Master of Sustainable Development
Murdoch University
About
Real change can happen when tomorrow’s sustainable development leaders come together to share their experiences, ideas and insights – and for over a decade our sustainability Masters have been doing just that.
In taking the course, you’ll become part of a much-valued group of sustainability professionals who are making a difference within Australia and around the world.You’ll examine global sustainability challenges and explore inspiring solutions at international, regional and local levels.
You’ll learn about urban and regional sustainability, climate change adaptation, sustainability education and ethics, and take a closer look at sustainability and international development within Asia.You could choose professional-based electives to specialise in project and risk management, ethics, sustainability within businesses, and leading and managing non-government organisations.
You might choose policy-based electives to specialise in environmental impact assessment, environmental policy and energy policy.7 reasons to study a Master of Sustainable Development at MurdochAs you study, you’ll have the chance to build your professional portfolio of work, completing an internship or practical project for academic credit.
Past students have interned with local governments, leading sustainability businesses such as The Forever Project and NGOs such as Perth City Farm.
During your studies, you’ll have the opportunity to attend field trips, tour innovative projects and meet and learn from some of Australia’s leading sustainability professionals.
Field trips range from tours of sustainable farms and businesses within WA’s beautiful south-west region, to award-winning urban redevelopment projects in Perth.
Travel to Indonesia as part of the Study Indonesia Australian Consortium for 'In-Country' Indonesian Studies (ACICIS) program and earn credits towards your Master.
Choose full-time, part-time, on-campus or online options to help you fit study into your working life.
If you’re an international student, you’ll need to study full-time to meet your visa requirements.
Get involved in free workshops and seminars to help you with writing, analysing data, ethics, how to run surveys and research as a postgraduate student.
You’ll be taught by leading academics who are involved in important sustainable development projects within Australia and overseas.
Our experts are working on important development projects, from aid projects in Africa and Asia, to leading sustainability initiatives in the Middle East.
Follow in the footsteps of other Murdoch free-thinkers who are making a difference and leading the sustainability agenda globally and within Australia.
Our graduates have gone on to work at Ikea, Uber and EY.Develop your skillsBuild essential skills and knowledge to meet your career or study goals.
Topics you’ll cover include:Sustainability ecology and communities Community, industry and local government Cultures, communities and sustainability in Asia Climate change adaptation Cities and sustainability Environmental policy for the 21st Century Project and risk managementYour careerYou’ll graduate with the skills, knowledge and professional insights you need to lead sustainable development teams and projects within international and Australian businesses, government agencies, and non-government organisations.Careers could include:Sustainability or Environmental Officer within business or government Community Development Officer Sustainability Consultant Sustainability Educator Eco-preneur (starting and leading green businesses)
Structure
Course Core 48 credit points
Required Units 27 credit points
| Unit code | Unit name | Credit points |
|---|---|---|
| AST650 | Culture, Communities and Sustainability in Asia | 3 |
| COD505 | Community, Industry and Local Government | 3 |
| ENV536 | Education for Sustainability | 3 |
| ENV680 | Climate Change Adaptation: Ecosystems and Societies | 3 |
| SUS512 | Sustainability, Ecology and Communities | 3 |
| SUS523 | Cities and Sustainability | 3 |
| SUS611 | Resilient Regions: People and Practice | 3 |
| SUS632 | Sustainable Development Internship Project | 6 |
Specified Elective Units 21 credit points
Dissertation 21 credit points
Required Units 15 credit points
| Unit code | Unit name | Credit points |
|---|---|---|
| ART604 | Advanced Research Methods | 3 |
| ART610 | Masters by Coursework Research Dissertation | 12 |
Specified Elective Units 6 credit points
| Unit code | Unit name | Credit points |
|---|---|---|
| ENV552 | Comparative Environmental Policy and Law | 3 |
| OR | ||
| ENV556 | Principles of Environmental Impact Assessment | 3 |
| OR | ||
| ENV616 | Environmental Policy for the 21st Century | 3 |
| OR | ||
| MBS589 | Social Enterprise, Social Innovation And Profit For Purpose | 3 |
| OR | ||
| MBS651 | Leading and Managing Nonprofit Organisations | 3 |
| OR | ||
| MBS662 | Business, Society and the Environment | 6 |
| OR | ||
| MBS684 | Managing Strategic Risk and Projects | 6 |
| OR | ||
| MBS687 | Effective Leadership | 3 |
| OR | ||
| PEN591 | Energy Policy | 3 |
| OR | ||
| SWM621 | Ethics and Global Justice | 3 |
| OR | ||
| TLC501 | Communication Skills for Postgraduate Study | 3 |
OR
Project 21 credit points
Required Units 6 credit points
| Unit code | Unit name | Credit points |
|---|---|---|
| ART6401 | Masters by Coursework Research Project | 6 |
Specified Elective Units 15 credit points
| Unit code | Unit name | Credit points |
|---|---|---|
| ENV552 | Comparative Environmental Policy and Law | 3 |
| OR | ||
| ENV556 | Principles of Environmental Impact Assessment | 3 |
| OR | ||
| ENV616 | Environmental Policy for the 21st Century | 3 |
| OR | ||
| MBS589 | Social Enterprise, Social Innovation And Profit For Purpose | 3 |
| OR | ||
| MBS651 | Leading and Managing Nonprofit Organisations | 3 |
| OR | ||
| MBS662 | Business, Society and the Environment | 6 |
| OR | ||
| MBS684 | Managing Strategic Risk and Projects | 6 |
| OR | ||
| MBS687 | Effective Leadership | 3 |
| OR | ||
| PEN591 | Energy Policy | 3 |
| OR | ||
| SWM621 | Ethics and Global Justice | 3 |
| OR | ||
| TLC501 | Communication Skills for Postgraduate Study | 3 |
Entry requirements
Advanced Standing
Everyone has a different path to university so if you’ve already completed formal or informal learning, you could receive advanced standing. Also known as recognition of prior learning, advanced standing can reduce the amount of study needed to complete your degree by giving you credit for certain units.
Formal learning can include previous study in higher education vocational education or adult and community education. Informal learning can include on the job learning, various kinds of work and life experience.
Find out more
This information applies to courses offered at our Australian campuses only. Courses offered at our Dubai, Singapore and Myanmar campuses or delivered by Open Universities Australia may have different requirements.
Institution
