Graduate Diploma in Sustainability and Outdoor Education
Sport & Recreation
A course by
Ara Institute of Canterbury
A one-year graduate diploma combining sustainability and outdoor education, intended for teachers, outdoor educators, and those retraining from other degrees. Blends theory and practice, with field trips, distance learning options, and opportunities to specialise.
Blended study
This is a mix of online learning & face-to-face sessions
Madras Street Campus, Christchurch
It will take a total of 1 year
Core skills this course teaches
Advanced understanding of contemporary practice
Develop advanced knowledge and insight into current best practices in sustainability and outdoor education.
Implementation of sustainable practices
Apply principles of sustainability in outdoor and educational contexts.
Instruction and leadership in outdoor environments
Demonstrate practical skill and leadership in a range of outdoor activities (e.g., climbing, kayaking, bush walking).
What You're Signing Up For
This graduate diploma advances professional development in sustainability and outdoor education. It combines theoretical and practical learning for established teachers, outdoor educators, or graduates of other fields seeking retraining. Students engage in sustainable practice implementation, journey-based environmental science, resource management, and practical outdoor instruction. Electives allow students to tailor their learning according to interests and strengths. Field trips are integral, as is a capstone project or special topic focus. Graduates are prepared for enhanced roles in outdoor education, sustainability teaching, recreation, tourism, or environmental education.
Course Content
- Sustainable practice implementation
- Journey-based environmental science
- Contemporary issues in sustainability and outdoor education
- Resource management
- Outdoor instruction and practical skill development
- Advanced rock climbing
- Advanced whitewater kayaking
- Advanced sea kayaking
- Surf and beach education
- Advanced bush walking
- Advanced mountain biking
- Special topic
- Identity, place and language (Atea)
- Leadership and decision making
- Land-based systems and environments
- Contemporary issues
- Adventure therapy and people development
- Geographies of climate change
- Teaching and learning
- Applied instruction
- Capstone project
- Sustainable practices in a changing world
What you need to know first
What sort of industry will this job lead to
Education
Outdoor Recreation
Environmental Education
Adventure Tourism
Future employment opportunities might be
Teaching social studies and outdoor education
Outdoor instruction