Courses on Knowledge Management

There are a large number of organizations that run short courses on knowledge management. Some of the KM organizations and associations run a set of courses leading to a KM qualification (sometimes 'accredited' by themselves). Below we focus on Diplomas and Master level degree courses run by established universities. As with magazines, one trend noticed over the last few years is the decline in inumbers of KM-specific courses. You can find a more comprehensive list than shown below at KnowledgeBoard, though since this is a 2004 posting some of the courses no longer run.

Masters in Knowledge Management

Sometimes abbreviated MKM, masters courses vary from one year full-time to distance learning. Many course combine knowledge management with another discipline, such as HR.

Hong Kong Polytechnic. This Msc in Knowledge Management is a 1-year full-time or 2-year part-time course. It benefits from a close association with the polytechnic's highy regarded Knowledge Management Research Centre (KMRC).

Cranfield University. MSc in Knowledge Management for Innovation. This full-time or part-ime course benefits from Cranfield's strong links to industry (who provide some speakers) and also its on-site 'decision engineering centre'.

Lancaster University Management School. This MA in Human Resource and Knowledge Management covers HRM, knowledge management and change in organisations. It is a 1-year full-time course.

Victoria University of Wellington. Knowledge management is one the modules on this Master of Information Management Course.

Distance Learning

London Metropolitan University. MSc in Information and Knowledge Management. A combination of distance learning and six 4-day teaching seesions, this course is accredited by the professional body, the Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals (CILIP).

Open University (UK). This 'Managing Knowledge' is just one (optional) module on a distance learning MBA which takes students typically 3-5 years. Good in-depth coverage of the subject, this module requires 8-16 hours a week study over 6 months.

The Tseng College, University of California Northridge. An online MKM course covering a broad gamut of KM topics including information organization, communication, technology, policy and law, and enterprise content management. Due to small numbers of participants, this course is currently on hold.

Kent State University. Their online Master of Science Degree is a 42 credit-hour course, so although you cover a good range of KM topics, you obviously don't get the in-depth exposure that you would on the above full- and part-time courses.

Last updated: 19th April 2011