Degree structure

Degree details

At the completion of this degree students will be able to:

  1. understand the discipline of librarianship, its theoretical underpinnings, ways of thinking and professional approaches; understand and apply in practice established and developing knowledge and professional practice
  2. apply logical and rational processes to analyse the components of an issue; think creatively to generate innovative solutions to librarianship issues, including conservation and preservation
  3. understand the nature of information and how information is created, organised, distributed and used in the Librarianship sector; apply best practice in servicing the needs of information users; locate and evaluate information resources and manage collections effectively
  4. communicate appropriately with information users and colleagues; assess the information needs of information user groups in the Librarianship sector; assess and meet the information literacy needs of a defined user group
  5. assess the impact of emerging technologies on the work of the librarian; learn the technologies relevant to information creation, organisation, dissemination and use; decide on appropriate applications and systems for specific information service needs
  6. apply a range of learning strategies; take responsibility for one's own learning and development; sustain intellectual curiosity
  7. think globally and consider issues from a variety of perspectives; apply relevant international standards, tools and practices to the professional practice of Librarianship
  8. recognise individual human rights, including rights of free access to information; appreciate the importance of cultural diversity and the sensitivities which may be created when disseminating information to diverse user groups; value diversity of language and how this may be fostered in services offered by Librarians
  9. apply as appropriate the professional skills of librarians and other information professionals; work independently and in teams; demonstrate leadership; understand and demonstrate professional behaviour; understand issues in the ethical use of information and demonstrate how ethical practices may be followed in the workplace; understand and apply major tools for information organisation, metadata creation and indexing and recordkeeping throughout the continuum to ensure efficiency and compliance.

Higher Education

Academic

Applicants require an undergraduate degree in another discipline or equivalent from a recognised tertiary institution.

English Proficiency Requirements

Applicants need to meet Curtin’s English Language requirement as all courses are taught in English. If your education courses were not solely in English, as per the International Handbook of Universities or the World Higher Education database, please attach a scanned original copy of English Proficiency Test results. Admission requires an overall International English Language Testing System (IELTS Academic) (or equivalent test) score of at least 6.5 and competence in all test components (IELTS score of 6.0).

Please refer to the 'Minimum English Entry Requirements' document at http://students.curtin.edu.au/local/docs/English_List.pdf.

Practicum placement

Curtin is very committed to professional experience for students and satisfactory completion of practicums is a requirement. All information management students undertake a three-week full time practicum in the core subject, INFM510 Management of Information Services.

The Department of Information Studies' Practicum Coordinator will organise the practicum placement in consultation with you at your State. There will be an email requesting students to submit applications for their placements by the Practicum Coordinator. Lookout for this email and respond accordingly. In the interim, read all you need to know about practicum placements at https://humanities.curtin.edu.au/industry/industry-partnerships/information-studies-practicum/

Applications for Credit for Recognised Learning (CRL) are assessed on a case by case basis according to Curtin University policies which is available at http://policies.curtin.edu.au/local/docs/policy/Credit_for_Recognised_Learning_Manual.pdf.

Students must be admitted in an award degree of study before lodging their completed CRL application, along with all necessary documentation for a formal assessment.

To officially apply for CRL, students need to submit the CRL application form available from http://students.curtin.edu.au/administration/documents/Application_for_CRL.pdf to opencurtin@curtin.edu.au along with supporting documents. Accepted documentation includes scans of the original Transcripts and/or Award Certificate; front and back; in colour; and original size. For detailed scanned documents requirements and guidelines, please visit http://courses.curtin.edu.au/course_overview/admission-requirements/scanned-documents.cfm.

For further information, please contact opencurtin@curtin.edu.au.

This degree is for graduates who wish to gain a professional level qualification in the field of librarianship. Students are introduced to professional principles, attitudes and practice.

Recommended Study Pattern

Students should enrol in INFM120 as a first subject of study.

New pre and concurrent requisites have been implemented in the degree structure to guide student enrolment and to ensure successful study sequence, therefore learning experience.

See the attached Study Plan for the subject sequence for either full-time or part-study enrolment.

Graduate Diploma in Information and Library Studies Study Plan (84, KB)

If you commenced study in the Graduate Diploma prior to 2015, you will continue on with your existing study plan.

Award Requirements

To qualify for the award of Graduate Diploma in Information and Library Studies, students must complete a total of eight subjects.

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