Master of Environmental Management and Sustainability

On successful completion of the program students will have:

1. Applied advanced knowledge and skills in the discipline of environmental management and sustainability across a range of contexts for ethical professional practice or scholarship.
2. Applied critical thinking and reasoning to demonstrate advanced understanding of recent developments in the discipline for professional practice.
3. Solved a range of environmental problems using an evidence based approach by investigating, analysing and synthesising complex information and available resources.
4. Interpreted, justified and communicated environmental management and sustainability concepts, theoretical propositions, methodologies to a variety of specialist or non-specialist audience.
5. Designed, evaluated, implemented, analysed and theorised environmental management and sustainability projects both autonomously and as part of a team using an adaptive management framework.
6. Applied critical thinking and reasoning to demonstrate advanced understanding of environmental legislation, sustainability and climate change policy.

Designed to engage with the broad issues that contemporary societies face in today’s climate, the focus of the program is to integrate theory and practice with interdisciplinary grounding in sustainable policy development and policy implementation, environmental management and impact assessment.

Recommended study pattern

Program requirements and the volume of learning for the Master of Environmental Management and Sustainability are dependent on the student's prior academic qualifications.

1. For entry with a 3 year Bachelor Degree (AQF Level 7) in a discipline other than environmental science, spatial science and/or business management, the volume of learning is 160 units:

• Core courses - 40 units
• Specialisation 1 - 50 units
• Specialisation 2 - 50 units*
• Electives - 20 units*

*Students can count up to 10 units of courses in common between specialisations. If students choose to do this, they must complete a total of 30 units of electives in order to complete a total of 160 units.

2. For entry with A) a 3 year Bachelor Degree (AQF Level 7) with at least a major in environmental science, spatial science and/or business management; or B) a 3 year Bachelor Degree (AQF Level 7) in a discipline other than environmental science, spatial science and/or business management, plus a Bachelor (Honours) Degree or a Graduate Certificate or a Graduate Diploma (AQF Level 8) in a discipline other than environmental science, spatial science and/or business management; or C) a 4 year Bachelor (Honours) degree (AQF Level 8) in a discipline other than environmental science, spatial science, and/or business management; the volume of learning is 120 units:

• Core Courses - 40 units
• Specialisation 1 - 50 units
• Electives - 30 units

*Students can count up to 10 units of courses in common between specialisations. If students choose to do this, they must complete a total of 30 units of electives in order to complete a total of 160 units.

3. For entry with a 4 year Bachelor (Honours) Degree (AQF Level 8) in environmental science, spatial science and/or business management or a 3 year Bachelor Degree (AQF Level 7) plus a Graduate Certificate or Graduate Diploma (AQF Level 8)** in environmental science, spatial science and/or business management, the volume of learning is 80 units:

• Core Courses - 40 units
• Specialisation 1 - 40 units, including all compulsory courses***

With a volume of learning of 80 units, it is not possible to complete a second specialisation.

**Students who have completed a UON Graduate Certificate or Graduate Diploma may be eligible for specified credit based on their previous study. Students who receive specified credit for core courses or specialisation courses must ensure that they complete any remaining core or specialisation courses as well as a total of 80 units. Remaining courses to reach 80 units must be chosen from courses within the Master of Environmental Management and Sustainability.

***Students completing the Business Management specialisation must complete at least 10 units of GSBS courses as part of their specialisation.

Open Universities Australia is a not-for-profit organisation. You will not pay any fees for using our services.

Indicative total fee $27,720

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.

The University of Newcastle is dedicated to outstanding education and research. Their degrees are shaped around global learning, work placements and entrepreneurial opportunities. The university is known as a champion of innovative approaches, striving for a dynamic teaching culture that delivers world-class outcomes. Welcoming students from diverse backgrounds, they focus on equity and developing the next generation of socially-oriented leaders.

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• Students with a 3 year Bachelor degree (AQF Level 7) in a discipline other than environmental science, spatial science, and/or business management are eligible to undertake the 160 unit program.
• Students with a 3 year Bachelor degree (AQF Level 7) in a discipline other than environmental science, spatial science, and/or business management who also hold a minimum of 2 years demonstrable Recognised Prior Learning (RPL) in an area related to environmental science, spatial science, and/or business management will study between 120 and 160 units depending on the volume of RPL received. Applicants must include a CV and a Statement of Service with their application to have their work experience considered for RPL by the Program Convenor or Head of School. These applications will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
• Students with a 3 year Bachelor degree (AQF Level 7) with a major in environmental science, spatial science, and/or business management are eligible to undertake a 120 unit program comprised of 40 units of core courses, one 50 unit specialisation, and 30 units of electives.
• Students with a 4 year Bachelor (Honours) degree (AQF Level 8) in a discipline other than environmental science, spatial science, and/or business management are eligible to undertake a 120 unit program comprised of 40 units of core courses, one 50 unit specialisation, and 30 units of electives.
• Students with a 4 year Bachelor (Honours) degree (AQF Level 8) in environmental science, spatial science and/or business management are eligible to undertake an 80 unit program comprised of 40 units of core courses and a 40 unit specialisation.
• Students with a 3 year Bachelor degree (AQF Level 7) and a Graduate Certificate or Graduate Diploma (AQF Level 8) in environmental science, spatial science and/or business management are eligible to undertake an 80 unit program comprised of 40 units of core courses and a 40 unit specialisation.

All Applicants must demonstrate that they meet the University’s English proficiency requirement:

• IELTS overall minimum - 6.5
• IELTS section minimum - 6.0.

If you wish to apply for credit for studies completed at another institution, or if you are changing programs within the University and wish to transfer your credit to the new program, visit the University's credit website for more information on applying for credit.