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:
The Master of Sustainable Agriculture aims to promote advanced, critical reflection by:
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 successfully complete 12 subjects including five core subjects (one of which is a 16 point subject) and six elective subjects equating to 96 points. Students will graduate with the award MSustAgric.
Students completing the Master of Sustainable Agriculture may apply for credit into the Doctor of Sustainable Agriculture.
| Study through | Orange |
| Study mode and normal course duration | Master: 2 years full-time 3 years distance education Graduate Diploma: 1 year full-time 2 years distance education Graduate Certificate: 6 months full-time 1 year distance education |
| Course code | Master: Fee paying place: OTOA Commonwealth supported place: ETMA Graduate Diploma: Fee paying place: OTOB Commonwealth supported place: ETDO Graduate Certificate: OTOC Commonwealth supported place: ETGC |
| Fees | Commonwealth supported places Fee paying students may be eligible for FEE-HELP |
| Session available | February/July (Semester basis) |
| Apply through | CSU Admissions Office |
| Study through | Orange |
| Study mode and normal course duration | Master: 3 years distance education Program code: JTMB Graduate Diploma: 2 years distance education Program code: JTOB Graduate Certificate: 1 years distance education Program code: JTGC |
| Fees | Offshore - see fees list |
| Session available | February/July (Semester basis) |
| Apply through | CSU International Admissions |
The course can be studied full-time on Orange Campus or by distance education.
Distance education
The recommended rate of study by distance education is two subjects per semester. Online learning is supported by print, audio and video materials and interaction with academic staff and other students through our extensive online communications system.
The Graduate Certificate in Sustainable Agriculture consists of four subjects, two of which are core and two electives equaling 32 points.
Core subjects
AGR475 Sustainable Agriculture: Issues and Viewpoints
AGR595 Managing Agro-Ecosystems
The Graduate Diploma of Sustainable Agriculture consists of eight subjects,: three of which are core and five electives equalling 64 points.
Core subjects
AGR402 Readings in Agriculture
AGR475 Sustainable Agriculture: Issues and Viewpoints
AGR595 Managing Agro-Ecosystems
The Master of Sustainable Agriculture consists of 12 subjects, five core subject (one of which is a 16 point subject) and six electives equaling 96 points.
Core subjects
AGR402 Readings in Agriculture
AGR475 Sustainable Agriculture: Issues and Viewpoints
AGR580 Research Methods
AGR595 Managing Agro-Ecosystems
AGR610 Sustainable Agriculture Dissertation (16 points)
Graduate Certificate in Sustainable Agriculture
Session 1
AGR475 Sustainable Agriculture Issues and Viewpoints
[ ] Restricted Elective (from the list of Autumn electives)
Session 2
AGR595 Managing Agro-Ecosystems
Plus 1 Elective (from the list of Spring electives)
Graduate Diploma of Sustainable Agriculture
Session 1
AGR402 Readings in Agriculture
AGR475 Sustainable Agriculture Issues and Viewpoints
[ ] Restricted Elective (from the list of Autumn electives)
[ ] Restricted Elective (from the list of Autumn electives)
Session 2
AGR595 Managing Agro-Ecosystems
[ ] Restricted Elective (from the list of Spring electives)
[ ] Restricted Elective (from the list of Spring electives)
[ ] Restricted Elective (from the list of Spring electives)
Master of Sustainable Agriculture
Session 1
AGR402 Readings in Agriculture
AGR475 Sustainable Agriculture Issues and Viewpoints
AGR580 Research Methods
[ ] Restricted Elective
Session 2
AGR595 Managing Agro-Ecosystems
AGR610 Sustainable Agriculture Dissertation
[ ] Restricted Elective (from the list of Spring electives)
[ ] Restricted Elective (from the list of Spring electives)
Session 3
AGR610 Sustainable Agriculture Dissertation
[ ] Restricted Elective (from the list of Autumn electives)
[ ] Restricted Elective (from the list of Autumn electives)
[ ] Restricted Elective (from the list of Autumn electives)
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 in consultation with advice and approval from the Course Coordinator.
