The Master of Environment and Sustainability

When you choose Monash, you aren't just choosing Monash.

You'll also become part of a culture dedicated to working on the planet's biggest challenges. From biosecurity to global economic development, we're working on it. You'll also benefit from a truly multidisciplinary course that harnesses the expertise of Monash Arts, Science, School of Business and the Monash Sustainable Development Institute (MSDI).

MSDI hosts the Sustainable Development Solutions Network for the Australia/Pacific region, and our chair, Professor John Thwaites, is one of the network's regional leaders.The network's job is to support the implementation of the UN's global Sustainable Development Goals.

“Achieving the global commitments of the Sustainable Development Goals and the Paris Agreement requires leadership. We need people who are prepared to lead the way, who want to innovate, and are able to shape the conditions needed for positive change. We bring together individuals from diverse disciplines to generate new solutions and develop their leadership abilities for exerting influence and effecting change for sustainable development. This Masters prepares you for a job in a changing, complex world and creates a new generation of interdisciplinary professionals who are able to drive pathways for securing equitable outcomes for people and planet”.

- Dr Annette Bos
Senior Lecturer, Manager of Sustainable Development Education (MSDI) and specialisation coordinator for Leadership for Sustainable Development

“Environmental management is as much about politics as it is about science. And it is as much about human wellbeing as it is about science and politics. People all over the world are suffering severely as a direct consequence of environmental degradation.

But you can cure pessimism. Get involved.

Get your feet dirty.

Get your hands dirty.

Because when you do, you realise that there is an enormous lobby of passionate people out there making a difference in a lot of ways.”

- Associate Professor Melodie A McGeoch
School of Biological Sciences and Course Director

“In this course, you’ll become part of a community of like-minded people, passionate about creating sustainable solutions. Our students and researchers bring different disciplinary and professional backgrounds to the table. We see this as a strength. Complex global problems require interdisciplinary  collaboration. In order to turn your passion into action, you’ll need to understand the different ‘languages’ of scientists, policy-makers, economists, and more. This course will develop your capacity to effectively translate and integrate your niche expertise across disciplines, sectors  and national borders. Get involved.”

- Dr Susie Ho
Lecturer, Course Coordinator, and specialisation coordinator for Environmental Security

"I was a corporate executive in IT and telecommunications when I started to question the ‘business-as-usual’ approach. I wanted to work out how business could better address its environmental, social and economic responsibilities. That's why I became an academic I used my PhD to develop  a model that integrates sustainability into an organisation's core business model.

Sustainable business models envisage organisations as part of a circular economy that mimics nature's processes. Waste streams become inputs to other processes or other organisations. And businesses that pursue a social purpose, such as B Corps. It's the future."

- Associate Professor Wendy Stubbs
Associate Professor and specialisation coordinator for Corporate Environmental and Sustainability Management, Environment and Governance, and International Development and Environment

Feel free to dream big. In the last decade or two, the sustainability job market has been rising rapidly.

This master’s degree will set you up for many meaningful roles. Graduates of this course’s precursor have found jobs in business, in all sectors of government (including quasi-governmental agencies like the Environment Protection Authority), in national and international NGOs, at universities, research centres and think  tanks,  and in consulting.

Obviously, your specific options depend on your specialisation. Choose ‘environment and governance’, and you could implement sustainability strategies, programs or initiatives, analyse environments and develop policy, or advance public  education  and advocacy projects.

If you’re considering the ‘corporate environmental and sustainability management’ specialisation, note that there is a growing demand for sustainability leaders in business. In the US, corporations from General Motors to Google  have  created chief sustainability officer positions in the last couple of years. In Australia, the big four banks are now ranked in the 2016 Global 100 index – the top 100 most sustainable businesses in the world.

‘Environmental security’ directly addresses  the  challenges of global environmental security – energy shortages, loss of biodiversity, extreme temperatures, emerging infectious diseases and food and water insecurity. You’ll graduate with science literacy skills to manage and create policy around using sustainable resources and protecting  the  environment. The specialisation is ideal if you want to work either nationally or internationally with those organisations who are working to ensure life on earth has a future.

Developing nations need a new generation of experts. Our ‘international development and environment’ specialisation will allow you to unpack issues of poverty, disadvantage and environmental change, and equip you to take on leadership roles in organisations that are building human rights, social equity and sustainable development.

The 'Leadership for sustainable development' specialisation, unique in Australia, gives you the skills to influence, persuade, plan and lead transformative change. You'll work more effectively across teams, disciplines and sectors. You'll identify new opportunities and map strategic pathways toward ambitious, innovative projects. Whether you're embedded in a large organisation, small business or creating entrepreneurial projects yourself, this specialisation helps you to create a bigger impact.

Change careers, or move forward in your field.

You won’t waste your previous experience – instead, you’ll build on what you already know and develop a strong platform for the next stage in your career. We’ll also give you credit for relevant qualifications. Credit shortens your course – and, consequently, lowers your  fees.

Our course guide explains all this in detail.

We’re looking for passionate people.

You may be straight out of your undergraduate degree, or you may already be working. Whatever your situation, we want to make graduate study easy.

There are two entry points during the year, so you can choose which will work best for you. You can study full or part-time (full-time only for international students), with many resources available online or after work hours. When you do come to our Clayton campus, you can take advantage  of  our  Graduate Student Hub, with access from 7am to midnight, where you can study solo or as a team. There are many ways we support our graduate students - see the FAQ for more details.