Program Overview

---

Master of Environmental Management – MEnvMgmt

The Master of Environmental Management is a postgraduate qualification that provides advanced knowledge of current land and water-based environmental management. This qualification will help students gain an in-depth understanding of how the natural environment functions and how societal values, needs, and attitudes are reconciled with the need to maintain the integrity of ecological systems.

Type of Qualification

• Master's degree
• Postgraduate study
• NZQF level 9

Time to Complete

• 1 year 6 months full-time (180 credits)
• Part-time available

Where You Can Study

• Distance and online
• Manawatū campus (Palmerston North)

International Students

• Open to international students on campus in New Zealand, or studying online outside New Zealand

Key Dates

• Admission application due dates
• Course enrolment dates for accepted students
• Semester dates

Study a Master of Environmental Management – MEnvMgmt

The Master of Environmental Management reflects the growing need to protect the environment and use resources of land, water, soil, plants, and animals in a balanced and sustainable way. This qualification will help students gain advanced knowledge in current land and water-based environmental management. Students can specialise in the policy or economic side of environmental management. They can also study courses in important environmental management tools and techniques like GIS, Remote Sensing, and Life Cycle Assessment.

Internationally Relevant

• Our staff are world-class academics publishing internationally, with strong connections to relevant organisations across areas associated with environmental management.
• We have a large number of international students, attracted by the increasing relevance of a discipline that addresses global environmental challenges.

Approachable Lecturers and Real-World Learning

• At Massey, we are focused on student success. Our lecturers are very approachable and open to giving advice on helping students plan their career and research ambitions in environmental management.
• The qualification has a solid grounding in both environmental management theory and applied components. Regular field trips take place around New Zealand, and there are also opportunities to attend international conferences.

Entry Requirements

• Admission to Massey: All students must meet university entrance requirements to be admitted to the University.
• Specific requirements:
  • A relevant Bachelor’s degree or equivalent, with a minimum B average in the qualifying 300-level courses, or
  • A Postgraduate Diploma in Environmental Management or equivalent, with at least a B average (for the Applied pathway) or B+ average (for the Research pathway), or
  • A Bachelor of Environmental Management (Honours), or equivalent, with Second Class Honours, Division II, or higher (for the Applied pathway) or Second Class Honours, Division I, or higher (for the Research pathway).
• English language requirements: To study this qualification, students must meet Massey University's English language standards.

Structure of the Master of Environmental Management

The Master of Environmental Management is a parts-based qualification. That means students must complete the first part before moving to the second.

Research Pathway

• For progression from Part One to Part Two, students must have achieved a grade average of B+ over the first 60 credits undertaken for Part One.

Applied Pathway

• For progression from Part One to Part Two, students must have achieved a grade average of B over the first 120 credits undertaken for Part One.

Courses and Specialisations

Key Terms

• Courses: Each qualification has its own specific set of courses.
• Course code: Each course is numbered using 6 digits.
• Credits: Each course is worth a number of credits.
• Specialisations: Some qualifications let students choose what subject they'd like to specialise in.

Credit Summary

• 180 credits
• Coursework Pathway:
  • Part One compulsory courses – 30 credits
  • Part One courses from the Schedule – 60 credits
  • Part One electives from the Schedule – 30 credits
  • Part Two research course – 60 credits
• Research Pathway:
  • Part One compulsory courses – 30 credits
  • Part One courses from the Schedule – 60 credits
  • Part Two thesis – 90 or 120 credits

Course Planning Key

• Prerequisites: Courses that need to be completed before moving onto a course at the next level.
• Corequisites: Courses that must be completed at the same time as another course.
• Restrictions: Some courses are restricted against each other because their content is similar.

Part One

Core Courses

• 30 credits from:
  • Advanced Environmental Management I (15 credits)
  • Advanced Environmental Management II (15 credits)

Courses from the Schedule

• At least 60 credits from:
  • 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)
  • Māori Values and Resource Management (15 credits)
  • Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) and Footprinting Principles (15 credits)

Elective Courses

• Choose no more than 30 credits from:
  • Nutrient Management in Grazed Pasture Systems (30 credits)
  • Topics in Agricultural Extension and Consultancy (15 credits)
  • Advanced Farm and Horticultural Management (15 credits)
  • Emergency Management (30 credits)
  • Sustainable Development (30 credits)
  • Reframing Human-Nature Relationships in Environmental Planning (30 credits)
  • Consumption and Place (30 credits)
  • GIS Principles and Applications (30 credits)
  • GIS Programming and Practice (30 credits)
  • Business and Sustainability (30 credits)
  • Advanced Contemporary Issues in Sustainability (30 credits)
  • Project Management (30 credits)
  • Location Systems: Spatial Databases, Tools and Applications (15 credits)
  • Location Data: Mapping, Analysis and Visualisation (15 credits)
  • Psychology and Culture (15 credits)
  • Sustainable Livelihood (15 credits)
  • Climate Change Economics and Policy (30 credits)
  • Advanced Studies in Soil Science (15 credits)
  • Ecology (30 credits)
  • Energy-Efficient Building Design (15 credits)
  • Wildlife Management (30 credits)
  • Environmental Remote Sensing (15 credits)
  • Advanced Geoscience Techniques (15 credits)
  • Environmental and Geological Hazards (15 credits)

Part Two

Research Pathway

• Choose between 90 and 120 credits from:
  • Thesis 90 Credit Part 1 (30 credits)
  • Thesis 90 Credit Part 2 (60 credits)
  • Thesis (90 credits)
  • Thesis (120 credits)
  • Thesis 120 Credit Part 1 (60 credits)
  • Thesis 120 Credit Part 2 (60 credits)

Applied Pathway

• Choose 60 credits from:
  • Environmental Research and Data Analysis (60 credits)

Fees and Scholarships

2026 Tuition Fees

• Domestic students: $9,244
• International students: $51,180

Student Loans (StudyLink) and Fees Free Scheme

• Students may be eligible for a student loan to help towards paying their fees.
• The New Zealand Government offers fees-free tertiary study for eligible domestic students.

Scholarship and Award Opportunities

• Massey University Postgraduate Overseas Research Grant
• Massey University Postgraduate Scholarship
• Noeleen Olson Horticulture Masters Scholarship

Careers and Job Opportunities

• Postgraduate learning is a satisfying and challenging process. Environmental management is an exciting and rewarding area of study, leading to a growing number of careers.
• Demand for people with environment management skills is growing in New Zealand and overseas.
• Organisations outside of those directly related to environmental issues are increasingly recognising the need to have expertise in this area in every industry.
• The average annual salary for a graduate from this qualification is over NZ$80,000.

Related Study Options

• Bachelor of Resource and Environmental Planning – BRP
• Climate Action – Master of Sustainable Development Goals
• Environmental Science – Bachelor of Science
• Environmental Studies – Bachelor of Arts
• Environmental Studies – Diploma in Arts
• Environmental Studies – Graduate Diploma in Arts
• Environmental Sustainability – Master of Sustainable Development Goals
• Land and Water Science – Bachelor of Earth and Environmental Science
• Postgraduate Diploma in Environmental Management – PGDipEnvMgmt
• Sustainable Climate Systems – Bachelor of Science