Master of Applied Business (with specialisations)

Created with industry… for industry-

We convened an advisory panel from across industries to help design this applied business degree – so you get the skills and knowledge industry needs. With members drawn from government, healthcare, education, banking, recruitment, digital media and management consultancy, the panel worked with our subject experts to craft a course that will empower you to solve today’s – and tomorrow’s – business challenges.

Network… digitally.

This applied business course is all about connection. Connecting to challenges facing industry, and with a network of like-minded professionals. You’ll collaborate through a variety of online platforms to share the experience with your fellow students, and forge strong professional relationships with your academics.

Explore real-world solutions

You’ll learn from academics who have a diverse range of experience in finding solutions for business and government. Your academic team will include researchers investigating everything from managing supply chain logistics and creating brand authenticity, to fostering diversity and wellbeing in the workplace.

Choose from a wide range of specialisations: Business Data Analytics, Digital Marketing and Analytics, Fraud and Financial Crime, Global HRM (international only), Industrial Relations and Legal Studies, Leading for Impact, Managing the Organisation, Negotiation and Conflict Resolution, or Project Management.

Take your career to the next level with the Master of Applied Business from Charles Sturt University. Industry-aligned, with a broad range of subjects to choose from, this course is designed to accelerate your business career.

Recommended study pattern

The course consists of four (4) core subjects and eight (8) restricted electives. Students may choose to graduate with one or two specialisations or may complete eight (8) restricted electives to graduate with the generic award, without a specialisation.

Core Subjects

MGT501 Contemporary Management

HRM502 Human Resource Management

HRM552 Organisational Behaviour

MGT553 Project Management OR ITC505 ICT Project Management

Specialisations 

Business Data Analytics

Choose 4 subjects (32 points) from the following:

MGM513 Data, Decision Making and Storytelling

MKT563 Big Data and Marketing Analytics

INF461 An Introduction to Data Mgt: Governance, Standards and Ethics                                     

INF463 Introduction to Data Tools and Analytics                              

ITC573 Data and Knowledge Engineering

ITC516 Data Mining and Visualisation for Business Intelligence

ITC575 Foundations of Big Data Analytics

Digital Marketing and Analytics

Choose 4 subjects (32 points) from the following:

MGI535 Search Marketing

MGI533 Social Platform Marketing    

MKT563 Big Data and Marketing Analytics    

MKT525 Digital and Social Media Marketing                       

MGI534 Digital Social Selling                  

ITC560 Internet of Things

ITC516 Data Mining and Visualisation for Business Intelligence

Fraud and Financial Crime

Choose 32 points from the following:

JST546 Fraud and Financial Crime                          

JST473 Forensic Accounting, Asset Tracing & Recovery                               

JST544 Leadership and Strategic Thinking in Crime Control

JST547 Technology and Risk Assessment

MGT580 Forecasting and Risk Assessment

ITC597 Digital Forensics

ITC578 Dark Web                         

MICRO BUNDLE Financial Crime

JST549 White-Collar Psychopaths (2 pts)

JST550 Dark Markets (2 pts)

JST551 Trade Based Money Laundering (2 pts)

JST552 Dirty Money (2 pts)

Global HRM

Choose 4 subjects (32 points) from the following:

HRM514 Cross Cultural and International HR  

INR501 Industrial Relations in Context

HRM528 Strategic HRM

HRM512 Values and Conflict in Organisations

HRM560 Training and Development Environment

Industrial Relations and Legal Studies

Choose 4 subjects (32 points) from the following:

INR501 Industrial Relations in Context

INR502 Contemporary Issues in IR

INR503 Industrial Relations in Practice

INR517 Legal Frameworks of IR

LAW515 Law of Employment

LAW540 Australian Law and Legal System

PHL502 Law, Ethics and Human Rights

Leading for Impact

MGM501 Theory to Practice of Leadership                     

Plus 24 points from the following:      

MGT549 Toxic Leadership

MGT579 Power and Leadership

MGT568 Difference and Leadership

MGT569 The Leadership Challenge

MGT552 Leadership and Social Impact

HRM531 Organisational Politics

MICRO BUNDLE - Management/Leadership

MGM505 Strategic Management (2 pts)

MGM511 Transformational Leadership (2 pts)

MGM502 Leading Change (2 pts)

MGM514 Governance and Decision-Making (2 pts)

Managing the Organisation

Choose 32 points from the following:    

MGT510 Strategy and Planning

ACC501 Business Accounting and Finance

MKT501 Marketing for Managers                       

HRM528 Strategic HRM

MICRO BUNDLE - Management/Leadership

MGM505 Strategic Management (2 pts)

MGM511 Transformational Leadership (2 pts)

MGM502 Leading Change (2 pts)

MGM514 Governance and Decision-Making (2 pts)

Negotiation and Conflict Resolution

Choose 4 subjects (32 points) from the following:

