Courses and degrees

A-Z study options

Outdoor education

Why research Outdoor education?

The Outdoor and Environmental Education unit in Bendigo has an international reputation and is the largest dedicated provider of outdoor and environmental education in the world. We offer Masters and PhD by research and focus on developing knowledge about nature, building relationships with the land, and understanding place, culture, language and experience. Research strengths include environmental interpretation, human and nature relationships for sustainability, sustainability education, land use history and management, recreation impact, sustainable tourism, ecological literacy and sustainability in schools, outdoor environmental education curriculum and practice, international representations of outdoor education, safety management, experiential facilitation, professionalism in outdoor education and outdoor leadership.

Career opportunities

Graduates are prepared for school leadership and academic positions in Australia and overseas, as a researcher with organisations such as the Australian Council for Educational Research, or as a policy advisor in the public and private sector.

Courses

Local students

Outdoor education courses (Mid year entry)
Offer year	Course title	Campus(es)	Duration	Semester starts
2013	Doctor of Education	Melbourne	4 years full-time or equivalent part-time	Semester 1 and 2 (February and July)
Doctor of Education continued… Course description The Doctor of Education is for persons who are primarily interested in advanced professional studies focused on reflection and development on, or evaluation of, educational practice. It comprises two years of coursework followed by supervised research culminating in a thesis of approximately 50 000 words. Coursework comprises two, year-long subjects that enable advanced level study of professional issues; each requires a 15 000-word essay. Areas of research expertise include: applied linguistics and language education, cross-cultural communication, innovative curriculum and effective classrooms, e-learning pedagogies, leadership and management, international education and globalisation, science and mathematics education, policy research and evaluation, teacher education, special education, student advocacy and wellbeing and further, technical and higher education. Prerequisite Master's degree by research, a high Honours degree or, in some instances, coursework Master's degree including minor thesis and demonstrated ability to undertake doctoral studies. Fee type Research Training Scheme (RTS) funded How to apply Please download an application form here. Scholarship applications close October 31. Full course details Education (Professional Doctorate)Melbourne Education (Professional Doctorate)Albury-Wodonga
2013	Doctor of Philosophy (Education)	Albury-Wodonga Bendigo Melbourne	4 years full-time or equivalent part-time	Anytime
Doctor of Philosophy (Education) continued… Course description This doctorate is intended for those with strong theoretical and research interests and a primary commitment to scholarship, teaching and professional training. The PhD requires supervised research culminating in a thesis of 80 000 to 100 000 words. Areas of research expertise include: applied linguistics and language education; cross-cultural communication; innovative curriculum and effective classrooms; e-learning pedagogies; leadership and management; international education and globalisation; science and mathematics education; policy research and evaluation; teacher education; special education; student advocacy and wellbeing; and further, technical and higher education. Prerequisite Master's degree by research or a high Honours degree or, in some instances, coursework Masters including minor thesis, and demonstrated ability to undertake doctoral studies. Fee type Research Training Scheme (RTS) funded How to apply Please download an application form here. Scholarship applications close October 31. Full course details Education (PhD)Melbourne Education (PhD)Bendigo Education (PhD)Albury-Wodonga
2013	Doctor of Philosophy (Outdoor Education and Environment)	Bendigo	4 years full-time	Anytime
Doctor of Philosophy (Outdoor Education and Environment) continued… Course description This doctorate is intended for candidates with strong theoretical and research interests. The PhD is undertaken by supervised research culminating in a thesis of approximately 80 000 to 100 000 words. Areas of research include: understanding and shaping human experience of region and place, outdoor environmental education, and professional issues in outdoor education and nature guiding. Prerequisite Master's degree by research, a high Honours degree or, in some instances, coursework Master's including a minor thesis and demonstrated ability to undertake doctoral ability to undertake doctoral studies. Fee type Research Training Scheme (RTS) funded How to apply Please download an application form here. Full course details Outdoor Education and Environment (Doctor)Bendigo
2013	Master of Outdoor and Environmental Education	Bendigo	2 years full-time	Anytime
Master of Outdoor and Environmental Education continued… Course description This advanced program is intended for professionals in outdoor and environmental education and related fields. This program is available by a combination of coursework and a minor thesis, or by thesis only. Research areas include: understanding and shaping human experience of region and place; outdoor environmental education; and professional issues in outdoor education and nature guiding. Prerequisite Fourth-year Graduate Diploma in a relevant area with a B average or higher; or Honours degree with 2A result or higher. Fee type Research Training Scheme (RTS) funded Additional costs Some additional costs may apply for field-work clothing and equipment - up to A$1500. Any items purchased remain the property of the student. How to apply Please download an application form here. Full course details Outdoor Education and Environment (Master)Bendigo

How to apply

You can apply for research candidature at any time. However, applications for research scholarships close on 31 October.

