Master of Arts (Archives and Records)

Important information
Introduction
Admission requirements
- Part one
- Part two
Fees for Australian residents
Duration
Course structure

Important information

Clayton campus

Course code: 0652

Course leader: Associate Professor Sue McKemmish

The Master of Arts (Archives and Records) is offered by the Department of Librarianship, Archives and Records either by coursework (75 per cent) and minor thesis (25 per cent), or by coursework alone. This degree consists of two parts: part one provides a general education in archives and records management; part two provides for specialisations and advanced study and/or research.

Part one of the course provides a first professional qualification accredited by the Australian Society of Archivists. Part two of the program can also be taken as a research masters (100 per cent thesis).

Admission requirements

Part one

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. Applicants should also be able to demonstrate a basic competence in the use of personal computers, including word processing, spreadsheets and basic file management. (Note that the university's Computer Centre offers short courses which will provide appropriate levels of competence.)

Part two

Applicants for admission 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 professional experience in the field. A candidate admitted in special circumstances may be required to undertake up to an additional semester of coursework.

Fees for Australian residents

In 1996 the course fee is $4400 for each part of the course, or pro rata per subject for part-time. Candidates undertaking part two of the program by research (100 per cent thesis) pay HECS fees.

Duration

The course may be completed in a minimum of two years of full-time study or four years of part-time study. Each part requires a minimum of one year full-time study or its part-time equivalent.

Course structure

Part one

Part one of the program normally comprises six required subjects. Full-time students take three subjects per semester. The required subjects are:

LAR4500 Computers in information transfer
LAR4510 Information services (archives and records)
LAR4520 Information sciences and technology (archives and records)
LAR4530 Managing information and cultural heritage resources
LAR4540 Handling recorded information
LAR4550 Literature of archives and records management

Part two

The program normally consists of either:

three elective subjects plus a thesis weighted at 25 per cent of the total requirement of the degree (50 per cent of part two); or
six elective subjects.

Permission may be given for variations involving a more heavily weighted thesis up to 100 per cent of part two. Electives are chosen from those offered by the department or from appropriate subjects in other departments or faculties at Monash. Appropriate electives offered in the department include:

LAR5200 Special topic
LAR5310 Management of library and information services
LAR5410 Preservation of library and archival materials
LAR5440 Source materials for Australian studies
LAR5490 Evaluation and implementation of information systems
LAR5510 Issues in archives and records management
LAR5520 The impact of technology on archives and records management
LAR5530 Managing the records continuum
LAR5630 Community information (archives, records and librarianship)
LAR5640 Business records management
LAR5720 Electronic recordkeeping

Fieldwork and research seminars

Students also undertake six weeks of fieldwork during part one of the course and attend departmental research seminars.

Timetable

Seminars and practical sessions will normally be timetabled during the day, although some early-evening seminars may be arranged. Part-time students in full employment will need a minimum of one half-day work release per week.

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