Master of Information Studies (with specialisations)

Join a global leader in the world of information and library studies with the Master of Information Studies (with specialisations) from Charles Sturt University. Delivered online, this course is available for study anywhere and anytime with the flexibility to choose subjects from a range of specialisations. As Australia's largest provider of information and library studies education Charles Sturt University offers you study opportunities unlike anyone else.

This course is an accredited qualification offering a global gateway into a broad range of employment options in the library, information and cultural sectors. With a four-decade history in developing research and delivering information and library education, Charles Sturt University produces more than half of Australia's specialists in this field.

As a graduate of this course, your range of career opportunities is broad, and includes libraries; research, government and corporate information centres; and the cultural heritage sector.

Work in public libraries and other information agencies to provide effective services for children and youth.

Help plan, organise and lead information management in large and small organisations.

Deliver support in business, government, and other settings and use the latest technologies to create, share and use information.

Deliver programs supporting literacy development or work to support research in academic and research organisations.

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; similary to professional membership of RIM Professional Australasia. Graduates of the Records and Archives Management specialisation may also be admitted to professional membership of the Australian Society of Archivists.

Higher education

A Bachelor’s or Master’s (or AQF equivalent) degree in any discipline.

Work and Life

Work experience at a professional level (as recognised by an accrediting body of the course) of a minimum of 10 years full time equivalence in an information or cultural organisation such as an academic, public, school or corporate library, data or archival centre, government information agency, museum, gallery or other information or cultural organisation will be considered

English Proficiency Requirements

Standard English Language Proficiency (ELP) requirements. Refer to http://futurestudents.csu.edu.au/apply/english-language for the specific requirements. This will apply to both domestic and international applicants. Offer may be conditional on ELP but applicants will be required to provide evidence of meeting these requirements before the start of studies.

Practicum placement

Please note that the following subjects have a Workplace Learning component (online) :

• INF466 - Professional Study Visit (PG)
• INF572 - Professional Placement

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.

Master of Information Studies (with specialisations)

Applicants who have the following qualifications will be considered for credit as detailed below:

A professionally recognised/accredited undergraduate degree in the information studies field from any Australian university - a maximum of 48 points comprising:

Eight (8) Core subjects (48 points):

INF404 Foundations for Information Studies

INF406 Information Sources and Services

INF466 Professional Study Visit (PG) (4)

INF429 The Information Society

INF435 Collections

INF554 Metadata for Resource Discovery

INF571 Planning for Professional Placement (2 points)

INF572 Professional Placement (2 points)

A highly regarded and industry accredited degree, the Master of Information Studies (with specialisations) offers an in-depth understanding of information management in a contemporary context.

Study with global leaders

With Charles Sturt University, you'll study with one of the world's leading providers of education for the information professions. Charles Sturt University has been educating and researching in information and library studies for more than 40 years. This experience means we are uniquely placed to design and deliver a highly effective and engaging online education.

At your place and pace

Combine your studies with professional and personal demands. You can study anywhere and anytime as this course is delivered online and uses the latest tools and technologies to connect you to classmates and teaching staff.

Choose your specialty

You'll have the flexibility to choose subjects from a range of specialisations, each reflecting the need for expertise across diverse sectors and institutions. Specialisations are available in children's librarianship, data management, leadership, information management, records and archives, librarianship and applied research. You can also choose to study a general qualification so that you can take advantage of the array of subjects on offer.

Children’s Librarianship

Support the learning and information needs of children and young adults in public libraries by exploring their literature and planning, developing and implementing tailored collections, services and library programs.

Data Management

Develop skills and knowledge in the planning, infrastructure and governance of data over its life cycle. You’ll also consider a range of issues related to handling data, including privacy; security; and data preservation, storage and distribution.

Information Management

Combine an understanding of people, processes, innovations and trends with technology to create, share and use information in the community.

Leadership

Gain the advanced knowledge you need to be a successful leader in the information industry – from marketing and human resource management to project management and program design.

Librarianship

Develop the knowledge, skills and strategies to become a leader in the information and library sectors. Learn everything from preservation and curation to digital archives and community engagement.

