GraduateEnvironmental Science
Master of Environmental Management
Charles Darwin University, Darwin, NT, Australia
About this program
The Master of Environmental Management at Charles Darwin University provides postgraduate education for current and future professionals on the context, principles and practices of environmental management, particularly in the wet-dry and semi-arid tropical ecosystems and arid landscapes of northern Australia, with skills that are highly transferable to other ecosystems. Core units focus on the social context within which environmental management takes place, and the flexibility of specialist electives means the course can be undertaken fully online, on campus, or a combination of both. Small class sizes support close engagement with staff.
Fees & duration
English test scores
Verified cdu.edu.au ↗
Course structure
Study plan in 6 parts
- Core units are Ecology and Management of Tropical Forests and Savannas
- Environmental Planning and Policy and Community Engagement for Biosecurity and Natural Resources Management. These units set the framework for the course as a whole. All SENVM1 students are required to complete at last one statistics or research design unit (Specialist Elective A) that builds on your existing skills - this can be chosen from an advanced or introductory level. Specialist Electives B are chosen from among units listed under clusters headings in: Livelihoods
- Natural Resources Management or Spatial Science. Specialist Elective units have been chosen to complement the content knowledge
- conceptual understanding and skills developed in the Core units. Units including fieldwork may be taken (by students able to attend the relevant field location)
- through their choice of units. This ensures that students gain first-hand knowledge of biologically rich and diverse tropical ecosystems and meet senior professionals active in the field of environmental management as well as CDU academic staff. There is also the opportunity to undertake work integrated learning
- where students include a workplace-based project in their choice of electives. Students can also choose to take intensive units with remote field locations
- and there are often a range of international study opportunities available. The final research project involves supervision by Charles Darwin University research staff
- and other professionals from outside the university as appropriate. After completing the coursework component of the program each student designs
- develops and implements a one semester research project
- under supervision. Projects are developed in collaboration with researchers at CDU or environmental agencies
- exposing students to professional practices in research and management. You may also choose a research project in your workplace. Note: The standard course offering is 2 yrs (4 semesters of study). Applicants with a degree in a directly related discipline
- studied in English
- can apply to enter a 1.5 yr study plan (3 semesters of study). While all candidates enrol into the Master program
- alternative exit points are available after one semester of study (Graduate Certificate) or two semesters of study (Graduate Diploma)
- subject to the candidate completing the required units of study
- Core Units (3 units): Ecology and Management of Tropical Forests and Savannas
- Environmental Planning and Policy
- Community Engagement for Biosecurity and Natural Resource Management
- Specialist Elective A Units (1 unit): Design and Analysis of Biological Studies
- Practical Statistics and Data Reasoning
- Real-World Statistics and Data Reasoning
- Research Methodologies in Education
- Data Analytics and Visualisation
- Advanced Communication and Engagement in Science and Technology (new from 2025)
Specialist Elective B Units (4 - 6 units)
- Fire Ecology and Management
- Natural Resources and Indigenous Livelihoods (intensive)
- Aquatic Resource Management (intensive)
- Tropical Invaders and Biosecurity
- Ecological Restoration and Conservation
- Desert Field Ecology (intensive)
- Field Studies in Northern Australia (intensive)
- Aquatic Resource Management (intensive)
- Wildlife Management
- Advanced Hydrology and Catchment Processes
- Earth Observation
- Environmental Monitoring and Modelling (intensive)
- Geographic Information Systems
- Applied Spatial Analysis for Real-World Problems (title changed 2023)
- Professional Practice in Environmental Management 1 (WIL placement)(unit title change from 2026)
- Professional Practice in Environmental Management 2 (WIL placement)
- Environmental Field Intensives (intensive)
- 20cpResearch/Placement Units (1 - 2 units): Research Thesis
- Elective Units (4 units): Elective units totalling 40 credit points Elective units may be selected from available postgraduate units on offer at the University including: Specialist A and B units not already completed
- or units from other Masters courses at CDU or elsewhere. Students are encouraged to seek advice from the course coordinator on unit selection
Career & PR pathway
Occupations this degree typically leads to, and their skilled-migration list status
Environmental ConsultantANZSCO 234312
On MLTSSL, supporting the 189, 190, and 491. VETASSESS wants a bachelor's or higher in a highly relevant field plus at least a year of relevant post-qualification work. Also on CSOL, additionally supporting the employer-sponsored 482 and 186.
Assessed by VETASSESS
Environmental Research ScientistANZSCO 234313
On MLTSSL, supporting the 189, 190, and 491, via VETASSESS assessment.
Assessed by VETASSESS
Environmental EngineerANZSCO 233915
On both MLTSSL and CSOL, supporting 189/190/491 and the employer-sponsored 482/186.
Assessed by Engineers Australia
List membership changes over time and does not guarantee an invitation. See the skilled occupation lists guide and the points calculator before relying on this for a visa decision.
Admissions
Bachelor's degree (or equivalent) in a related field
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