Master of Sustainable Practice
Why Study / Key Benefits
The Master of Sustainable Practice at Ara is designed for professionals who want to become leaders in sustainability and drive positive change within their organisations, industries and communities.
Key benefits include:
Interdisciplinary sustainability education: Explore environmental, social, cultural and economic dimensions of sustainability.
Practical problem-solving: Learn to investigate complex sustainability challenges and develop evidence-informed solutions.
Systems thinking: Understand how different parts of organisations, communities and environments interact.
Te Ao M?ori perspectives: Develop an understanding of M?ori worldviews and indigenous approaches to sustainable practice.
Research-based learning: Develop advanced research and inquiry skills through an applied research project.
Industry application: Apply sustainability knowledge to challenges relevant to your existing profession or workplace.
Flexible study: Online learning is designed to fit around professional and work commitments.
Leadership development: Build capabilities to influence organisational decisions, lead sustainability initiatives and manage change.
Multidisciplinary collaboration: Work with professionals from different industries and academic backgrounds.
Further research opportunities: Graduates can consider progression to doctoral study, subject to entry requirements.
Programme Structure and Subjects / Topics
The Master of Sustainable Practice is a 180-credit postgraduate programme comprising Level 8 core and project courses and a Level 9 applied research component.
The published programme structure includes the following courses:
Level 8 courses – 120 credits
1. Confronting Sustainability (MSSP800)
Credits: 15.
Understanding sustainability challenges.
Environmental, social, cultural and economic dimensions of sustainability.
Critical examination of sustainability concepts.
Identifying barriers and opportunities for sustainable development.
2. Change Agency and Sustainable Practice (MSSP801)
Credits: 15.
Leadership for sustainability.
Organisational and community change.
Strategies for promoting sustainable practices.
Influencing individuals and organisations.
Developing capabilities to lead sustainability initiatives.
3. Discipline Specific Special Topic (MSSP802)
Credits: 30.
Specialist sustainability knowledge relevant to the student's discipline.
Applying sustainability principles within a chosen professional field.
Investigating discipline-specific sustainability challenges.
Developing solutions relevant to professional practice.
4. Policy and Sustainable Practice (MSSP803)
Credits: 15.
Sustainability policy.
Governance and decision-making.
Policy frameworks.
Understanding the relationship between policy and sustainable development.
Evaluating sustainability-related decisions.
5. Research and Inquiry (MSSP804)
Credits: 15.
Research methods.
Research planning and inquiry.
Critical evaluation of information.
Evidence-based decision-making.
Developing research skills for sustainability investigations.
6. Multidisciplinary Sustainable Practice Project (MSSP805)
Credits: 30.
Multidisciplinary sustainability projects.
Collaboration across professional disciplines.
Applied problem-solving.
Project planning and implementation.
Developing practical sustainability solutions.
Level 9 course – 60 credits
7. Applied Research Project (MSSP900)
Credits: 60.
Independent applied research.
Identification of a sustainability-related research problem.
Development of research questions.
Collection and analysis of relevant evidence.
Critical evaluation of research findings.
Development of evidence-informed recommendations.
Application of research outcomes to professional practice.
Additional Learning Areas
The programme also covers:
Systems thinking.
Te Ao M?ori and indigenous perspectives.
Sustainability theories and worldviews.
Environmental responsibility.
Social sustainability.
Cultural sustainability.
Economic sustainability.
Sustainability governance.
Organisational transformation.
Community development.
Research communication.
Evidence-informed professional decisions.
Disciplines / Specialisations
The qualification focuses on sustainable practice across multiple professional disciplines rather than offering a fixed list of conventional major specialisations.
Main disciplines include:
Sustainability and sustainable development.
Environmental management.
Social sustainability.
Cultural sustainability.
Business sustainability.
Organisational change and leadership.
Sustainability policy and governance.
Research and innovation.
Community development.
Indigenous and M?ori perspectives.
Sustainable project management.
Potential application areas include:
Business and management.
Healthcare.
Education.
Construction and architecture.
Engineering.
Technology.
Tourism and hospitality.
Primary industries.
Environmental management.
Community development.
Programme Highlights
The Master of Sustainable Practice offers several distinctive features:
Postgraduate Level 9 qualification.
180-credit master's degree.
Full-time duration of 1.5 years.
Flexible online learning.
Part-time study option.
Interdisciplinary sustainability education.
Environmental, social, cultural and economic sustainability perspectives.
Integration of Te Ao M?ori and indigenous perspectives.
Development of systems-thinking capabilities.
Sustainability policy and governance knowledge.
Organisational change and leadership development.
Multidisciplinary applied projects.
60-credit applied research dissertation.
Opportunities to investigate real-world sustainability challenges.
Development of evidence-informed decision-making skills.
Application of learning to existing professional environments.
Potential progression to doctoral study.
