Postgraduate Certificate in River Restoration and Management

What is this course about?

CSU’s Postgraduate Certificate in River Restoration and Management provides specialised training in managing and restoring our rivers. Graduates are employed by state and local government, catchment management authorities and other water agencies to manage and restore rivers and floodplains.

The development of this course was initiated by Land and Water Australia after the identification of an urgent need for improved education and training programs for professionals involved in river management and restoration projects. At present, more than 3,000 rivers need help through riparian management, bank stability, in-stream habitat improvement, channel reconfiguration, stormwater management, fish passage and water quality management.

Graduates of this course possess skills in the prioritisation, design, implementation and evaluation of river restoration projects. Graduates use their knowledge and skills about rivers and floodplains to make sound independent judgements on the overall management of our waterways including the design, implementation and evaluation of restoration projects.

What will I learn?

Graduates have specialised knowledge and skills regarding the biophysical processes associated with Australian rivers and floodplains. They are able to apply this knowledge to make sound independent judgements on how to best manage our waterways, including the design, implementation and evaluation of restoration projects. They are employed by state and local government, catchment management authorities and other water agencies to manage and restore rivers.

More about career opportunities

Why study this degree?

This course is recognised by every water resource management agency in Australia. CSU works in close association with industry, professionals and government to ensure our courses meet and support their needs.

CSU is well-known for its innovative approach to education, offering practical, hands-on courses, supported online to provide our students with accessible, world-class education.

We develop holistic, far-sighted people who help their communities grow and flourish. We give students the ability to influence the world for the better. As a CSU student you will benefit from:

• a course taught by dedicated professionals with many years of collective experience in the field.  Their research output is ranked by the Commonwealth government as being “above world class”
• the opportunity gain practical experience from the very beginning, using state-of-the-art equipment and facilities that emphasise sustainable design
• a library and world-class learning platforms that provide a broad range of literature and learning materials.

Workplace learning

CSU works in close association with industry, professions and government to ensure our courses meet and support industry needs. We contextualise learning in a way that empowers and motivates students, while assisting you to develop key skills and knowledge required for employment, further education and active participation in your communities. CSU provides practical, real world assessment tasks and field trips that are relevant to your future career.

Academic expectations

For each 8 point subject at CSU, students should normally expect to spend between 140-160 hours engaged in the specified learning and assessment activities (such as attending lectures or residential schools, assigned readings, tutorial assistance, individual or group research/study, forum activity, workplace learning, assignments or examinations). The student workload for some subjects may vary from these norms as a result of approved course design.

Students will be assessed on the basis of completed assignments, examinations, workplace learning, or other methods as outlined in specific subject outlines.

Where applicable, students are responsible for travel and accommodation costs involved in workplace learning experiences, or attending residential schools (distance education students).

Expectations relating to academic, workplace learning, time and cost requirements for specific subjects are provided in the subject abstracts and in course materials.

Career opportunities

Graduates enjoy a wide range of employment opportunities in river management. Graduates are employed by a range of businesses and companies involved in natural resource management, either as consultants or as staff. They may also find work in government agencies providing management advice at an operational or policy level.

Graduates may work in roles like catchment management, flood modelling and management, infrastructure, irrigation, waste water, water quality or water treatment.

Students choose from a pool of subjects in order to maximise their employment opportunities and achieve their career aspirations.

Admission requirements

Applicants would normally hold a three-year Bachelor degree or equivalent in a relevant discipline or have extensive relevant industry experience to the satisfaction of the Course Director. Students wishing to apply for admission based on relevant industry experience should discuss requirements with the Course Director prior to applying.

English language proficiency

The University has minimum requirements for English language proficiency prior to entry to our courses. Some courses also have a requirement for a higher entry or exit level of English proficiency. More information on English language requirements.

Internet access

CSU places great emphasis on services to its students. It is a leader in the provision of online services and, in particular, the use of the internet in the support of teaching, administration and communications with students.

The online environment is so integrated into all aspects of student life and the learning experience at CSU that the University now assumes that all on campus and distance education students at CSU will have ongoing access to an internet connected computer capable of communicating with CSU online systems.

Students enrolled in Information Technology subjects (i.e. with an ITC subject code) may be required to have additional hardware and/or software that is deemed essential for the completion of the learning activities in that subject.

Apply now

This course is available to commence study in

Session 1; Session 2