In a nutshell
This online Master of Information Studies course will cultivate advanced information and knowledge management skills, including a specialisation.
Students are provided with a comprehensive background in the creation, evaluation, collection, organisation, utilisation and dissemination of information in the contemporary information environment. You’ll be able to choose a specialisation from the following:
- Applied research
- Children’s librarianship
- Community informatics
- Information architecture
- Information and knowledge management
- Librarianship
- Leadership
- Records and archives management
This qualification is recognised by the Australia Library and Information Association (ALIA) and the Records and Information Management Professionals Australasia (RIM Professionals Australasia), enabling graduates to work in a range of library, records and related information sectors.
Practical work placement
This course features an extensive workplace program in order to familiarise students with the practical components of information management. This includes a four-day professional study visit subject and a three-week professional placement.
Shorter programs
If you choose not to study the entire Master of Information Studies degree, you may be able to complete an alternative program. This is beneficial for students who need to develop a specialisation or who prefer not to commit to the whole study period. Depending on the units studied, you may exit with a Graduate Diploma of Information Studies (64 points) or Graduate Certificate in Information Studies (32 points).
What you’ll need
Applicants must meet the following minimum requirements:
- Hold an undergraduate degree in any discipline from an approved tertiary institution
Other attainments or experience may be assessed on a case-by-case basis.
Applications for distance education and postgraduate courses are accepted all year round. Provided you are eligible for admission, your application will be held for consideration in the next available intake.
Subject summary
In this Master of Information Studies, the subjects you will study include:
These core subjects:
- Foundations for information studies
- Information sources and services
- Professional study visit
- Professional placement
- Management of information agencies
- Describing and analysing information resources
- The information society
- Collections
- Research in practice
Students have the option to tailer their course by choosing four subjects under one industry specialisation.
Why Charles Sturt University?

One of the first universities to adopt distance education study, Charles Sturt University (CSU) is Australia's leading university in online education and continues to strive for innovation and excellence in higher learning. With a track record in graduate employment and strong industry contacts, CSU offers relevant training and workplace skills at both an undergraduate and postgraduate level. CSU specialises in a range of industries such as agriculture, viticulture, education, librarianship, allied health and criminology.
Charles Sturt has 16 campuses in the eastern states of Australia. All CSU students can attend any campus for support and to use available facilities. Campus locations include: Albury-Wodonga, Bathurst, Dubbo, Orange, Port Macquarie, Wagga Wagga.
CSU offers a range of student support services, academic learning support and skills development for all its distance education students. Studying with CSU, you will have access to your online subjects, Student Services, the CSU Library, forums and your exam results through student.csu, a personalised online portal.
You will also have entry into CSU Interact, a scholarly environment that connects students and staff online. Each subject you’re enrolled in will have its own subject site housed within CSU Interact, giving you access to learning content, tools and subject forums.