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.

Applied Research

Children's Librarianship

Community Networking

Information Architecture

Information and Knowledge Management

Librarianship

Library Leadership

Records and Archives Management

Career opportunities

Our graduates 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 work at the forefront of the evolving information professions. 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. Graduates are qualified to work as information professionals in areas such as archives, community information services, information architecture, information brokerage, knowledge management, librarianship and records management.

Credit

Students who have completed study programs in the discipline of Information Studies may receive recognition for prior learning. The qualifications must be no more than five years old to receive the full amount of credit noted below unless work experience covers the shortfall.

Graduate Diploma or Master degree

Students with a Graduate Diploma or Master degree in the Information Studies field will receive credit for a maximum of nine subjects (64 points).

Undergraduate qualification

Students with a three year professionally recognised / accredited undergraduate degree in the Information Studies field will receive credit for a maximum of seven subjects (48 points).

Advanced Diploma of Library and Information Studies

Students with an Advanced Diploma of Library and Information Studies (Library Technician) (2.5 years full time equivalent) will receive credit for a maximum of three subjects (24 points).

Diploma / Associate Diploma of Library and Information Studies

Students with a Diploma / Associate Diploma of Library and Information Studies (Library Technician) (two years full time equivalent) will receive credit for a maximum of two subjects (16 points).

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

The University has minimum requirements for English language proficiency prior to entry to our courses. Some courses also have a requirement for a higher entry or exit level of English proficiency. More information on English language requirements.

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.

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This course is available to commence study in

Session 1; Session 2; Session 3