate research candidates with a minimum score of 25 in the writing section.
• a Combined Universities Admission Test (CULT) overall score of at least 65;
• a C pass in English at the GCE 'A' level examinations in either Singapore or the United Kingdom;
• completion of the International Baccalaureate diploma with English A2 at higher or sub. Level;
• a C pass in 'Use of English' in the Hong Kong Advanced Level Examination (HKALE);
• completion of the UNSW Foundation Studies Certificate with a C pass in 'Use of English';
• completion of an AQF Certificate IV (including English for Academic Purposes);
• successful completion of at least one year of study in a course at Associate Diploma or Diploma level on the Register of Australian Tertiary Education;
• a score of 155 in the verbal component of the STAT test;
• a Pass grade in the Uniworld English College English for Tertiary Entrance course; or
• IRI Diploma of English.

An applicant who does not otherwise meet the University's requirements may be admitted on the recommendation of the Dean of the appropriate faculty.

Internet access

CSU places great emphasis on services to its students. It is a leader in the provision of online services and, in particular, the use of the internet in the support of teaching, administration and communications with students.

The online environment is so integrated into all aspects of student life and the learning experience at CSU that the University now assumes that all on campus and distance education students at CSU will have ongoing access to an internet connected computer capable of communicating with CSU online systems.

Students enrolled in Information Technology subjects (i.e. with an ITC subject code) may be required to have additional hardware and/or software that is deemed essential for the completion of the learning activities in that subject.

fee-paying
csp
international-distance

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This course is available to commence study in

Session 1; Session 2; Session 3