This course builds on the curriculum of the graduate certificate to provide you with advanced skills and detailed knowledge in a major area of specialisation of particular value to you. You will graduate with advanced skills in using the Internet for research, communication and interaction. These skills, set in the context of your learning about the Internet, will ensure that you are highly capable and employable within Internet-related industries.

You will major in internet communications, internet content management, internet design or internet training and development. Your chosen major will appear in your degree title when you graduate.

Upon successful completion of the Graduate Diploma in Digital and Social Media, you may subsequently enrol in the master degree.

Why study

• Curtin was one of the first universities to offer a degree in Internet studies.
• Many of our staff have received Curtin teaching excellence awards and the founding professor of the course received a national teaching award.
• You will learn to be an independent and successful leader of Internet development. The net is not simply ‘another technology’ but a socially productive, culturally rich and practically successful information and communication environment.
• Our staff and students continue to be contributors to the International Association of Internet Researchers (AOIR). Matthew Allen, one of our academics, is President of this association, and many staff have presented papers at the yearly conference.
• All full-time staff in the Internet Studies area have doctorates and are active researchers into the Internet, publishing in the field and presenting at conferences.

Professional recognition

Our Digital and Social Media program is a member of the Internet Industry Association and the Internet Society (Australia).

Our graduates find work in web design and development, in independent online businesses, and as members of the media industry as it develops to include and prioritise the online world. Because of the open structure of the course, they can add almost any skill or knowledge to their core Internet learning. The course provides graduates with the chance to shape and manage their own careers and become leaders in using and managing the internet in our society.

Our graduates are well positioned to undertake management, operational and policy work concerning the Internet, giving informed advice, making good decisions, and basing their professional work in a deeper understanding of the profound changes that the internet is bringing.

This course will assist your career development and allow you to take up new employment opportunities. You will then be able to help our society harness the technological development of the internet for practical and valuable social uses.