Agribusiness/Rural Management
AGB410 Agribusiness Marketing (Spring)
AGB450 Agribusiness Management 2 (Spring)
AGB576 Agribusiness Strategy (Spring)
AGB555 Managing Rural Change (Autumn)
AGR501 Special Topics 1 (Autumn or Spring)
AGR502 Special Topics 2 (Autumn or Spring)
AGR503 Special Topics 3 (Autumn or Spring)
AHT404 Climate Change Impacts, Mitigation and Adaptation (Spring)
MGT580 Forecasting and Risk Management (Trimester subject)
MKT501 Marketing Management (Autumn or Spring)
Agroecosystems Management
AGR501 Special Topics 1 (Autumn or Spring)
AGR502 Special Topics 2 (Autumn or Spring)
AGR503 Special Topics 3 (Autumn or Spring)
AGR512 Property and Catchment Management (Spring)
AGR583 Alternative Agriculture (Spring)
AHT401 Agroecosystems and Human Values (Autumn)
AHT404 Climate Change Impacts, Mitigation and Adaptation (Spring)
PSC410 Weed Science (Spring)
PSC415 Soil Management (Autumn)
PSC420 Water Policy and Management (Spring)
PSC441 Pesticide Management (Autumn)
PSC547 Sustainable Soil Management (Spring)
PSC690 Integrated Pest Management (Autumn)
Irrigation and Water Resource Management
AGR501 Special Topics 1 (Autumn or Spring)
AGR502 Special Topics 2(Autumn or Spring)
AGR503 Special Topics 3 (Autumn or Spring)
AHT404 Climate Change Impacts, Mitigation and Adaptation (Spring)
IRR400 Fundamentals of Irrigation (Autumn)
IRR401 Management of Irrigation Systems (Autumn)
IRR402 Critical Factors in Irrigation (Spring)
IRR403 Irrigation Practice (Spring)
PSC420 Water Policy and Management (Spring)
Cropping Systems Management
AGR501 Special Topics 1 (Autumn or Spring)
AGR502 Special Topics 2 (Autumn or Spring)
AGR503 Special Topics 3 (Autumn or Spring)
AHT404 Climate Change Impacts, Mitigation and Adaptation (Spring)
PSC410 Weed Science (Spring)
PSC415 Soil Management (Autumn)
PSC547 Sustainable Soil Management (Spring)
PSC690 Integrated Pest Management (Autumn)
Extension and Capacity Building
AGR501 Special Topics 1 (Autumn or Spring)
AGR502 Special Topics 2 (Autumn or Spring)
AGR503 Special Topics 3 (Autumn or Spring)
AGR353 Human Ecology (Autumn)
AGB362 Managing Sustainable Development (Spring)
AGB555 Managing Rural Change (Autumn)
AHT401 Agroecosystems and Human Values (Autumn)
AHT404 Climate Change Impacts, Mitigation and Adaptation (Spring)
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.
Applicants to the Graduate Diploma will have completed a Bachelor degree or the Graduate Certificate in Sustainable Agriculture.
Applicants to the Master program will have completed a Bachelor degree or the Graduate Diploma of Sustainable Agriculture.
The following information gives you an overview of studying by distance education.
Course materials
When studying by distance education you may receive:
Distance education students usually study two 8 point subjects per semester. More or fewer subjects may be studied in consultation with the Course Coordinator.
Teleconferencing
Telephone tutorials are used to supplement face-to-face contact between students and academic staff. Conference calls enable several students, either at home or at a common location, to participate in a group tutorial with academic staff.
Direct telephone contact and email
Students are encouraged to maintain direct contact with staff by telephone or email. Office telephone numbers and email addresses will be supplied and telephone answering services are available in the offices of Course Coordinators. Students will also be advised of numbers for the School's central telephone answering and facsimile machines.
Online forums
Students may participate in various forums online, enabling direct and instant contact with staff and other students.
For all inquiries about Charles Sturt University courses, please contact info.csu on:
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Telephone: 1800 334 733 (free call within Australia) |