Course code: 0650
Course leader: Dr Brian McMullin
Introduction
The MA is different from other base-level professional courses in librarianship in Australia, not simply by virtue of its length. The program gives equal emphasis to academic and practical aspects, and it provides both a general education in librarianship and a specialisation in the area of the student's undergraduate major. The element of specialisation is seen as conveying not only a useful expertise but also a base for an understanding of the organisation of a particular branch of knowledge and for the advancement of that knowledge (possibly through research towards a thesis).
This is a professional degree in librarianship open to graduates with a good pass degree (ie normally with at least a credit in the third part of a major sequence) or with an honours degree, a higher degree, or other qualification which the faculty deems to be the equivalent. It is not restricted to graduates in arts. Graduates in science, economics, law or any other discipline which is deemed to be relevant to the study of librarianship are welcome to apply. This is a two-year full-time program, though applications for part-time study will be considered.
The work in the first year consists of ten required subjects in librarianship. Students will relate this study, where appropriate, to the major subject-interest of their first degree. The second year of the program consists of one required subject, two elective subjects, and the writing of a thesis. The elective subjects are chosen from those offered for the Master of Librarianship degree or from appropriate subjects offered in other departments or faculties at Monash or on related campuses. The required subjects are listed below.
Admission requirements
Part I
Applicants for admission must have qualified for a bachelors degree at a satisfactory level at Monash University or at another university or tertiary institution approved by the faculty, normally with at least a credit in the third part of a major sequence.
Part II
Applicants for entry to part two of the course must normally have completed part one or hold a graduate diploma in either archives or records management, with passes of at least credit standard. In special circumstances the faculty may admit to part two an applicant who lacks an appropriate diploma but who has a bachelors degree and considerable professional experience in the field.
Fees for Australian residents
In 1995 the course fee is $4400 for each part of the course, or pro rata per subject.
Duration
The period of candidature will normally be two years for full-time candidates and four years for part-time candidates.
Degree structure
Fieldwork
Students will be required to spend about six weeks working in libraries, or on other appropriate fieldwork. Fieldwork is normally undertaken in the summer between the first and second years of the program. There is an opportunity to be selected to undertake fieldwork at Blackwell's in Oxford, England.
Research seminars
Research seminars, conducted by visitors, staff members and students who are engaged in research, are held weekly. Students in the MA program are expected to attend these seminars regularly during their candidature. Those who are writing theses will be expected to report at a seminar.
First-year program
Required subjects
* LAR4010 Libraries and librarianship
* LAR4020 History of libraries and information agencies
* LAR4030 Issues in librarianship
* LAR4040 History of the book
* LAR4050 Reference services
* LAR4060 Collection management
* LAR4070 Bibliographic organisation
* LAR4080 Bibliographic organisation in automated environments
* LAR4090 Computers in information transfer
* LAR4100 Reference materials
* LAR4110 Professional practice
Second-year program
Required subjects
* LAR5310 Management of library and information services
Elective subjects
Students will select two appropriate subjects from those offered in the Master of Librarianship program; they may substitute for one of these an appropriate subject from another department or faculty.
Thesis
In the second year, students will write a thesis weighted at 25 per cent of the total requirement for the degree.