Why Study / Key Benefits

• The MEnvMgmt addresses the growing need to manage environmental resources such as land, water, soil, plants and animals in balanced and sustainable ways.
• It provides advanced knowledge of current land- and water-based environmental management and combines environmental science with policy, economics and social perspectives.
• Students can develop knowledge in environmental assessment, environmental economics, environmental policy, environmental anthropology, participation in environmental management, research methods, literature reviews and project evaluation.
• The programme has an applied and interdisciplinary focus, helping students understand both how natural environments function and how societal values, needs and attitudes interact with ecological systems.
• Massey highlights real-world learning, including regular field trips around New Zealand and opportunities to attend international conferences.
• The qualification can be studied through either an Applied Pathway or Research Pathway, allowing students to develop either professionally oriented environmental-management skills or deeper research capability.
• Massey also states that its environmental-management staff have international academic and organisational connections, supporting exposure to international environmental issues and professional networks.

Programme Structure and Subjects / Topics

The MEnvMgmt has two pathways.

Applied Pathway

Part One includes:

• 30 credits of compulsory courses
• 60 credits from the programme schedule
• 30 credits of electives

Part Two consists of 60 credits of Environmental Research and Data Analysis.

The compulsory component can include:

• 188764 Advanced Environmental Management I – 15 credits
• 188765 Advanced Environmental Management II – 15 credits

These courses develop advanced environmental-management knowledge, project and programme-management skills, critical thinking and understanding of complex human-environment interactions.

Examples of scheduled courses include:

• Environmental Sociology – 30 credits
• Environmental Economic Issues – 15 credits
• Environmental Management Principles and Practice – 15 credits
• Land System Change – 15 credits
• Advanced Zero Waste for Sustainability – 30 credits
• Sustainable Land and Water Management – 15 credits
• Conservation Biology – 30 credits
• Environmental Geographic Information Systems – 15 credits
• Maori Values and Resource Management – 15 credits
• Life Cycle Assessment and Footprinting Principles – 15 credits.

Elective options can include:

• Nutrient Management in Grazed Pasture Systems
• Topics in Agricultural Extension and Consultancy
• Advanced Farm and Horticultural Management
• Emergency Management
• Sustainable Development
• Reframing Human-Nature Relationships in Environmental Planning
• GIS Principles and Applications
• GIS Programming and Practice
• Business and Sustainability
• Advanced Contemporary Issues in Sustainability
• Project Management
• Climate Change Economics and Policy
• Ecology
• Wildlife Management
• Environmental Remote Sensing
• Advanced Geoscience Techniques
• Environmental and Geological Hazards.

Part Two of the Applied Pathway uses:

• 188863 Environmental Research and Data Analysis – 60 credits.

This course involves reviewing environmental-management research, applying research methods and selected statistical techniques, evaluating environmental-management projects and producing a self-directed research report.

Research Pathway

The Research Pathway contains:

• 30 credits of compulsory Part One courses
• 60 credits from the Part One schedule
• A 90- or 120-credit thesis component.

Thesis options include:

• 188881 Thesis 90 Credit Part 1 – 30 credits
• 188882 Thesis 90 Credit Part 2 – 60 credits
• 188888 Thesis – 90 credits
• 188889 Thesis – 120 credits
• 188897 Thesis 120 Credit Part 1 – 60 credits
• 188898 Thesis 120 Credit Part 2 – 60 credits.

Disciplines / Specialisations

The MEnvMgmt is awarded without formal specialisations.

Instead, students can shape their study through course selection in areas such as:

• Environmental management
• Environmental economics
• Environmental policy
• Environmental sociology
• Sustainable land and water management
• Conservation biology
• GIS and environmental geospatial analysis
• Remote sensing
• Life Cycle Assessment
• Sustainability
• Climate-change economics and policy
• Resource management
• Ecology
• Wildlife management
• Environmental hazards
• Maori values and resource management.

Programme Highlights

• NZQF Level 9 master's qualification.
• 180-credit programme.
• 1.5 years full-time standard duration.
• Applied and Research pathways.
• Distance/online and Manawat? Campus study options.
• Interdisciplinary approach combining environmental science, economics, policy and social perspectives.
• Coverage of GIS, remote sensing, life-cycle assessment and other environmental-management tools.
• Field-trip opportunities in New Zealand.
• International conference opportunities.
• Option to undertake substantial independent environmental research through the Research Pathway.

Career Outcomes

Massey identifies environmental management as an area with career opportunities in New Zealand and internationally. It notes that organisations across industries increasingly recognise the need for environmental-management expertise.

Potential employment areas include:

• Environmental consultancy
• Environmental policy
• Resource management
• Local and central government
• District and city councils
• Environmental research
• Universities and research organisations
• Sustainability and corporate environmental management
• Conservation
• Land and water management
• GIS and spatial analysis
• Environmental assessment
• Private businesses and consultancies.

Latest Updates / Special Requirements

• The current programme remains a 180-credit Level 9 master's with Applied and Research pathways.
• Not all listed courses are offered every year, so students should confirm course availability for their intended intake.
• Students entering from a background lacking sufficient environmental economics or applied-science preparation may be required to complete bridging course 188707 and/or 188708.
• Applied Pathway progression requires at least a B average over the first 120 credits of Part One.
• Research Pathway progression requires at least a B+ average over the first 60 credits undertaken for Part One.
• Advanced entry may be possible where previous qualifications receive approved credit.
• The qualification is awarded without formal specialisations.

International Student Visa Requirements

For an international student physically studying at Massey's Manawat Campus in New Zealand, the relevant visa is generally the New Zealand Fee Paying Student Visa.

Current Immigration New Zealand requirements include:

• An offer of place from an approved education provider.
• Evidence of sufficient tuition-fee funding or an applicable scholarship.
• Evidence of sufficient living funds or an acceptable sponsor.
• Acceptable medical and travel insurance.
• Meeting health and character requirements.
• Demonstrating a genuine reason for studying in New Zealand.
• Evidence of plans and sufficient funds to leave New Zealand at the end of the stay.