To apply for Master's candidature, you need an Honours degree or Master's Preliminary. For Doctoral (PhD) candidature, you need a Master's or a Bachelor's degree with Honours, usually with a result of at least H2A.

Before applying, it's best to contact a potential academic supervisor and receive in-principle approval for your topic.

Once you've done this, you can download an application form [PDF 1.02Mb] and submit it to La Trobe's Research Services office.

Fees and scholarships

Research degrees are funded by the Commonwealth Government via the Research Training Scheme (RTS) (fees may apply to some components of some Professional Doctorates).

There are a range of scholarships available for local students.

International students

Show mid year entryShow next year’s courses

Outdoor education international courses
Offer year	Course title (CRICOS)	Campus(es)	Duration	Semester starts	Annual Tuition Fee (AUD)
2013	Doctor of Education (009388B)	Albury-Wodonga Melbourne	4 years	Semester 1 and 2 (March and July)	$23 450
Doctor of Education continued… Year 2013 Course description The Doctor of Education is for persons who are primarily interested in advanced professional studies focused on reflection and development on, or evaluation of, educational practice. It comprises two years of coursework followed by supervised research culminating in a thesis of approximately 50 000 words. Coursework comprises two, year-long subjects that enable advanced level study of professional issues; each requires a 15 000-word essay. Areas of research expertise include: applied linguistics and language education, cross-cultural communication, innovative curriculum and effective classrooms, e-learning pedagogies, leadership and management, international education and globalisation, science and mathematics education, policy research and evaluation, teacher education, special education, student advocacy and wellbeing and further, technical and higher education. English Language Requirements IELTS (Academic): minimum score of 6.5 with no individual band score less than 6.0. TOEFL Paper-based Test: minimum score of 575 (minimum score of 5 in the Test of Written English). TOEFL Internet-based Test: minimum score of 80 with minimum overall for SLR 18; W 22. La Trobe Melbourne (ELICOS): completion of English for Further Studies Advanced Stage 5B Certificate at postgraduate (EFS5 (70 per cent) PG1) level. For more information please visit the La Trobe Melbourne website. English as the language of instruction in tertiary studies may be accepted. Please note: English as the language of instruction in previous study will not be accepted as a basis of admission (English) for courses where the approved test score requirement is above an IELTS 6.5 with no band score lower than 6.0. Pearson Test of English (Academic) (PTE): minimum score of 64 with no communicative skill score less than 59. Cambridge Certificate of Advanced English (CAE): a grade of B or higher. Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE): a grade of C or higher. Or approved international equivalent. Academic entry requirements Applicants must have completed an Australian Master's degree or Bachelor's degree with Honours at H1 or H2A level, or approved international equivalent, plus at least three years of relevant professional experience. Applicants are also required to provide evidence of research expertise. Full course details Education (Professional Doctorate)Melbourne Education (Professional Doctorate)Albury-Wodonga
2013	Doctor of Philosophy (Education) (006274C)	Albury-Wodonga Bendigo Melbourne	4 years	Anytime	$23 450
Doctor of Philosophy (Education) continued… Year 2013 Course description This doctorate is intended for those with strong theoretical and research interests and a primary commitment to scholarship, teaching and professional training. The PhD requires supervised research culminating in a thesis of 80 000 to 100 000 words. Areas of research expertise include: applied linguistics and language education; cross-cultural communication; innovative curriculum and effective classrooms; e-learning pedagogies; leadership and management; international education and globalisation; science and mathematics education; policy research and evaluation; teacher education; special education; student advocacy and wellbeing; and further, technical and higher education. English Language Requirements IELTS (Academic): minimum score of 6.5 with no individual band score less than 6.0. TOEFL Paper-based Test: minimum score of 575 (minimum score of 5 in the Test of Written English). TOEFL Internet-based Test: minimum score of 80 with minimum overall for SLR 18; W 22. La Trobe Melbourne (ELICOS): completion of English for Further Studies Advanced Stage 5B Certificate at postgraduate (EFS5 (70 per cent) PG1) level. For more information please visit the La Trobe Melbourne website. English as the language of instruction in tertiary studies may be accepted. Please note: English as the language of instruction in previous study will not be accepted as a basis of admission (English) for courses where the approved test score requirement is above an IELTS 6.5 with no band score lower than 6.0. Pearson Test of English (Academic) (PTE): minimum score of 64 with no communicative skill score less than 59. Cambridge Certificate of Advanced English (CAE): a grade of B or higher. Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE): a grade of C or higher. Or approved international equivalent. Academic entry requirements Applicants must have completed an Australian Master's degree or Bachelor's degree with Honours at H1 or H2A level, or approved international equivalent. Applicants must also provide evidence of substantial prior research expertise. Full course details Education (PhD)Melbourne Education (PhD)Bendigo Education (PhD)Albury-Wodonga
