The Graduate Certificate in Environmental Management is an 18-unit program offered by the School of the Environment within the Faculty of Science and Engineering.

The course articulates with the 36-unit Graduate Diploma in Environmental Management and the 72-unit Master of Environmental Management, and the sequentially developed topics allow progression through the three awards.

Students who complete the Graduate Certificate normally receive credit for up to 18 units of topics should they choose to proceed to the Graduate Diploma. 

Admission requirements

Applicants must normally hold an approved degree or equivalent qualification from an approved tertiary institution. However, the Faculty Board may, under certain circumstances and subject to specific conditions, admit others who can show evidence of fitness for candidature.

Credit may be granted, on application, for comparable prior studies.

Course aims

The Graduate Certificate in Environmental Management introduces students to contemporary theory and practice in environmental management, and to the study of environmental processes and systems. Students may also undertake some study of environmental economics, philosophy or politics. The course is international in scope, but case study material will draw especially on the experience of Australia and other countries within the Asia-Pacific region.

Learning outcomes

Students who complete the Graduate Certificate in Environmental Management will be able to:

  • demonstrate a basic understanding and appreciation of current issues in environmental management
  • identify most of the main theories, issues and complexities shaping the environment in which contemporary policymakers work
  • demonstrate an understanding of the challenge of environmental management and associated environmental management tools. 

Program of study

To qualify for the Graduate Certificate in Environmental Management, a student must complete 18 units with a grade of P or NGP or better in each topic, according to the program of study below.

A student''s program of study must be prepared by the Program Approver.

Not all topics are necessarily available in a given year.

Core - Year 1 topics

Select 9 units from:

 ENVS7711  Environmental Management  (4.5 units)

Plus one of:

 ENVS8711  Australian Environmental Change  (4.5 units)
 ENVS8781  Skills for Environmental Professionals GE  (4.5 units)

Option - Year 1 topics*

Select 9 units from:

 BUSN9229B  Sustainability and Ethics (4.5 units)
 DVST8701  Sustainable Development GE  (4.5 units)
 ENVS7701  Coastal Management  (4.5 units)
 ENVS8732  Environmental Impact Assessment GE  (4.5 units)
 EASC9700  NCGRT Australian Groundwater School  (4.5 units)
 EASC9772  Groundwater Hydrology  (4.5 units)
 ENVS9731  Public Health Aspects of Water Quality  (4.5 units)
 GEOG8700  Geographical Information Systems GE  (4.5 units)
 GEOG8712  Asian Regional Development GE  (4.5 units)

*Recommended option stream in Applied Population Studies:

 PPHR9701  Population Studies GE  (4.5 units)
 PPHR9762  Applied Population Data Analysis  (4.5 units)
 PPHR9741  Women''s Health and Child Survival  (4.5 units)
 PPHR9742  Population and Environment GE  (4.5 units)
 PPHR9772  Equity and Human Resource Development  (4.5 units)