Master of Applied Business (with specialisations)
Postgraduate
CSU-ABS-MAS 2025Course information for 2025 intake View information for 2024 course intake
Business skills and knowledge direct from industry
Build an innovative approach to real-world business. Boost your career with your choice of specialisation—including digital marketing, negotiation, and business data analytics. Grow strong professional relationships and expand your network.
- Study method
- Online & on-campus
- Assessments
- 100% online
- Credit available
- Yes
- Duration
- 2 years full time or part time equivalent
- Total subjects
- 12
- Available loans
- Australian Higher Education Loan Program (HELP)
Master of Applied Business (with specialisations)
About this degree
Created with industry… for industry-
We convened an advisory panel from across industries to help design this applied business degree – so you get the skills and knowledge industry needs. With members drawn from government, healthcare, education, banking, recruitment, digital media and management consultancy, the panel worked with our subject experts to craft a course that will empower you to solve today’s – and tomorrow’s – business challenges.
Network… digitally.
This applied business course is all about connection. Connecting to challenges facing industry, and with a network of like-minded professionals. You’ll collaborate through a variety of online platforms to share the experience with your fellow students, and forge strong professional relationships with your academics.
Explore real-world solutions
You’ll learn from academics who have a diverse range of experience in finding solutions for business and government. Your academic team will include researchers investigating everything from managing supply chain logistics and creating brand authenticity, to fostering diversity and wellbeing in the workplace.
Choose from a wide range of specialisations: Business Data Analytics, Digital Marketing and Analytics, Fraud and Financial Crime, Global HRM (international only), Industrial Relations and Legal Studies, Leading for Impact, Managing the Organisation, Negotiation and Conflict Resolution, or Project Management.
Take your career to the next level with the Master of Applied Business from Charles Sturt University. Industry-aligned, with a broad range of subjects to choose from, this course is designed to accelerate your business career.
Recommended study pattern
The course consists of four (4) core subjects and eight (8) restricted electives. Students may choose to graduate with one or two specialisations or may complete eight (8) restricted electives to graduate with the generic award, without a specialisation.
Core Subjects
MGT501 Contemporary Management
HRM502 Human Resource Management
HRM552 Organisational Behaviour
MGT553 Project Management OR ITC505 ICT Project Management
Specialisations
Business Data Analytics
Choose 4 subjects (32 points) from the following:
MGM513 Data, Decision Making and Storytelling
MKT563 Big Data and Marketing Analytics
INF461 An Introduction to Data Mgt: Governance, Standards and Ethics
INF463 Introduction to Data Tools and Analytics
ITC573 Data and Knowledge Engineering
ITC516 Data Mining and Visualisation for Business Intelligence
ITC575 Foundations of Big Data Analytics
Digital Marketing and Analytics
Choose 4 subjects (32 points) from the following:
MGI535 Search Marketing
MGI533 Social Platform Marketing
MKT563 Big Data and Marketing Analytics
MKT525 Digital and Social Media Marketing
MGI534 Digital Social Selling
ITC560 Internet of Things
ITC516 Data Mining and Visualisation for Business Intelligence
Fraud and Financial Crime
Choose 32 points from the following:
JST546 Fraud and Financial Crime
JST473 Forensic Accounting, Asset Tracing & Recovery
JST544 Leadership and Strategic Thinking in Crime Control
JST547 Technology and Risk Assessment
MGT580 Forecasting and Risk Assessment
ITC597 Digital Forensics
ITC578 Dark Web
MICRO BUNDLE Financial Crime
JST549 White-Collar Psychopaths (2 pts)
JST550 Dark Markets (2 pts)
JST551 Trade Based Money Laundering (2 pts)
JST552 Dirty Money (2 pts)
Global HRM
Choose 4 subjects (32 points) from the following:
HRM514 Cross Cultural and International HR
INR501 Industrial Relations in Context
HRM528 Strategic HRM
HRM512 Values and Conflict in Organisations
HRM560 Training and Development Environment
Industrial Relations and Legal Studies
Choose 4 subjects (32 points) from the following:
INR501 Industrial Relations in Context
INR502 Contemporary Issues in IR
INR503 Industrial Relations in Practice
INR517 Legal Frameworks of IR
LAW515 Law of Employment
LAW540 Australian Law and Legal System
PHL502 Law, Ethics and Human Rights
Leading for Impact
MGM501 Theory to Practice of Leadership
Plus 24 points from the following:
MGT549 Toxic Leadership
MGT579 Power and Leadership
MGT568 Difference and Leadership
MGT569 The Leadership Challenge
MGT552 Leadership and Social Impact
HRM531 Organisational Politics
MICRO BUNDLE - Management/Leadership
MGM505 Strategic Management (2 pts)
MGM511 Transformational Leadership (2 pts)
MGM502 Leading Change (2 pts)
MGM514 Governance and Decision-Making (2 pts)
Managing the Organisation
Choose 32 points from the following:
MGT510 Strategy and Planning
ACC501 Business Accounting and Finance
MKT501 Marketing for Managers
HRM528 Strategic HRM
MICRO BUNDLE - Management/Leadership
MGM505 Strategic Management (2 pts)
MGM511 Transformational Leadership (2 pts)
MGM502 Leading Change (2 pts)
MGM514 Governance and Decision-Making (2 pts)
Negotiation and Conflict Resolution
Choose 4 subjects (32 points) from the following:
HRM512 Values and Conflict in Organisations
HRM540 Theory of Conflict Resolution
HRM545 Skills of Conflict Resolution
LAW516 Dispute Resolution: Methods and Results
LAW517 Mediation: Processes and Uses
LAW519 Negotiation Skills
Project Management
Choose 32 points from the following
MGT553 Project Management OR ITC505 ICT Project Management
MGT540 Facilitating Change
MGI511 Project Management Fundamentals
MGI530 Business Analysis Foundations
