Back to Find Courses page

Graduate Diploma of Regenerative Agriculture

Graduate Diploma

Course snapshot

Domestic snapshot

  • Course abbreviation

    GradDipRA

  • Course code

    1108440

  • Credit points

    96

  • Equivalent units

    8

  • Indicative Fee

    Commonwealth supported

Overview

The Graduate Diploma in Regenerative Agriculture provides students with insight into the processes of transition required to build more resilient farming systems and rural societies.

Drawing on multi-disciplinary knowledges, this course will provide graduate students a sound understanding of how to apply the principles and practices of regenerative agriculture in different farming contexts. They will also learn how to effectively work with landholders and support transitions towards regenerative systems. Students with a science background can select a soil specialisation, or elective units.

This course draws on the University’s specialist expertise in plant science, agronomy, ecology and socio-ecological systems to develop a higher-level understanding of the philosophies underpinning regenerative agriculture and enables students to integrate cross-disciplinary knowledge to develop innovative solutions to agribusiness and land management challenges. 

It is designed for students who want to be a part of a new way of farming that better supports, and is supported by natural processes, building more resilient farms and farmers in a future of increased seasonal and weather variability.

This course responds to industry need not only for regenerative farmers but also for regenerative agronomists and consultants who can advise and guide the supply of food and fibre from regenerative farms and support improved land management. This postgraduate qualification is suited both to people already working in the farming and agribusiness sector and also to those who wish to transition into this dynamic and important industry.

Course Learning Outcome

GA1: Intellectual rigour

Develop creative solutions to dynamic complex problems in agriculture, by synthesising information from a range of relevant multidisciplinary sources and disciplines, using an approach grounded in holism.

Demonstrate an integrative understanding of regenerative agriculture by critically evaluating the role and relevance of regenerative agriculture and its application in society.

GA2: Creativity

Develop creative solutions to dynamic complex problems in agriculture, by synthesising information from a range of relevant multidisciplinary sources and disciplines, using an approach grounded in holism.

GA3: Ethical practice

Reflect on the role of self, ethics and continuous learning in building new discipline-specific knowledge and applying it to socio-ecological challenges in science and agriculture.

GA4: Knowledge of a discipline

Demonstrate a comprehensive and nuanced understanding of the nature of complex socio-ecological systems in an agricultural context.

Demonstrate an integrative understanding of regenerative agriculture by critically evaluating the role and relevance of regenerative agriculture and its application in society.

Demonstrate an integrative understanding of the major biophysical, social and policy drivers that underpin agricultural practice and how they contribute to practice change.

GA5: Lifelong learning

Reflect on the role of self, ethics and continuous learning in building new discipline-specific knowledge and applying it to socio-ecological challenges in science and agriculture.

GA6: Communication and social skills

Effectively communicate and generate ideas, concepts and knowledge for a variety of stakeholders in the agricultural context using a range of mediums.

GA7: Cultural competence

Incorporate diverse cultural perspectives and Indigenous ways of knowing to inform understandings of complex and interconnected ecological, social and economic systems.

Students complete six core units:

  • Building Resilience in a Changing Climate: Through Drought, Fire and Flood
  • Ecological Perspectives for Transformational Change
  • Regenerative Agricultural Principles and Practices
  • Regenerative Agricultural Strategies
  • Planning Rural Landscapes
  • Supporting Change in Regenerative Systems 

and two units from the soil specialisation or elective units.

Location Teaching period UAC code QTAC code
Lismore Term 1 N/A N/A
Online Term 1 N/A N/A

Requirements

We encourage you to apply for the courses you most want to study. If you are not eligible to enter your chosen course right now, our team will work with you to find the best pathway option.

Before applying, make sure you double check all entry requirements, gather required documentation and review the University’s Rules Relating to Awards, noting any specifics listed below.

Entry requirements

Language requirements

English language requirements apply to International applicants and other applicants whose previous study was undertaken in a language other than English. The minimum English language requirements for such applicants for entry to this course are as follows

CategoryScore
Overall6.5
Listeningminimum 6.0
Speakingminimum 6.0
Readingminimum 6.0
Writingminimum 6.0

Course requirements

To be eligible to receive the Graduate Diploma of Regenerative Agriculture students must complete the equivalent of 8 units (96 credit points), comprising: 
  • 1 specialisation in Soils or Indigenous Knowledge; (96 credit points) OR 
  • 6 core units (72 credit points) and equivalent 2 option units (24 credit points)

To be eligible to exit with a Graduate Certificate in Regenerative Agriculture, students must complete the equivalent of 4 units (48 credit points), comprising 4 core units.

 

Course structure

Your course progression is in the recommended order you should complete your course in. It is important that you follow this to ensure you meet the course requirements. For further assistance see How to Enrol in Units using My Enrolment.