2013	Doctor of Philosophy (Outdoor Education and Environment) (060680G)	Bendigo	4 years	Anytime	$23 450
Doctor of Philosophy (Outdoor Education and Environment) continued… Year 2013 Course description This doctorate is intended for candidates with strong theoretical and research interests. The PhD is undertaken by supervised research culminating in a thesis of approximately 80 000 to 100 000 words. Areas of research include: understanding and shaping human experience of region and place, outdoor environmental education, and professional issues in outdoor education and nature guiding. English Language Requirements IELTS (Academic): minimum score of 6.5 with no individual band score less than 6.0. TOEFL Paper-based Test: minimum score of 575 (minimum score of 5 in the Test of Written English). TOEFL Internet-based Test: minimum score of 80 with minimum overall for SLR 18; W 22. La Trobe Melbourne (ELICOS): completion of English for Further Studies Advanced Stage 5B Certificate at postgraduate (EFS5 (70 per cent) PG1) level. For more information please visit the La Trobe Melbourne website. English as the language of instruction in tertiary studies may be accepted. Please note: English as the language of instruction in previous study will not be accepted as a basis of admission (English) for courses where the approved test score requirement is above an IELTS 6.5 with no band score lower than 6.0. Pearson Test of English (Academic) (PTE): minimum score of 64 with no communicative skill score less than 59. Cambridge Certificate of Advanced English (CAE): a grade of B or higher. Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE): a grade of C or higher. Or approved international equivalent. Academic entry requirements Applicants must have completed an Australian Master's degree or Bachelors degree with Honours at H1 or H2A level, or approved international equivalent. Applicants must also provide evidence of substantial prior research expertise. Full course details Outdoor Education and Environment (Doctor)Bendigo
2013	Master of Outdoor and Environmental Education (060679M)	Bendigo	2 years	Anytime	$23 450
Master of Outdoor and Environmental Education continued… Year 2013 Course description This advanced program is intended for professionals in outdoor and environmental education and related fields. This program is available by a combination of coursework and a minor thesis, or by thesis only. Research areas include: understanding and shaping human experience of region and place; outdoor environmental education; and professional issues in outdoor education and nature guiding. English Language Requirements IELTS (Academic): minimum score of 6.5 with no individual band score less than 6.0. TOEFL Paper-based Test: minimum score of 575 (minimum score of 5 in the Test of Written English). TOEFL Internet-based Test: minimum score of 80 with minimum overall for SLR 18; W 22. La Trobe Melbourne (ELICOS): completion of English for Further Studies Advanced Stage 5B Certificate at postgraduate (EFS5 (70 per cent) PG1) level. For more information please visit the La Trobe Melbourne website. English as the language of instruction in tertiary studies may be accepted. Please note: English as the language of instruction in previous study will not be accepted as a basis of admission (English) for courses where the approved test score requirement is above an IELTS 6.5 with no band score lower than 6.0. Pearson Test of English (Academic) (PTE): minimum score of 64 with no communicative skill score less than 59. Cambridge Certificate of Advanced English (CAE): a grade of B or higher. Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE): a grade of C or higher. Or approved international equivalent. Academic entry requirements Applicants must have completed an Australian Bachelors degree with Honours at H1 or H2A level, or approved international equivalent. Applicants with Honours at H2B level, or equivalent, may be considered in some instances. Additional costs Some additional costs may apply for field-work clothing and equipment - up to A$1500. Any items purchased remain the property of the student. Full course details Outdoor Education and Environment (Master)Bendigo

Fees and scholarships

Estimated fee costs for international students is indicated for each course above. There are also a range of scholarships available for international students to assist students.

Related study options

Your study experience

Finding a supervisor

One of the most important aspects of your research study will be finding a supervisor in Outdoor education.

Overseas study opportunities

You may be eligible for our student exchange program.