Master of Sustainable Agriculture

What is this course about?

The Sustainable Agriculture program is flexible, and designed to meet the needs of agriculture by equipping students with the necessary skills to balance the natural resource, human and economic factors that affect agricultural sustainability.

The Sustainable Agriculture program brings together studies in the three key domains of sustainability: agricultural and natural systems; agribusiness; and the humanities. Through the development of creative and critical perspectives on sustainability, the courses focus on innovative ways of enhancing agriculture for the medium to long term. Graduates are equipped to provide leadership in policy, research and strategic management that is relevant to a wide range of industry contexts. The program allows students to rapidly complete a Graduate Certificate and /or progress through a Graduate Diploma to Master degree, and thence be credited into the Doctorate when entry requirements are met. The course can be studied full-time at Orange Campus or by distance education.

The aim of Graduate Certificate of Sustainable Agriculture is to provide a graduate qualification in sustainable agriculture which will meet the vocational and professional requirements of students. It aims to develop further understanding of topic areas undertaken in a prior qualification, or develop new understanding in areas to broaden the knowledge of students.

The Graduate Diploma in Sustainable Agriculture is designed to meet two needs:

  • for specific vocational purposes, to broaden or develop professional knowledge and skills either already gained in an undergraduate program, or in a new area
  • to promote the acquisition of advanced analytical and problem solving skills and conceptual insight that will enhance the capacity of the candidate to undertake positions of significant responsibility in the chosen field.

The Master of Sustainable Agriculture aims to promote advanced, critical reflection by:

  • promoting the acquisition of advanced analytical and problem solving skills and conceptual insight that will enhance the capacity of the candidate to undertake positions of significant responsibility in their chosen field
  • encouraging excellence in scholarship and / or focused research within the candidate's discipline area.

Campus

Orange

Duration

  • Master:
    • 1.5 years full-time
    • 4 years part-time
  • Graduate Diploma:
    • 1 year full-time
    • 2 years part-time
  • Graduate Certificate:
    • 6 months full-time
    • 1 year part-time

CRICOS code

Master: 065836G
Graduate Diploma: 065835G
Graduate Certificate: 065834J

Graduation requirements

To graduate from the Graduate Certificate in Sustainable Agriculture, students must successfully complete four subjects including two core subjects and two elective subjects equating to 32 points. Students will graduate with the award GradCertSustAgric.

To graduate from the Graduate Diploma of Sustainable Agriculture, students must successfully complete eight subjects including three core subjects and five elective subjects equating to 64 points. Students will graduate with the award GradDipSustAgric.

To graduate from the Master of Sustainable Agriculture students must successful complete 12 subjects including 7 Core subjects (one of which is a 16 point subject) and 4 elective subjects equating to 96 points. Students will graduate with the award MSustAgric.

Course structure

More information about subjects and course structure.


Admission requirements

To study this course, you will need to indicate your likelihood of success through previous studies and other attainments and experience.

Cost of study

When weighing up the costs of study, consider the benefits of having the qualification you need to achieve your personal and professional goals.



Career opportunities

CSU's courses in Sustainable Agriculture are ideal for retraining professionals to redirect or enhance their existing capabilities for a career in the agricultural or agribusiness sectors.

Graduates find careers in advisory and policy/advocacy roles, executive management, agriculture and agribusiness consultancy, the agricultural finance sector, Landcare and catchment management agency roles, natural resource management, agricultural education and training and as rural counsellors.

Students of the Master degree who wish to progress onto a Doctorate in Sustainable Agriculture may be admitted, providing the entry requirements are met. Successful applicants will be eligible to receive credit. The Doctor of Sustainable Agriculture provides further opportunity to undertake rigorous, in-depth and ground-breaking applied research into an aspect of sustainability under the supervision of a member of academic staff. Students graduate with enhanced analytical and creative thinking skills through the application of their learning to real world issues, and become autonomous and self-directed learners who are competent in research areas relating to their choice of study.

