We offer courses that explore the importance, use, and social and cultural impact of the most important technology of the 21st century: the internet.

You will learn essential skills in online communication, social media management and web media creation, to develop a deeper and richer understanding of how entire cultures have been changed by the internet – from the early internet to today’s mobile web and apps.

These courses are designed for you to acquire the particular skills and knowledge you want, depending on your current employment or personal interests.

You will have the opportunity to focus on the specialist areas of communications and policy, content management, training and development. You’ll also be able to investigate a range of ideas from music streaming to piracy, big data, apps, web play and online communities and identities.

Digital and social media offers stackable courses, with completion of one level providing credit towards the next. You can therefore choose to exit the master degree at the graduate certificate or graduate diploma level.

Students who complete the master degree to a high standard can apply for doctoral-level studies.

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).

The future of digital and social media

Advances in digital technologies have dramatically increased the demand for specialists in digital, social and online information engagement. A deep understanding of digital and social media is the key to success across a range of professions, from media and marketing to policy-making and advocacy.

The rise of social media influencers, big data and online analytics appear daunting at first, but by understanding the contexts in which they have emerged, and what drives these new areas today, the digital and social landscape can be readily understood.

Industries

• Digital content creation
• Social media strategy, management and services
• Education
• Policy and regulation
• Advocacy
• Journalism
• Communications
• Arts and creative industries.