Adelaide University
Graduate Certificate in Environmental Policy and Management
- Delivery: Face to Face
- Study Level: Postgraduate
- Duration: 6 months
- Course Type: Graduate Certificate
Gain skills to influence decision-makers and create positive change for communities and ecosystems.
Course overview
The Graduate Certificate in Environmental Policy and Management offers focused training for those eager to make a difference in protecting the planet. Through practical experience and hands-on learning, you’ll develop the skills to tackle real-world environmental challenges.
Learn the fundamentals of environmental management, policy creation and sustainability. Gain insights into how human activities impact natural environments. Explore critical topics on climate change and resource management. Choose exciting electives aligned with your career goals.
You’ll graduate ready to pursue careers as an environmental policy officer, sustainability coordinator or conservation manager. You’ll be equipped to drive initiatives that promote renewable energy, reduce waste and preserve biodiversity – whether in government, industry or the not-for-profit sector.
Key features
- Build advanced communication skills to influence environmental decision-making.
- Learn how to tackle environmental issues like climate change and resource scarcity.
- Develop policies and strategies to address complex environmental challenges.
- Strengthen your creative and critical thinking abilities.
- Choose electives that align with your career goals.
- Use this graduate certificate as a stepping stone towards a graduate diploma or master’s degree.
Key facts
July, 2026
What you will study
Students must complete 24 units comprising:
- 12 units for all core courses.
- 12 units for electives.
Unless otherwise indicated, each course is worth six units.
Core courses
Complete 12 units for the following course:
- Environmental Planning and Governance (UoA) (12 units)
Electives
Complete 12 units from the following program electives:
- Sustainable Cities: Climate Change and Planning
- Applied Spatial Analysis (12 units)
- Environmental Economics and Policy (12 units)
- Cities and Housing
- Sustainable Cities: Planning for Climate Change (12 units)
- Natural Resource Management (UniSA)
- Environmental Impact Assessment (12 units)
- Fundamentals of Public Policy
- The Ethics of War and Peace (PG) (12 units)
- Global Public Health (PG)
- Environmental and Occupational Health (UoA) (PG)
- Communicating Science (PG)
- Research Design and Methods (12 units)
Entry requirements
Admission criteria
To be eligible, an applicant must have achieved at least one of the following minimum entry requirements and demonstrate that they fulfil any prerequisite and essential criteria for admission. In cases where there are more eligible applicants than available places, admission will be competitive with ranks based on the entry criteria.
- A completed bachelor's (AQF level 7) or bachelor's honours (AQF level 8) degree or equivalent from a recognised higher education institution; OR
- A minimum of five years of relevant work experience.
Outcomes
Career outcomes
As a natural resource planner, you can create environmental strategies that promote sustainable land and water use. As a conservation officer, you might work directly on habitat restoration projects. Perhaps you’ll collaborate with Aboriginal communities, ensuring policies respect and protect traditional practices.
You could also be a:
- Corporate Policy Advisor
- Environmental Project Officer
- Corporate Social Responsibility Analyst
- Catchment Advisor
- Sustainability Officer
- Land Resources Professional
Fees and FEE-HELP
Indicative annual fee in 2026: $17,350 (domestic full-fee paying place)
Fee-paying programs require the full tuition fees for your study, which can be deferred partly or in full to a FEE-HELP loan. Where the duration of the program is less than one year, the total cost of the program is displayed.
A student’s fee may vary depending on:
- The number of courses studied per term.
- The choice of major or specialisation.
- Choice of courses.
- Credit from previous study or work experience.
- Eligibility for government-funded loans.
You may also need to pay the student services and amenities fee.
Student fees shown are subject to change. Contact the university directly to confirm.
FEE-HELP loans are available to assist eligible full-fee paying domestic students.