Records and Archives Management

Accredited by the Australian Society of Archivists, this specialisation enables you to learn the technical and managerial skills and knowledge to devise and maintain effective records and archives services across all organisations. These include classification, record keeping, preservation, access frameworks and digital technologies.

Applied Research

Develop advanced research skills, and design and undertake an independent research project as part of your master's. This specialisation also provides a pathway into PhD study.

Recommended Study Pattern

The below information is for new students. Current students should select their subjects by checking the Handbook for the year of their enrolment

Master of Information Studies

Master of Information Studies - Credit Points: 96

The course consists of ten core subjects (64 points) and four restricted elective subjects (32 points) chosen from the restricted electives list or those listed in the Specialisations. Students have the option to complete a general Master of Information Studies degree, or to complete the requirements of one of the specialisations. Available specialisations include Children's Librarianship, Data Management, Information Management, Leadership, Librarianship and, Records and Archives Management.

Essential set - Core subject - Credit Points: 64

INF404 Foundations for Information Studies (8)

INF406 Information Sources and Services (8)

INF415 Management of Information Agencies (8)

INF429 The Information Society (8)

INF435 Collections (8)

INF466 Professional Study Visit (PG) (4)

INF554 Metadata for Resource Discovery (8)

INF567 Research in Practice (8)

INF571 Planning for Professional Placement (2)

INF572 Professional Placement (2)

Essential set - Restricted elective - Credit Points: 32

ETL402 Literature Across the Curriculum (8)

ETL533 Literature in Digital Environments (8)

INF430 Audiovisual Archiving (8)

INF431 Preservation of Audiovisual Materials (8)

INF432 Audiovisual Archiving 2 (8)

INF433 Information Literacy (8)

INF441 Knowledge Management in Practice (8)

INF443 Digital Curation and Preservation (8)

INF449 Research Data Management (8)

INF451 Issues in Bibliographic Access (8)

INF459 Designing and Creating Usable Websites (8)

INF461 An Introduction to Data Management: Governance, Standards and Ethics (8)

INF463 Introduction to Data Tools and Analytics (8)

INF464 Designing and Delivering Programs for User Engagement (8)

INF465 Working with Special and Cultural Collections (8)

INF505 Library Services for Children and Young Adults (8)

INF506 Social Networking for Information Professionals (8)

INF507 Marketing of Libraries and Information Agencies (8)

INF514 Human Resource Management in Information Agencies (8)

INF516 Leadership in Library Services to Children and Young Adults (8)

INF518 Community Histories (8)

INF519 Community Outreach (8)

INF521 Literature and Other Resources for Children and Young Adults (8)

INF522 Project and Event Management (8)

INF527 Records, Archives and Society (8)

INF528 Records and Archives Practice (8)

INF529 Organisational and Personal Records (8)

INF556 Extended Essay in Information Studies (8)

Essential set - Specialisation - Credit Points: 32

Select one specialisation form the following:

Specialisation: Children's Librarianship (32)

Compulsory subject - Credit Points: 24

INF505 Library Services for Children and Young Adults (8)

INF516 Leadership in Library Services to Children and Young Adults (8)

INF521 Literature and Other Resources for Children and Young Adults (8)

Restricted elective - Credit Points: 8

Select one from the following:

ETL402 Literature Across the Curriculum (8)

ETL533 Literature in Digital Environments (8)

INF506 Social Networking for Information Professionals (8)

INF519 Community Outreach (8)

INF464 Designing and Delivering Programs for User Engagement (8)

INF556 Extended Essay in Information Studies (8)

Specialisation: Data Management (32)

Compulsory subject - Credit Points: 24

INF443 Digital Curation and Preservation (8)

INF461 An Introduction to Data Management: Governance, Standards and Ethics (8)

INF463 Introduction to Data Tools and Analytics (8)

Restricted elective - Credit Points: 8

Select one from the following:

INF449 Research Data Management (8)

INF522 Project and Event Management (8)

INF556 Extended Essay in Information Studies (8)

