Master of Information Science (Extended)
Postgraduate | CUR-ISE-MAS | 2024
Advanced information management studies and research
Develop advanced technical skills for specialist roles in the information profession. You’ll deep dive into library science, archival science, and records management. Explore changes in information management. Undertake an advanced research project.
- Study method
- 100% online study with practicum placement
- Assessments
- 100% online
- Applications close
- 11 Aug 2024,
- 10 Nov 2024
- Credit available
- Yes
- Duration
- 2 years full time or part time equivalent
- Total subjects
- 14
- Price from
- $40,439
- Available loans
- Australian Higher Education Loan Program (HELP)
Master of Information Science (Extended)
About this degree
On successful completion of this program the learner will be able to:
- apply knowledge of the theory, principles and practices in information science, library science, archival science, and records management
- generate creative and innovative solutions to complex issues facing the information professionals
- access, adapt, and create information and technologies to communicate with diverse stakeholders
- engage in ethical and culturally capable information practices within local, regional and international contexts
- recognise, respect and support diverse cultures and knowledges with particular awareness of Indigenous perspectives
- demonstrate personal autonomy, accountability and collaboration in extended professional practice and/or research that reflects high ethical and moral standards
Master Degrees (Coursework) prepare students to apply advanced knowledge for professional practice, scholarship and further learning corresponding to AQF level 9 qualifications.
This program is designed to enhance technical skill and to provide an understanding of the ways in which the field of information management is developing. The program is designed to provide graduates with a professional qualification in information management or an avenue to upgrade previous qualifications. Areas of study include librarianship, information science, archives and records management.
Recommended study pattern
Year 1:
INF500 Knowledge Organisation and Metadata
INF510 Telling Stories with Data
INF530 Public and Private Records
INFM510 Leading and Managing in Information Environments
INFM520 Critical Information Values
INFM540 Communities and Literacies
INFM560 Libraries as Organisations
INFM570 Archives and Heritage Collections
Year 2:
INF520 Research and Evaluation
INF540 Digital Preservation
Complete 1 subject from the list :
HUMN600 Masters Research Project 1
OR
COM610 Masters Professional or Creative Project
Complete 1 subject from the list:
COM600 Masters Professional Experience
OR
HUMN610 Masters Research Project 2
Choose 2 compulsory option subjects from list:
CHRE501 Introduction to Human Rights and Social Justice
CHRE502 Dialogue across Cultures and Religions
PRM500 Project Management Overview
PRM510 Project and People
PRM530 Project Time Management
PRM550 Project Risk Management
Award requirements
Students must complete 14 subjects and meet the following requirements:
- Complete 10 mandatory core subjects
- Complete 2 subjects selected from option list
- Complete 2 project subjects from project lists
Exit points
A student who has successfully completed the requirements of an approved intermediate award may apply for graduation in that award subject to approval of Head of School/Department. Fees apply. Intermediate awards approved for this course:
- CUR-ARM-GDI Graduate Diploma in Archives and Records Management
- CUR-ILS-GDI Graduate Diploma in Information and Library Science
- CUR-ISC-MAS Master of Information Science
Degrees are usually made up of core subjects and electives. Some degrees include a choice of majors, so you can focus your studies on a specialisation.
This list is a general overview. Download the full Degree Guide for more information.
Transition arrangements are changes that occur when courses are updated or phased out. This happens regularly as part of continuous improvement. It may affect you if you are currently enrolled in this course, or if you plan to use credit from previous study towards it.
2024 Changes
This degree has undergone major changes effective from Study Period 1, 2024.
The following subjects will no longer be offered in 2024:
- INFM600 Advanced Discipline Project 1
- INFM610 Advanced Discipline Project 2
Students who have completed the above subjects will have them counted towards the completion of their degrees.
Where these subjects are removed, they will be replaced by the following subjects offered from 2024:
- HUMN600 Masters Research Project 1
- HUMN610 Masters Research Project 2
In Year 2 of the program, students choose to do:
COM610 Masters Professional or Creative Project and COM600 Masters Professional Experience
OR
HUMN600 Masters Research Project 1 and HUMN610 Masters Research Project 2, along with the listed core and elective units.
HUMN600 Masters Research Project 1 must be studied in an earlier study period to HUMN610 Masters Research Project 2, as it is the pre-requisite.