ITE518 Agile Project Management
MGI531 Project Recovery
MGM507 Project and Stakeholder Communication**
MGM508 Agile Project Management and Recovery**
MICRO BUNDLE Project Management
ACC534 Financial Literacy for Decision Makers (2 pts)
MGM503 Motivating and Influencing People (2 pts)
MGM504 Designing, Implementing and Evaluating Projects (4 pts)
** Delivered at Study Centres only
Restricted Electives
ACG508 Accounting Standards, Application and Disclosures
ACG509 Global Perspectives of Accounting
ACG510 Ethical Auditing and Assurance (Risk Based Auditing)
ACG511 Interpreting and Communicating Accounting
ACG512 Data Analysis for Financial Decision-making
ACG513 Contemporary Cost Accounting for Management Decision-making
ACG514 Ethics, Governance and Developments in Accounting Thought
ACG515 Accounting for Strategic Decision-making
ECO511 Economics for Business
FIN535 Strategic and Contemporary Financial Issues
HRM534 Contemporary Issues in HRM
HRM550 Evaluating Human Resources
HRM563 Organisational Development and Workforce Capabilities
ICT506 Topics in IT Ethics
ITC514 Linux Security Administration
ITC539 Android Application Development
ITC542 Networking Fundamentals
ITC544 IT Fundamentals
ITC556 Database Systems
MGM512 Transforming Service Operations
MGT583 Managing for Sustainability
Micro Subjects - 2 points unless noted otherwise
CCI503 Social Media Strategy
CCI507 Data Driven Storytelling
CCI550 Media Production
CCI554 Strategic Event Management
EMG509 Community Disaster Recovery (4 pts)
HSS501 Community Context (4 pts)
HSS502 Inclusive Community Engagement
HSS503 Models of Community Development (4 pts)
HSS504 Building Community Resilience
MGM510 Social Entrepreneurship
Students at the Study Centres and at the Economics and Finance Institute in Cambodia will have a reduced number of specialisations and restricted electives available for selection for their study.
Award requirements
As a Charles Sturt University student, throughout your course you have a responsibility to continue to develop skills in English language, literacy and numeracy as appropriate to your discipline. This ongoing development will enable you to effectively participate in your course and graduate prepared to enter the workforce.
Master of Applied Business (with specialisations) Articulated Set
To graduate students must satisfactorily complete 96 points.
Open Universities Australia is a not-for-profit organisation. You will not pay any fees for using our services.
Indicative first year fee
$32,400
Indicative total fee $64,800
The amounts shown here are indicative for an Australian citizen studying full-time, which is typically 8 subjects per year.
Fees may vary depending on:
- the subjects you choose
- credit from previous work experience
- your eligibility for government funding loans or subsidies such as HECS-HELP or a Commonwealth supported place.
To learn more, go to Fees or contact a student advisor.
Charles Sturt University is Australia’s most experienced online uni, and has the country’s highest graduate employment rate. From agriculture, arts, healthcare and IT, to business, law, social work and teaching—you’ll get the latest skills in your field, and learn from academics who are connected to industry. Add in 24/7 IT support, scholarships and a vibrant student community, and you can take your next, or first, career step with confidence.
Learn more about CSU.
Explore CSU courses.
- QS Ranking 2024:
- 31
- Times Higher Education Ranking 2024:
- 37
How to apply
Charles Sturt University manages enquiries and applications for this degree.
Complete your details and we'll make sure your enquiry is sent to Charles Sturt University who will contact you to discuss this degree.
Don't worry, we're still here to help you - you'll receive a personalised follow-up from an Open Universities Australia student advisor to make sure you have found the right degree for you.
Entry requirements
Applicants are required to have an undergraduate degree from a recognised Australian tertiary institution (or equivalent).
Applicants without a bachelor degree may be admitted to the Graduate Certificate in Applied Business or the Graduate Diploma of Applied Business on the basis of professional attainment and/or work experience. Upon successful completion of the Graduate Certificate or Graduate Diploma, students will be eligible for admission to the Master of Applied Business and receive credit for applicable subjects.
Recognition of prior learning (RPL) and credit for current competencies will be granted to eligible applicants. If you’ve studied before, you may be able to fast-track your postgraduate degree with Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL). If you’ve completed relevant tertiary study, you could be awarded credit for your postgraduate degree. Get in touch to see if you’re eligible for credit based on your previous qualifications or industry experience.
Study method requirements
Some online subjects include a compulsory or optional residential school. These are an opportunity to come on campus for between one and five days for face-to-face learning.
You'll meet your lecturers and classmates, put theory into practice in our facilities, and could take part in anything from exam prep workshops and guest speaker presentations, to lab work and research tutorials
You can also take advantage of our on-campus accommodation, and access specific grants and financial assistance to help you attend.
Career opportunities
Use your specialised knowledge to drive success – in your organisation and your career. Whether as a project manager, a business analyst, a digital marketer, or any number of dynamic roles, you’ll have the confidence and skills to truly make your mark.
Australian job snapshots
Data sourced from Australian Jobs 2023.
Role | Earnings | Employment change |
---|---|---|
Advertising, Public Relations and Sales Managers | Over $120K | Up 18.5% |
Finance Managers | Over $120K | Up 24.7% |
Human Resource Professionals | $75K to $93K | Up 24.6% |
Management Consultants | $93K to $120K | N/A^ |
^ There is no data available