Graduate Certificate in Protected Area Planning (K5J)

Encompassing over 15% of global landmass, 20% of Australia's land, and a remarkable 40% of Tasmania, protected areas play a critical role in conserving nature and its associated ecosystem services and cultural values.

Effective conservation and management of this significant estate is central to achieving global conservation and sustainable development goals. Critical planning is essential for protected areas to achieve this aim. Equipping students with the knowledge and skills required by contemporary protected area planners, this course covers planning practices in government, private, and community-based protected areas.

The course has been developed as part of an initiative to establish a protected area learning and research centre. This initiative is being led by a Steering Committee comprising representatives from The University of Tasmania, Tasmania Parks & Wildlife Service, Tasmanian Land Conservancy, Parks Victoria, Parks Australia, IUCN World Commission on Protected Areas, James Cook University, Murdoch University and Charles Darwin University.

Admission to most postgraduate coursework courses at the University of Tasmania require qualifications equivalent to an Australian bachelor degree. Applicants must achieve the required grade in their qualifying studies, meet any prerequisite subjects, and meet English language requirements to be eligible for an offer.

English Language Requirements

For students who do not meet the English Language Requirement through citizenship or prior studies in English in an approved country, evidence of an approved English language test completed within the last 2 years must be provided. See the English Language Requirements page for more information.

Course Specific Requirements

Candidates for the Graduate Certificate of Protected Area Planning shall be qualified for entry if they hold an undergraduate degree or other tertiary qualification(s) deemed by the Faculty to be equivalent for this purpose.

• All methods of meeting University of Tasmania English language requirements have a validity period of 2 years unless involving a country specific qualification as listed below.
• Each course offered by the University of Tasmania has a minimum English language requirement for entry as listed below. Applicants must also meet the academic entry requirements for each course.
• Applicants who qualify from a University of Tasmania program, and intend to gain professional registration to become a practitioner in Australia, may need to meet the relevant Professional Accrediting Agency's English language registration standard.
• In exceptional circumstances or cases not covered by the categories outlined below, multiple forms of evidence may be considered on a case by case basis by the Executive Director, Student Operations in consultation with the Director, Academic Quality and Standards.
• The University reserves the right to require that any applicant be required to undergo a test of English language.

This course equips graduates with the planning knowledge and skills highly sought after by government protected area agencies, private and NGO protected area managers, and community-based organisations. It's designed to meet the international competencies for protected area planners, as specified by the IUCN World Commission on Protected Areas.