*International students must contact the Course Director before selecting restricted elective subjects.

Graduate Certificate

Core subjects

AGR475 Sustainable Agriculture Issues and Viewpoints
AGR595 Managing Agro-Ecosystems

Restricted electives

Plus 2 electives

Graduate Diploma

Core subjects

AGR475 Sustainable Agriculture Issues and Viewpoints
AGR595 Managing Agro-Ecosystems
AGR402 Readings in Agriculture
AGB440 Rural Resource Economics
AGB555 Managing Rural Change

Restricted electives

Plus 3 electives

Masters

Core subjects

AGR475 Sustainable Agriculture Issues and Viewpoints
AGR595 Managing Agro-Ecosystems
AGR580 Research Methods
AGR610 Sustainable Agriculture Dissertation (16pts)
AGR402 Readings in Agriculture
AGB440 Rural Resource Economics
AGB555 Managing Rural Change

Restricted electives

Plus 4 electives

Electives can be from any of the following areas.

Agribusiness/Rural Management

AGB410 Agribusiness Marketing
AGB450 Agribusiness Management 2
MGT580 Forecasting and Risk Management
AGR501 Special Topics 1
AGR502 Special Topics 2
AGR503 Special Topics 3
AGR512 Property Catchment and Management

Irrigation and Water Resource Management

AHT404 Climate Change Impacts, Mitigation and Adaptation
IRR400 Fundamentals of Irrigation
IRR401 Management of Irrigation Systems
PSC420 Water Policy and Management
AGR501 Special Topics 1
AGR502 Special Topics 2
AGR503 Special Topics 3

Cropping Systems Management

AHT404 Climate Change (Impacts and Mitigation)
AGR583 Alternative Agriculture
AGS402 Weed and Pesticide Sciences (PG)
PSC690 Integrated Pest Management
PSC415 Soil Management
AGR501 Special Topics 1
AGR502 Special Topics 2
AGR503 Special Topics 3

Extension and Capacity Building

AHT401 Agroecosystems and Human Values
AHT404 Climate Change Impacts, Mitigation and Adaptation
ASG453 Human Ecology (PG)
AGB462 Managing Sustainable Development (PG)
AGR501 Special Topics 1
AGR502 Special Topics 2
AGR503 Special Topics 3

Enrolment pattern*

*International students must contact the Course Director before selecting restricted elective subjects.

It is recommended that elective subjects be chosen based on those attributes and skills you require to further your chosen pathway or career in sustainable agriculture.

Other subjects within the University may be substituted with the advice an approval of the course coordinator.

Graduate Certificate

Session 1

AGR475 Sustainable Agriculture Issues and Viewpoints
Plus 1 Elective

Session 2

AGR595 Managing Agro-Ecosystems
Plus 1 Elective

Graduate Diploma

Session 1

AGR475 Sustainable Agriculture Issues and Viewpoints
AGR402 Readings in Agriculture
AGB440 Rural Resource Economics
Plus 1 elective

Session 2

AGR595 Managing Agro-Ecosystems
AGB555 Managing Rural Change
Plus 2 electives

Masters

Session 1

AGR475 Sustainable Agriculture Issues and Viewpoints
AGR402 Readings in Agriculture
AGR580 Research Methods
AGB440 Rural Resource Economics

Session 2

AGR595 Managing Agro-Ecosystems
AGR610 Sustainable Agriculture Dissertation
AGB555 Managing Rural Change
Plus 1 elective

Session 3

AGR610 Sustainable Agriculture Dissertation
plus 3 electives (from the list of electives)

Restricted electives

Agribusiness/Rural Management

AGB410 Agribusiness Marketing
AGB450 Agribusiness Mana gement 2
MGT580 Forecasting and Risk Management
AGR501 Special Topics 1
AGR502 Special Topics 2
AGR503 Special Topics 3
AGR512 Property Catchment and Management