Master of Information Management students must do the new 100 credit project, i.e. HUMN600 Masters Research Project 1 AND HUMN610 Masters Research Project 2 and cannot do the COM610 Masters Professional or Creative Project AND COM600 Masters Professional Experience.
For assistance with Student Services, please phone 1300 222 888 between 8:30 am to 4:30 pm AWST (Tuesday from 9:30 am), Monday to Friday, or contact Curtin Connect via the Ask Connect Webform.
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- 15
Entry requirements
This is a restricted degree. Subject enrolment is only available to students admitted into this degree.
Applicants require a minimum of a three-year bachelor's degree from a recognised tertiary education provider. This degree relies on technology skills, so applicants must be competent in word processing and the use of the internet, including web browsing software, before starting the degree.
Applicants for a Master Degree (Coursework) are required to meet University academic and English language entry standards; details are provided at Study at Curtin. Subject to the duration of the course applicants usually require a Bachelor Degree or equivalent (and may require relevant work experience), Bachelor Honours Degree, Graduate Certificate or Graduate Diploma. Any specific course entry and completion requirements must also be met.
Credit for Recognised Learning (CRL) is assessed on individual merit and is awarded for different types of learning, for example, studies you have previously completed or for relevant work experience. Students must be admitted in an award degree of study before lodging their completed CRL application, along with all required supporting documentation for a formal assessment. To apply for CRL, please visit the Curtin University website: Credit for Recognised Learning (Advanced Standing)
It is important to note accepted documentation includes scans of the original Transcripts and/or Award Certificate; front and back; in colour; and original size. For further information see the scanned documents and certification requirements and guidelines.
More information about the policies and procedures related to CRL assessment and appealing a CRL assessment outcome can be found in the Credit for Recognised Learning Policy (PDF).
Study method requirements
Fieldwork placements are arranged for both internal and external students. Exemptions may be possible for students with required levels of work experience in libraries or other information services.
Curtin is committed to providing opportunities for students to obtain professional experience during their degree and satisfactory completion of practicums is a requirement. All students undertake two three-week full-time work placements in the core subjects INF520 Research and Evaluation and INF540 Digital Preservation.
Practicums are arranged in your local area by the Practicum Coordinator. Further information is available at: Libraries, Archives and Records Industry practicum placements
Career opportunities
As an information professional you will be well placed to provide advice on how to acquire, organise, access, curate and preserve information as well as being able to contextualise information so it is used ethically and meaningfully. The explosion of personal and organisational information, and expansion of data tracking and recording, requires professionals in key roles within organisations to advise on data privacy, metadata, governance, information literacy, user experience, universal design, digital fluency and data management.
You may pursue a career in:
- Public, state and national libraries
- Academic and special libraries
- Corporate and government records management
- Local, state and national archives
- Family and local history
- Museum archives
- Digital repositories
- Publishing
Professional recognition
Graduates of this degree in Australia may be eligible for membership of the Australian Library and Information Association, Records and Information Management Professionals Australasia, and the Australian Society of Archivists.
Career outlook
- Archivists, Curators and Records Managers:
- $93K to $120K
- Librarians:
- $75K to $93K
Degree FAQs
That's up to you! Because we let you choose when to study online, you can actually pick up and pause study when it suits you. Many universities have a set time you need to complete your degree within. For some this is up to 10 years, and for others there is no limit.
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As a general guide, Commonwealth supported place students have 10 years to finish their undergraduate degree through OUA, However, if you're studying with Griffith University, there's a limit of 8 years to complete your studies. If you want to take a break that lasts more than two study terms, you'll need to apply for a leave of absence. You can apply for a leave of absence for up to 12 months, as long as you complete your studies within the maximum time allowed for your degree.
If you're studying with Macquarie University, with the exception of certain degrees, there's no limit to how long you can take. But, please check with Macquarie Student Administration to be sure.
If you're studying with the University of Adelaide, you have up to 9 years to complete your undergraduate degree and graduate.
If you're studying with La Trobe University and want to take a break of minimum 1 study term, you must apply for leave of absence to avoid being inadvertently withdrawn from your degree.
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Payment options are explained in Fees, and you can contact a student advisor for more information.
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