HRM512 Values and Conflict in Organisations                    

HRM540 Theory of Conflict Resolution   

HRM545 Skills of Conflict Resolution      

LAW516 Dispute Resolution: Methods and Results              

LAW517 Mediation: Processes and Uses                            

LAW519 Negotiation Skills

Project Management

Choose 32 points from the following

MGT553 Project Management OR ITC505 ICT Project Management

MGT540 Facilitating Change

MGI511 Project Management Fundamentals                    

MGI530 Business Analysis Foundations     

ITE518 Agile Project Management

MGI531 Project Recovery

MGM507 Project and Stakeholder Communication**

MGM508 Agile Project Management and Recovery**            

MICRO BUNDLE Project Management

ACC534 Financial Literacy for Decision Makers (2 pts)

MGM503 Motivating and Influencing People (2 pts)

MGM504 Designing, Implementing and Evaluating Projects (4 pts)

** Delivered at Study Centres only

Restricted Electives

ACG508 Accounting Standards, Application and Disclosures

ACG509 Global Perspectives of Accounting

ACG510 Ethical Auditing and Assurance (Risk Based Auditing)

ACG511 Interpreting and Communicating Accounting

ACG512 Data Analysis for Financial Decision-making

ACG513 Contemporary Cost Accounting for Management Decision-making

ACG514 Ethics, Governance and Developments in Accounting Thought

ACG515 Accounting for Strategic Decision-making

ECO511 Economics for Business

FIN535 Strategic and Contemporary Financial Issues

HRM534 Contemporary Issues in HRM

HRM550 Evaluating Human Resources

HRM563 Organisational Development and Workforce Capabilities

ICT506 Topics in IT Ethics

ITC514 Linux Security Administration

ITC539 Android Application Development

ITC542 Networking Fundamentals

ITC544 IT Fundamentals

ITC556 Database Systems

MGM512 Transforming Service Operations

MGT583 Managing for Sustainability

Micro Subjects - 2 points unless noted otherwise

CCI503 Social Media Strategy

CCI507 Data Driven Storytelling

CCI550 Media Production

CCI554 Strategic Event Management

EMG509 Community Disaster Recovery (4 pts)

HSS501 Community Context (4 pts)

HSS502 Inclusive Community Engagement

HSS503 Models of Community Development (4 pts)

HSS504 Building Community Resilience

MGM510 Social Entrepreneurship

Students at the Study Centres and at the Economics and Finance Institute in Cambodia will have a reduced number of specialisations and restricted electives available for selection for their study.

Award requirements

As a Charles Sturt University student, throughout your course you have a responsibility to continue to develop skills in English language, literacy and numeracy as appropriate to your discipline. This ongoing development will enable you to effectively participate in your course and graduate prepared to enter the workforce.

Master of Applied Business (with specialisations) Articulated Set

To graduate students must satisfactorily complete 96 points.

Open Universities Australia is a not-for-profit organisation. You will not pay any fees for using our services.

Indicative total fee $64,800

The amounts shown here are indicative for an Australian citizen studying full-time, which is typically 8 subjects per year.

Fees may vary depending on:

• the subjects you choose
• credit from previous work experience
• your eligibility for government funding loans or subsidies such as HECS-HELP or a Commonwealth supported place.

To learn more, go to Fees or contact a student advisor.

Charles Sturt University is Australia’s most experienced online uni, and has the country’s highest graduate employment rate. From agriculture, arts, healthcare and IT, to business, law, social work and teaching—you’ll get the latest skills in your field, and learn from academics who are connected to industry. Add in 24/7 IT support, scholarships and a vibrant student community, and you can take your next, or first, career step with confidence.

Learn more about CSU.

Explore CSU courses.

QS World University Ranking 2025, within Australia:

34

Times Higher Education World University Ranking 2025, within Australia:

37

Applicants are required to have an undergraduate degree from a recognised Australian tertiary institution (or equivalent).

Applicants without a bachelor degree may be admitted to the Graduate Certificate in Applied Business or the Graduate Diploma of Applied Business on the basis of professional attainment and/or work experience. Upon successful completion of the Graduate Certificate or Graduate Diploma, students will be eligible for admission to the Master of Applied Business and receive credit for applicable subjects.

Recognition of prior learning (RPL) and credit for current competencies will be granted to eligible applicants. If you’ve studied before, you may be able to fast-track your postgraduate degree with Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL). If you’ve completed relevant tertiary study, you could be awarded credit for your postgraduate degree. Get in touch to see if you’re eligible for credit based on your previous qualifications or industry experience.

Some online subjects include a compulsory or optional residential school. These are an opportunity to come on campus for between one and five days for face-to-face learning.

You'll meet your lecturers and classmates, put theory into practice in our facilities, and could take part in anything from exam prep workshops and guest speaker presentations, to lab work and research tutorials

You can also take advantage of our on-campus accommodation, and access specific grants and financial assistance to help you attend.