Graduate Certificate in Environment - Griffith University

Program overview

About this program

The Graduate Certificate in Environment comprises one semester of full-time study or the equivalent in one of the following majors:

• Economics and Policy: One of the most profound challenges faced by society is how to become sustainable. Addressing this challenge has created exciting careers in environmental economics and policy making across the business, government and community sectors. This specialisation provides training in these professions for people who wish to: upgrade their qualifications, change careers, help to make society more sustainable, or undertake further postgraduate study. The programs are designed for graduates from any discipline. The Masters program provides a stepping stone for people who want to move into more senior management positions. The Masters with Honours provides further training in running research projects.
  This specialisation comprises core courses that cover both the nature of environmental issues and responses by government, business and the community and a range of electives drawn from areas such as environmental planning, education, the social sciences and science. An interdisciplinary approach is taken that covers the scientific data, economic tools, management systems, policy making, regulation and community action. Teaching staff have a broad range of expertise and experience and many have won awards for their work. Overall, the Griffith School of Environment has more than 30 years of experience in these areas.
• Education for Sustainability: Education is an essential element in addressing the pressing environmental problems we are currently facing. The Education for Sustainability programs at Griffith University provide students with the knowledge and skills to be effective environmental educators. This program is designed for graduates from any discipline who wish to obtain specialist environmental education training. The Masters with Honours program provides students with the opportunity to develop capacities for independent research by pursuing a research topic under supervision.
  This specialisation gives students the opportunity to learn skills in areas such as reorienting formal education for sustainability, adult and community education, public communication and social change, planning and evaluating projects and environmental education research. The program is taught by an internationally recognised, award-winning team with 30 years experience. The Griffith environmental education program was the first of its kind and continues to be a leading program that attracts students and visiting academics from all parts of the world.
• Environmental Protection: This program is designed for graduates with a science or environmental science degree who wish to obtain specialist skills and knowledge to gain further employment opportunities in the field of environmental protection. Graduates are eligible for membership of the Environment Institute of Australian and New Zealand (EIANZ) and Certification as Environmental Practitioners (CENVP program).
  This specialisation includes advanced studies in environment and population health with a focus on environmental protection and pollution studies, aiming at improving ecological sustainable development outcomes for communities.
• Water Resources: This program is designed for graduates from a science degree who wish to obtain specialist environmental training in water management. The Masters with Honours program provides students with the opportunity to develop capacities for independent research by pursuing a research topic under supervision.
  This specialisation includes studies in environmental flows, riparian restoration and aquatic ecosystem health.

Students completing the Master of Environment undertake one year of full-time study or the equivalent of core courses and electives in their specialisation. On completion of the Masters, eligible students are able to complete a one semester full-time or equivalent dissertation for the award Masters with Honours.

Attendance

The Graduate Certificate in Environment comprises one semester of full-time study or the equivalent in one of the following areas of specialisation. Students completing the Master of Environment undertake one year of full-time study or the equivalent of core courses and electives in their specialisation. On completion of the Masters, eligible students are able to complete a one semester full-time or equivalent dissertation for the award Masters with Honours.

The Water Resources, Economics and Policy, Education for Sustanability and Environmental Protection specialisations are designed to be flexible and suit a range of students preference for study options.

Graduate Certificates may be completed full-time in Semester 1 or part-time over two or more semesters (up to the maximum of 2 years as stiputlated by the University). Core Courses are offered in both on-campus and external modes, so student may study off-campus.

Career opportunities

Students will be equipped with advanced theoretical knowledge and appropriate skills for a range of career opportunities based on their area of specialisation:

• Economics and Policy: equips graduates with the skills and knowledge necessary to work in the areas of environmental economics and policy making. This includes the ability to work in multidisciplinary teams, to contribute to policy making processes, and to run environmental management systems. Further, the Masters programs enable graduates to undertake more senior management roles in these areas. Graduates will be well placed to gain employment in the public sector, business or community organisations.
• Education for Sustainability: equips students with the knowledge and skills to provide environmental education and education for sustainability experiences for all sectors of the community. Graduates have the skills to develop and deliver quality programs for school, community, business, industry and government sectors.
• Environmental Protection: this specialisation reflects the needs of government agencies like the EPA, DNR&W, AQIS and consulting firms to improve environmental management, quarantine and biosecurity outcomes through the development of essential skills in environmental protection policy and practice.
• Water Resources: equips students with multi-disciplinary skills to provide clean water solutions from the catchment to coast. Graduates have the skills to provide leadership in finding and implementing solutions to local, regional and national water resource issues. Students will gain the knowledge and understanding of the essential facts, concepts and principles relating to water resources. Graduates would find employment across a broad range of sectors including local councils and State Government departments dealing with water resources and planning issues, water resource policy and private consulting companies.