Career Outcomes
The qualification is designed to help graduates advance sustainability initiatives in their existing professions or move into positions focused on sustainability, organisational change and strategic development.
Potential career opportunities include:
Sustainability Advisor.
Sustainability Manager.
Project Manager.
Policy Advisor.
Community Development Advisor.
Organisational Change Specialist.
Environmental, Health and Safety Advisor.
Strategy and Planning Advisor.
Programme Manager.
Team Leader or Manager.
Potential employment sectors:
1. Business and Corporate Organisations
Corporate sustainability.
Sustainable business operations.
Environmental and social responsibility.
Sustainability strategy.
2. Healthcare
Sustainable healthcare operations.
Environmental management.
Sustainable resource planning.
3. Education
Sustainability education.
Institutional sustainability initiatives.
Environmental awareness programmes.
4. Local Government
Sustainability policy.
Community development.
Environmental planning.
5. Construction and Architecture
Sustainable construction.
Resource efficiency.
Sustainable building practices.
6. Technology
Sustainable technology development.
Environmental impact management.
Sustainable digital operations.
7. Community and Environmental Organisations
Sustainability advocacy.
Community-based environmental projects.
Environmental management and development.
Latest Updates / Special Requirements
Latest programme information for 2027:
Programme: Master of Sustainable Practice.
Programme code: CH4067.
Qualification level: 9.
Total credits: 180.
Full-time duration: 1.5 years.
Part-time option: Available.
February 2027 start date: 15 February 2027.
Additional intake: July 2027, as listed in the International Mini Guide.
Campus listing: Madras Street, Christchurch.
Delivery: Flexible online learning.
Student visa availability: Ara indicates that the programme may be available for a student visa.
Important programme requirements:
Applicants must meet the academic entry requirements for postgraduate study.
Relevant professional experience is required for applicants entering through the Bachelor's degree pathway.
Applicants must meet the English-language requirements.
Students must complete the 60-credit Applied Research Project.
Students must undertake the required research and multidisciplinary sustainability components.
Students must demonstrate the ability to undertake independent postgraduate-level study.
Important international student considerations:
Confirm the international student enrolment arrangement for online delivery.
Confirm whether any compulsory campus attendance is required.
Confirm the exact July 2027 commencement date.
Confirm the final 2027 tuition invoice.
Confirm whether the applied research project involves any additional research or project-related expenses.
Confirm the final scholarship availability for 2027.
International Student Visa Requirements
International students intending to study the Master of Sustainable Practice in New Zealand may require a Fee Paying Student Visa from Immigration New Zealand.
Ara's programme listing indicates that the qualification may be available for a student visa. However, international applicants must confirm that their particular online study arrangement satisfies Immigration New Zealand's requirements.
Visa eligibility requirements:
Applicants generally need to:
Receive an Offer of Place from Ara, an approved education provider.
Meet the academic requirements of the programme.
Meet the English-language requirements.
Demonstrate sufficient funds to pay tuition fees.
Demonstrate sufficient funds for living expenses.
Meet health and character requirements.
Hold acceptable medical and travel insurance.
Demonstrate genuine intentions to study.
Provide evidence of onward travel or sufficient funds to purchase an onward ticket.
Hold a valid passport.
Financial requirements:
Immigration New Zealand generally requires tertiary students studying for one year or longer to demonstrate access to:
- NZD $20,000 per year for living expenses.
For this 1.5-year programme, students should plan for the applicable living-cost requirement for the full period of study, including a credible funding plan for the second year.
Acceptable financial evidence may include:
Personal bank statements.
Education loan sanction letters.
Scholarship award letters.
Acceptable sponsorship.
Financial undertaking from an eligible guarantor.
Evidence of fixed-term deposits.
Other acceptable financial documents.
For applicants applying from India:
Immigration New Zealand's South Asia financial sponsorship rules generally restrict sponsors and financial undertakings to immediate family members.
The eligible immediate family categories include:
Partner.
Parents.
Siblings.
Grandparents.
Parents-in-law.
Tuition fee payment:
Students must pay tuition fees according to Ara's official invoice and payment instructions.
Ara issues an official fee receipt after payment.
The receipt is used as evidence of tuition payment in the student visa application.
Applicants applying from outside New Zealand may be able to request an Approval in Principle before paying tuition, subject to Immigration New Zealand's requirements.
Visa application fee:
Fee Paying Student Visa: From NZD $850.
Processing benchmark: 80% of applications within 7 weeks.
These fees and processing estimates can change.
Work rights:
Under current Immigration New Zealand rules:
Eligible student visa holders may work up to 25 hours per week during their studies.
Eligible students may work full-time during scheduled holidays.
Work rights depend on the conditions granted on the individual visa.
Important research-degree consideration:
Immigration New Zealand has specific work-rights rules for new applicants studying Master's by Research programmes. This qualification includes a 60-credit applied research component, but that alone does not establish that the entire programme is classified as a Master's by Research.