Specialisation: Information Management (32)

Compulsory subject - Credit Points: 16

INF441 Knowledge Management in Practice (8)

INF527 Records, Archives and Society (8)

Restricted elective - Credit Points: 16

Select two from the following:

INF443 Digital Curation and Preservation (8)

INF449 Research Data Management (8)

INF506 Social Networking for Information Professionals (8)

INF522 Project and Event Management (8)

INF528 Records and Archives Practice (8)

INF459 Designing and Creating Usable Websites (8)

INF556 Extended Essay in Information Studies (8)

Specialisation: Leadership (32)

Compulsory subject - Credit Points: 8

Restricted elective - Credit Points: 24

Select three from the following:

INF507 Marketing of Libraries and Information Agencies (8)

INF514 Human Resource Management in Information Agencies (8)

INF522 Project and Event Management (8)

INF556 Extended Essay in Information Studies (8)

Specialisation: Librarianship (32)

Restricted elective - Credit Points: 32

Select four from the following:

INF431 Preservation of Audiovisual Materials (8)

INF433 Information Literacy (8)

INF443 Digital Curation and Preservation (8)

INF449 Research Data Management (8)

INF451 Issues in Bibliographic Access (8)

INF459 Designing and Creating Usable Websites (8)

INF464 Designing and Delivering Programs for User Engagement (8)

INF465 Working with Special and Cultural Collections (8)

INF505 Library Services for Children and Young Adults (8)

INF506 Social Networking for Information Professionals (8)

INF507 Marketing of Libraries and Information Agencies (8)

INF518 Community Histories (8)

INF519 Community Outreach (8)

INF522 Project and Event Management (8)

INF556 Extended Essay in Information Studies (8)

Specialisation: Records and Archives Management (32)

Compulsory - Credit Points: 24

INF527 Records, Archives and Society (8)

INF528 Records and Archives Practice (8)

INF529 Organisational and Personal Records (8)

Restricted elective - Credit Points: 8

Select one from the following:

INF430 Audiovisual Archiving (8)

INF431 Preservation of Audiovisual Materials (8)

INF432 Audiovisual Archiving 2 (8)

INF443 Digital Curation and Preservation (8)

INF518 Community Histories (8)

INF556 Extended Essay in Information Studies (8)

Specialisation: Applied Research (32)

Core subjects - Credit Points: 32

Students intending to take the specialisation will be required to complete all core subjects in the Master of Information Studies with an HDA of at least 5.0

ASH501 Project Proposal (8)

ASH505 Research Methods (8)

ASH510 Research Project (16)

Graduate Diploma of Information Studies [Exit point only] - Credit Points: 64

Upon successful completion of the above core subjects, students are eligible to exit the Masters course with the Graduate Diploma of Information Studies.

Graduate Certificate in Information Studies - Credit Points: 32

Upon successful completion of INF404 Foundations for Information Studies plus any three standard 8-point subjects in the Master of Information Studies course (including those chosen from the specialisation subjects), students are eligible to graduate with the Graduate Certificate in Information Studies.

Graduate Diploma of Information Studies [Exit point only]

Graduate Diploma of Information Studies [Exit point only] - Credit Points: 64

INF404 Foundations for Information Studies (8)

INF406 Information Sources and Services (8)

INF415 Management of Information Agencies (8)

INF429 The Information Society (8)

INF435 Collections (8)

INF466 Professional Study Visit (PG) (4)

INF554 Metadata for Resource Discovery (8)

INF567 Research in Practice (8)

INF571 Planning for Professional Placement (2)

INF572 Professional Placement (2)

Graduate Certificate in Information Studies

Graduate Certificate in Information Studies - Credit Points: 32

On the successful completion of INF404 Foundations for Information Studies plus any three standard 8-point subjects in the Master of Information Studies course (including those chosen from the specialisation subjects), students are eligible to graduate with the Graduate Certificate in Information Studies

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 Information Studies (with specialisations)

To graduate students must satisfactorily complete 96 points.

Exit Points

Graduate Certificate in Information Studies