FAQ - Masters Degree Online Program

Q1: Do people with Degrees earn more?

A: The results from the 2001 Australian Census were as follows:

* The above data was supplied by the Australian Bureau of Statistics and is based on the Average Individual Income of Employed Persons whose Occupation was either Information Technology Manager (ASCO code 1224) or Computing Professional (ASCO code 2231)

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Q2: Who is IT Masters?

A: IT Masters is the commercial organization that initially approached Charles Sturt University (CSU) with the vision of integrating leading IT industry certifications with premier Academic qualifications. IT Masters then worked with CSU to develop the Masters and today undertakes the following functions;

1. Promotes the Masters to the IT industry
2. Supports students studying their industry certification subjects
3. Researches and identifies opportunities to further expand the range of Masters

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Q3: Are the Masters Degree accredited?

A: Unlike many countries in which there is an unconnected system of qualifications, Australian has a single national and comprehensive system of national qualifications which are the basis of the Australian Government Qualifications Framework (AQF). AQF qualifications are endorsed by Australian governments, so an AQF qualification is recognised all around Australia and by other countries.

The AQF was developed to provide a comprehensive, nationally consistent yet flexible framework for all qualifications in postcompulsory education and training. It was introduced in January 1995 and fully implemented by the
year 2000.

All of the qualifications described on this website are fully accredited under the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF). Go to http://aei.dest.gov.au/AEI/QualificationsRecognition/default.htm and http://www.aqf.edu.au/register.htm#university for details.

Q4: Do other universities offer this type of Masters Degree?

A: While there are a number of other Universities and Institutions that offer IT industry certification training as an additional option, we are not aware of any other institution in Australia (or the world) who offer a program where achieving Industry Certifications is an integral and mandatory part of the Masters Degree.

Q5: What is the value of industry certification?

A: Certification Magazine's Annual Salary Survey for 2005 showed that overall, certified professionals enjoyed an average 16.4 percent pay increase from 2004, with 23.4 percent of the respondents earning 25 percent or more in salary than they did in 2004.  In terms of job movement, 29.4 percent of the respondents earned a promotion within the first year of receiving what they consider their primary certification. Among those respondents, 60.4 percent think certification played a significant role in the promotion.

For a full copy of the report, go to http://www.certmag.com/articles/templates/CM_gen_Article_template.asp?articleid=1524&zoneid=224 .

Q6: Why should I study with Charles Sturt University?

A: Charles Sturt University (CSU) is not your average university. It is a multi-campus university with established traditions and a proud record of higher education in Australia for more than a century.

As the largest Australian providers of distance education to overseas students, Charles Sturt University is at the leading edge of the delivery of information technology services. It operates one of the most heavily used mainstream web servers in Australian universities, receiving almost 15 million inquiries to its homepage each year.

The Masters Degrees are delivered via a sophisticated Distance Education model that includes the following components:
Online subject forums: All students have access to dedicated subject forums. Everyone on the Forum studies the same subject in the same timeframe; the Forums allow students to interact with other successful professionals to share ideas, debate issues and learn from each others' experience.
Course materials: A comprehensive range of study materials is delivered via a mixture of paper reference manuals and / or E-Learning. Students also have access to online research libraries and services.
Study guides: A comprehensive week-to-week schedule will be provided to assist students in covering the course materials provided.
Assignments and online tests: These are designed to test the mastery and application of course materials.
Telephone and email support: All subjects receive support from their subject coordinator, who monitors the corresponding online forum and can be contacted via phone or email.

Q7: Does studying via Distance Education provide the same quality of education offered by a traditional campus?

A: Numerous studies have proven that distance learners perform as well or better than their on-campus counterparts. In the book, "The No Significant Difference Phenomenon" by Thomas L. Russell, he cites 355 research reports, papers, and summaries dating back to 1928 that found no significant difference between distance learning and in-class learning. Where a difference was identified, it generally favored the distance-learning student.

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Q8: When can I start?

A: The program is structured to be as flexible as possible as most students undertaking the Masters Degree will have work commitments. There are 3 intakes per year with the closing dates for each trimester being:

• Trimester 1 - 1st December.  Session commences 21st January.
• Trimester 2 - 30th March.  Session commences 12th May.
• Trimester 3 - 20th July.  Session commences 1st September.

Applications to distance education courses are assessed on a continuous basis and offered for the next available intake. Applicants are strongly encouraged to take advantage of this by lodging their application as early as possible.

Q9: Will having a masters degree really make a difference in my career?

A: In our increasingly competitive IT marketplace, employers put greater value on education than ever before. There is limited data about the Australian IT market but according to the U.S. Department of Commerce, university graduates earn an average of 98% more income than non-university graduates. Those with a master's degree earn 170% more. And the gap is widening. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment opportunities will grow fastest for professionals with a university education through the year 2006.

Q10: Why do students enroll in this Masters Degree?

A: Our research has indicated that students have enrolled in the Masters for the following reasons:
1. To obtain a better job
2. For future employment security
3. To obtain qualifications missed out on earlier in their education
4. To receive recognition for experience gained within the field
5. To learn new skills
6. To update current skills
7. For enhanced prestige

Q11: How fast can I complete my masters degree?

A: The normal amount of time in which the masters degree is completed is two years, but the time it actually takes will vary depending on several factors, including whether or not you receive credit and whether you elect to go through an entire program without taking time off between subjects. If necessary, students can take anywhere up to 4 years to complete their course.

Q12: Can students get credit for existing industry certifications?

A: Academic credit is available to students who can provide proof that they have passed relevant industry examinations. Visit http://www.itmasters.com.au/credit.htm for more information

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Q13: Will I have a life while studying?

A: Yes, but it depends on how well you manage your time. If you undertake the recommended 2 subjects per trimester for completion of the masters in two years, you will be advised to spend a minimum of 8 to 12 hours a week studying but the ideal, recommended time per week would be 14 hours. The thing to keep in mind is that most of the subject material will be available to you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, no matter where you roam.

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Q16: Are there Graduation prizes awarded and can I graduate with 'Distinction'?

A: Students who have completed two-thirds or more of their course at Charles Sturt University shall be considered for an award With Distinction. The following from the CSU academic manual refers:

Distinction

Students graduating from eligible courses (see 5.2.1.1 below) who have achieved a grade average of Distinction in their course as measured by a Grade Point Average (GPA) (see 5.2.2 below) shall graduate With Distinction.

5.2.1     Eligibility

5.2.1.1  Eligible Courses

Only students graduating from courses comprising 64 points or more and which are not Honours courses or doctoral programs (including research or coursework professional doctoral programs) shall be considered for an award With Distinction. This includes students graduating with a Bachelor Award from a course which offers an add-on Honours year.

5.2.1.2  Two-Thirds Requirement

Students in eligible courses* who have completed two-thirds or more of their course at Charles Sturt University (ie they have not received credit in more than one-third of their course) shall be considered for an award With Distinction.

Students in eligible courses* who have completed less than two-thirds of their course at Charles Sturt University shall be considered for an award With Distinction if the student has achieved a Distinction-average (or equivalent as determined by the Dean) in their studies for which the credit was granted.

*  Eligible courses are those courses comprising 64 points or more that are not Honours courses (clause 5.2.1.1).

Q17: Can I pursue a PhD / Doctorate after completing the Masters Degree?

A: Yes - provided you have attained at credit average in your Masters Degree you would qualify for candidature for the Doctor of Information Technology. 

NOTE: To achieve a credit average, students must have completed two-thirds or more of their Masters Degree at Charles Sturt University .