Students should use course progression information to select units specific to their course and enrol in these units using My Enrolment.

Unit Code Unit Title Available Credit points Notes

Complete the following units to satisfy the Requirements of the Award

ENVR5007 Building Resilience in a Changing Climate: Through Drought, Fire and Flood
Term1
12
Location Domestic International
Online
Term1
N/A
Enrolment information Students will have intermediate to advanced skills in academic writing.
Option Units
AGRC5001 Regenerative Agricultural Principles and Practice
Term2
12 Note 2
Location Domestic International
Lismore
Term2
Term2
Online
Term2
Term2
Anti-requisites AGRC2006 - Regenerative Agricultural Practices OR AGRC1001 - Alternative Farming Systems
Enrolment information All students must attend the compulsory second-year Regenerative Agriculture Farm Study Tour, which runs in O week of Term 2 and contains practical skills for AGRC5001 (4 days) and AGRC6001 (2 days). The Farm Study Tour will leave from the Lismore campus and will last 6 days. All students participating in the Farm Study Tour will need to pay a contribution ($300) towards accommodation. For details on how to pay your contribution email the Unit Assessor Professor Terry Rose at: terry.rose@scu.edu.au.
Option Units
ENVR6008 Ecological Perspectives for Transformational Change
Term3
12
Location Domestic International
Lismore
Term3
Term3
Online
Term3
N/A
AGRC3003 Regenerative Agricultural Strategies
Term3
12
Location Domestic International
Lismore
Term3
Term3
Online
Term3
N/A
Enrolment information For those enrolled in the Bachelor of Science, this unit assumes knowledge equivalent to: GENG1003, AGRC2007, SOIL2001, AGRC2004, BIOL2011, AGRC2006 and STAT2003. For those enrolled in the Graduate Diploma of Regenerative Agriculture, this unit assumes knowledge equivalent to: AGRC5001 and ideally SOIL2001 and AGRC6001 for those undertaking the Soils Specialisation. GIS mapping is a desired skill.
ENVR6009 Supporting Change in Regenerative Systems
Term4
12
Location Domestic International
Lismore
Term4
Term4
Online
Term4
Term4
AGRC3004 Planning Rural Landscapes
Term4
12
Location Domestic International
Lismore
Term4
Term4
Online
Term4
N/A
Enrolment information This is a capstone unit for Regenerative Agriculture. All students should have completed AGRC3003 - Regenerative Agricultural Strategies before enrolling. Students enrolled in the Bachelor of Science, should also have completed: GENG1003, AGRC2007, SOIL2001, AGRC2004, BIOL2011, AGRC2006 and STAT2003. Students enrolled in the Graduate Diploma of Regenerative Agriculture should also have completed: SOIL2001, AGRC2006 and AGRC5001.

