Program Overview

Master of Information Studies (with specialisations) Articulated Set

The Master of Information Studies is designed to reflect the critical importance of information and knowledge management across a wide range of fields and institutions. The course provides students with an in-depth understanding of the creation, evaluation, collection, organisation, utilisation, and dissemination of information. Qualified information professionals play a vital role in facilitating the creation, management, and preservation of information and in the development of information literacy.

Course Overview

The Master of Information Studies is part of an articulated set of courses that includes the Graduate Diploma of Information Studies and the Graduate Certificate in Information Studies. The course aims to equip graduates with the skills and knowledge to function effectively as information specialists in a variety of traditional and non-traditional settings.

Awards

The course includes the following awards:

• Graduate Certificate in Information Studies
• Graduate Diploma of Information Studies
• Master of Information Studies
• Master of Information Studies (Children's Librarianship)
• Master of Information Studies (Community Informatics)
• Master of Information Studies (Data Management)
• Master of Information Studies (Information Architecture)
• Master of Information Studies (Information and Knowledge Management)
• Master of Information Studies (Leadership)
• Master of Information Studies (Librarianship)
• Master of Information Studies (Records and Archives Management)

Course Study Modes and Locations

• Graduate Certificate in Information Studies: Distance Education - Wagga Wagga
• Master of Information Studies: Distance Education - Wagga Wagga, On Campus - SPACE University of Hong Kong

Normal Course Duration

• Master of Information Studies (with specialisations): Full-time 1.5 years (3.0 sessions), Part-time 3.0 years (6.0 sessions)
• Graduate Diploma of Information Studies: Full-time 1.0 years (2.0 sessions), Part-time 2.0 years (4.0 sessions)
• Graduate Certificate in Information Studies: Full-time 0.5 years (1.0 sessions), Part-time 1.0 years (2.0 sessions)

Admission Criteria

• Master of Information Studies (with specialisations): An applicant for admission to the Master of Information Studies shall have a CSU recognised undergraduate degree in any discipline, or qualifications and/or work experience deemed equivalent by the University under the provisions of the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF).
• Graduate Certificate in Information Studies: An applicant for admission to the Graduate Certificate in Information Studies will have a CSU recognised undergraduate degree in any discipline, or qualifications and/or work experience deemed equivalent by the University under the provisions of the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF).

Credit

• Master of Information Studies (with specialisations): Applicants who have any of the following qualifications will be considered for credit as noted:
  • Diploma/Associate Diploma of Library and Information Studies and equivalents from any recognised Registered Training Organisation (RTO) may be eligible for a maximum credit of 24 points.
  • Advanced Diploma of Library and Information Studies and equivalents from any recognised Registered Training Organisation (RTO) may be eligible for a maximum credit of 24 points.
  • A professionally recognised/accredited undergraduate degree in the information studies field from any Australian university may be eligible for a maximum credit of 48 points.
  • A professionally recognised/accredited Graduate Diploma or Masters course in the information studies field from any Australian university may be eligible for a maximum credit of 64 points.
  • Master of Education (Teacher Librarianship) from Charles Sturt University may be eligible for a maximum credit of 48 points.
  • Diploma in Teacher Librarianship or Diploma of Teacher Librarianship from Hong Kong University SPACE may be eligible for a maximum credit of 32 points.

Articulation

The Master, Graduate Diploma, and Graduate Certificate make up an articulated set of courses, and credit is given in each higher-level course for the subjects completed in the lower.

Graduation Requirements

• Master of Information Studies (with specialisations): To graduate, students must satisfactorily complete 96 points.
• Graduate Diploma of Information Studies: To graduate, students must satisfactorily complete 64 points.
• Graduate Certificate in Information Studies: To graduate, students must satisfactorily complete 32 points.

Course Structure

Master of Information Studies

Students must complete 96 points comprising a core of nine subjects (a total of 64 points) and four subjects (32 points) chosen from those listed in the Specialisations.

• Core Subjects:
  • INF404 Foundations for Information Studies
  • INF406 Information Sources and Services
  • INF407 Professional Study Visit (PG) (4 pts)
  • INF408 Professional Placement (PG) (4 pts)
  • INF415 Management of Information Agencies
  • INF425 Describing and Analysing Information Resources
  • INF429 The Information Society
  • INF435 Collections
  • INF447 Research in Practice

Specialisations

Students have the option to complete a general Master of Information Studies degree or specialise in one of the following areas:

• Master of Information Studies (Children's Librarianship)
• Master of Information Studies (Community Informatics)
• Master of Information Studies (Data Management)
• Master of Information Studies (Information Architecture)
• Master of Information Studies (Information and Knowledge Management)
• Master of Information Studies (Leadership)
• Master of Information Studies (Librarianship)
• Master of Information Studies (Records and Archives Management)

Enrolment Pattern

The following enrolment pattern is provided as a guide for a part-time distance education study sequence. Students have the flexibility to vary their study load and enrolment pattern according to their individual needs and subject availability.

Workplace Learning

Please note that the following subjects may contain a Workplace Learning component:

• INF407 Professional Study Visit (PG)
• INF408 Professional Placement (PG)

Accreditation

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; similarly 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.