Irrigation and Water Resource Management

AHT404 Climate Change Impacts, Mitigation and Adaptation
IRR400 Fundamentals of Irrigation
IRR401 Management of Irrigation Systems
PSC420 Water Policy and Management
AGR501 Special Topics 1
AGR502 Special Topics 2
AGR503 Special Topics 3

Cropping Systems Management

AHT404 Climate Change (Impacts and Mitigation)
AGR583 Alternative Agriculture
AGS402 Weed and Pesticide Sciences (PG)
PSC690 Integrated Pest Management
PSC415 Soil Management
AGR501 Special Topics 1
AGR502 Special Topics 2
AGR503 Special Topics 3

Extension and Capacity Building

AHT401 Agroecosystems and Human Values
AHT404 Climate Change Impacts, Mitigation and Adaptation
ASG453 Human Ecology (PG)
AGB462 Managing Sustainable Development (PG)
AGB555 Managing Rural Change
AGR501 Special Topics 1
AGR502 Special Topics 2
AGR503 Special Topics 3

Articulation

The Master, Graduate Diploma and Graduate Certificate make up an articulated set of courses and credit is given in each higher level course for the subjects completed in the lower level course.

Admission requirements

Graduate Certificate in Sustainable Agriculture

Applicants for the Graduate Certificate in Sustainable Agriculture are required to hold a Bachelor degree. Alternative entry is possible if you can provide evidence of appropriate work-related experience and academic capabilities, to the satisfaction of the Faculty.

Graduate Diploma of Sustainable Agriculture

Applicants to the Graduate Diploma will have completed a Bachelor degree or the Graduate Certificate in Sustainable Agriculture.

Master of Sustainable Agriculture

Applicants to the Master program will have completed a Bachelor degree or the Graduate Diploma of Sustainable Agriculture.

English language proficiency

Applicants will be deemed to have sufficient English proficiency if they:

  • have completed all their formal studies in one or more of the following countries; or
  • were born in one of the following countries and have completed at least one qualification in one of those countries; or
  • have completed senior secondary study or at least one year of full-time University study in one of the following countries: American Samoa, Australia, Canada, Fiji, Ireland, Kenya, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Singapore, Solomon Islands, South Africa, United Kingdom, USA, Zambia
    or
  • have successfully completed one year of full-time (or part-time equivalent) post-secondary study at an affiliate institution of the University, with English as the medium of instruction and assessment.

All other applicants must explicitly demonstrate proficiency.

Acceptable tests for English proficiency

Any of the following results, attained within the last two years, can be used to demonstrate English proficiency:

  • an Academic IELTS (International English Language Testing System) overall score of at least 6.0, and with no score below 5.5;
  • a TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) paper-based score of 550 and TWE of 5.0;
  • a TOEFL computer-based score of 213 and Essay Rating of 5;
  • a TOEFL internet-based score of 80 for undergraduate and postgraduate coursework programs, and 90 for postgraduate research candidates with a minimum score of 25 in the writing section.
  • a Combined Universities Admission Test (CULT) overall score of at least 65;
  • a C pass in English at the GCE 'A' level examinations in either Singapore or the United Kingdom;
  • completion of the International Baccalaureate diploma with English A2 at higher or sub. Level;
  • a C pass in 'Use of English' in the Hong Kong Advanced Level Examination (HKALE);
  • completion of the UNSW Foundation Studies Certificate with a C pass in 'Use of English';
  • completion of an AQF Certificate IV (including English for Academic Purposes);
  • successful completion of at least one year of study in a course at Associate Diploma or Diploma level on the Register of Australian Tertiary Education;
  • a score of 155 in the verbal component of the STAT test;
  • a Pass grade in the Uniworld English College English for Tertiary Entrance course; or
  • IRI Diploma of English.

An applicant who does not otherwise meet the University's requirements may be admitted on the recommendation of the Dean of the appropriate faculty.

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.

fee-paying
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international-oncampus

 

 

 

 

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This course is available to commence study in

Session 1; Session 2

Australian and New Zealand students

Apply online

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