Unit Code Unit Title Available Credit points Notes

Complete the following units to satisfy the Requirements of the Award

ENVR5007 Building Resilience in a Changing Climate: Through Drought, Fire and Flood
Term1
12
Location Domestic International
Online
Term1
N/A
Enrolment information Students will have intermediate to advanced skills in academic writing.
SOIL2001 Soil Processes
Term1
12
Location Domestic International
Lismore
Term1
Term1
Online
Term1
N/A
Pre-requisites CHEM1001 - Chemistry and SCIN1004 - Earth Systems; OR Admission to 2125105 - Diploma of Regenerative Agriculture and SCIN1001 - Nature of Science (pre or co req); OR Admission to 1108440 - Graduate Diploma of Regenerative Agriculture.
Enrolment information There will be a two-day compulsory residential for Online students that will be held on the Lismore campus. Please refer to http://scu.edu.au/timetables for further information on timetables. For Regenerative Agriculture students, the residential will run in O Week of Term 2. For dates, contact your Unit Assessor: john.grant@scu.edu.au For on-campus students there are four 3-hour compulsory practical sessions during the Term. Please refer to timetable information for details. For post-graduate students, this unit requires students to have an understanding of minerals and landscape development and of basic chemistry. This essential background is provided by the completion of the pre-requisite units or equivalent experience.
AGRC5001 Regenerative Agricultural Principles and Practice
Term2
12 Note 2
Location Domestic International
Lismore
Term2
Term2
Online
Term2
Term2
Anti-requisites AGRC2006 - Regenerative Agricultural Practices OR AGRC1001 - Alternative Farming Systems
Enrolment information All students must attend the compulsory second-year Regenerative Agriculture Farm Study Tour, which runs in O week of Term 2 and contains practical skills for AGRC5001 (4 days) and AGRC6001 (2 days). The Farm Study Tour will leave from the Lismore campus and will last 6 days. All students participating in the Farm Study Tour will need to pay a contribution ($300) towards accommodation. For details on how to pay your contribution email the Unit Assessor Professor Terry Rose at: terry.rose@scu.edu.au.
AGRC6001 Soil Management for Biodiversity
Term2
12
Location Domestic International
Lismore
Term2
Term2
Online
Term2
N/A
Pre-requisites have completed unit SOIL5001 - Soil Processes OR SOIL2001 - Soil Processes, or equivalent.
Enrolment information There will be a two-day compulsory residential for Online students that will be held on the Lismore campus. Please refer to http://scu.edu.au/timetables for further information on this schedule and to register for this residential. For on-campus students, there will be compulsory practical sessions during the Term. Please refer to the timetable for the schedule. Online students also have the option to participate in a residential delivered in O-Week of Term 2. For dates and details, contact your Unit Assessor: john.grant@scu.edu.au To complete this higher-level soils unit, students must have a sound understanding of soil processes and the chemistry underpinning them. SOIL2001 - Soil Processes
ENVR6008 Ecological Perspectives for Transformational Change
Term3
12
Location Domestic International
Lismore
Term3
Term3
Online
Term3
N/A
AGRC3003 Regenerative Agricultural Strategies
Term3
12
Location Domestic International
Lismore
Term3
Term3
Online
Term3
N/A
Enrolment information For those enrolled in the Bachelor of Science, this unit assumes knowledge equivalent to: GENG1003, AGRC2007, SOIL2001, AGRC2004, BIOL2011, AGRC2006 and STAT2003. For those enrolled in the Graduate Diploma of Regenerative Agriculture, this unit assumes knowledge equivalent to: AGRC5001 and ideally SOIL2001 and AGRC6001 for those undertaking the Soils Specialisation. GIS mapping is a desired skill.
ENVR6009 Supporting Change in Regenerative Systems
Term4
12
Location Domestic International
Lismore
Term4
Term4
Online
Term4
Term4
AGRC3004 Planning Rural Landscapes
Term4
12
Location Domestic International
Lismore
Term4
Term4
Online
Term4
N/A
Enrolment information This is a capstone unit for Regenerative Agriculture. All students should have completed AGRC3003 - Regenerative Agricultural Strategies before enrolling. Students enrolled in the Bachelor of Science, should also have completed: GENG1003, AGRC2007, SOIL2001, AGRC2004, BIOL2011, AGRC2006 and STAT2003. Students enrolled in the Graduate Diploma of Regenerative Agriculture should also have completed: SOIL2001, AGRC2006 and AGRC5001.

Note 1:

Compulsory 3-day residential for all students.

Note 2:

Compulsory 4-day residential for all students.

Note 3:

Compulsory 5-day residential for all students.

Unit Code Unit Title Notes

Unit Code Unit Title Notes

Core Units
AGRC5001 Regenerative Agricultural Principles and Practice Note 2
ENVR5007 Building Resilience in a Changing Climate: Through Drought, Fire and Flood
ENVR6008 Ecological Perspectives for Transformational Change
ENVR6009 Supporting Change in Regenerative Systems
Students may be eligible to exit with the Graduate Certificate in Regenerative Agriculture after completing the above four units.
AGRC3004 Planning Rural Landscapes
AGRC3003 Regenerative Agricultural Strategies

Option Units
Select Two (2) Units from the following:
INDG3001 Caring for Country Note 3
FOOD5004 Food as Medicine
BIOL2011 Ecology for Natural and Managed Systems
LAWS2065 Ecological Jurisprudence
AGRC2008 Agricultural and Forest Value Chains
ENVR2011 Ecological Economics
FORS2001 Fire Ecology and Management
ENVR3004 Protected Area Management Note 1
BUSN1007 The Interconnected World
FORS3007 Pest and Disease Management

Unit Code Unit Title Notes
Students choosing the Soils Specialisation are expected to have undergraduate-level foundational knowledge of earth processes and chemistry.
ENVR5007 Building Resilience in a Changing Climate: Through Drought, Fire and Flood
ENVR6008 Ecological Perspectives for Transformational Change
AGRC3004 Planning Rural Landscapes
AGRC3003 Regenerative Agricultural Strategies
ENVR6009 Supporting Change in Regenerative Systems
AGRC5001 Regenerative Agricultural Principles and Practice Note 2
SOIL2001 Soil Processes
AGRC6001 Soil Management for Biodiversity

Unit Code Unit Title Notes
ENVR5007 Building Resilience in a Changing Climate: Through Drought, Fire and Flood
ENVR6008 Ecological Perspectives for Transformational Change
AGRC3004 Planning Rural Landscapes
AGRC3003 Regenerative Agricultural Strategies
ENVR6009 Supporting Change in Regenerative Systems
INDG1002 Indigenous Knowledge
INDG3001 Caring for Country
AGRC5001 Regenerative Agricultural Principles and Practice