Master of Sustainable Development CU15

External and Online studies

This program is available to international students studying by distance education in their home country.

This program is designed to:

• Develop an understanding of the multiple meanings of sustainability, and the concepts and theories employed in evaluating sustainable options.
• Develop an appreciation and recognition of the diversity of models and options, relating to sustainable development.
• Train students to think systemically and holistically about natural resource management and social and economic development.
• Cater for students from a variety of backgrounds, both educational and professional, and with a wide range of interests.

To satisfy the requirements of this award, students must complete 10 courses or 80 units of credit as outlined below. If students choose the project option, they must complete a project (two courses) as well as three courses from one of the three streams. If they choose the 'no project' option, they must complete three courses from any one of the three streams, and two electives from any of the remaining nine stream courses on offer. The five core courses must be completed within the degree. To provide a foundational basis, the five core courses must be taken before, or concurrently with, others.

For more information please visit the Institute for Sustainable Regional Development website at http://www.isrd.cqu.edu.au .

All students are required to complete:

• 5 compulsory core courses:

• Students can choose between OPTION 1 or OPTION 2

OPTION 1

• Project: None
• Specific stream: 3 courses from one specific stream plus
• Electives: 2 elective courses from any of the streams

OPTION 2

• Project: equivalent of 2 courses

• Specific stream: 3 courses
• Electives: None

Electives can be chosen from:

Natural Resources Stream

Community Stream

Entry

Applicants should have either:

• an undergraduate degree or its equivalent, or
• a Graduate Diploma of Sustainable Development

Applicants who do not have tertiary qualifications may enter the program through the Graduate Certificate and Graduate Diploma of Sustainable Development.

Computing requirements

It is a requirement of enrolment in this program that all students will have access to the Internet.

CQU has many years' experience using online technologies to support and enhance the learning experiences of distance education students.

Distance education is an ideal choice for people who do not live near a campus to complete a course; or for people who wish to combine study with their job, as you may choose when and where you study.

Teaching and learning
External courses are the same as on-campus courses – the only difference is that rather than attend lectures, tutorials and practical classes in person, you study using a variety of other methods.

E-course
E-course is CQU's online teaching and learning environment. It delivers web-based course material and assessment tasks and facilitates communication and collaboration between staff and students.

E-course is being implemented as the university-wide learning management system.

CQU's online environment gives you flexible and convenient access to learning resources and will enrich your learning experiences.

Distance Education Support - CQU Student Association
The Distance Education section of the CQU Student Association website is devoted to information tailor-fitted to the needs of external students.

In particular it contains a wealth of information on the distance education support services offered, including; DE Academic Support Services, DE Advocacy & Support Services and DE Student Services.

Great reasons to study at CQU

• The 2008 edition of The Good Universities Guide awarded CQU seven '5-star ratings' including 5 stars for Graduate Starting Salary, Positive Graduate Outcomes, Cultural Diversity, International Enrolments, Access by Equity Groups, Proportion given credit for TAFE studies and Non-Government Earnings
• The 2007 edition of The Good Universities Guide awarded CQU five '5-star ratings' including 5 stars for Positive Graduate Outcomes, International Enrolments, Cultural Diversity, Proportion of Credit given for TAFE studies and Non-Government Earnings
• The 2006 edition of The Good Universities Guide awarded CQU six '5-star ratings' including 5 stars for Positive Graduate Outcomes, International Enrolments, Cultural Diversity and the Proportion of Credit Given for TAFE studies
• The 2004 edition of The Good Universities Guide awarded CQU six '5-star ratings' including 5 stars for graduate satisfaction, cultural diversity, international enrolments, non-government earnings, entry flexibility and graduate starting salary
• CQU had one of the highest employment rates in Australia for graduates, 81.6% of CQU bachelor degree graduates secured full-time employment within six months of completing their degrees according to the Graduate Careers Council of Australia 'GradStats' data.
• Graduate Council of Australia ranked CQU in Australia's top 10 Universities based on success of our graduates gaining well-paid, full-time employment.
• CQU was recognised as a national centre for excellence winning the IDP Education Australia Exporter of the Year Award, a national award for international education. Over 40% of CQU's students are international students.
  The University reached the national finals of the Australian Export Awards by winning its category of the Premier of Queensland's Export Awards.
• CQU uses innovative, and appropriate models of product delivery that are tailored to site and cultural needs.
• A pioneer of distance education in Australia, CQU is very experienced in the provision of quality distance education to over 7 000 distance education students around the world.