Course details

Master of Parks Management
NZQF Level 9

About the course

Develop the parks-specific knowledge, cultural competencies, and business capabilities to succeed in leadership and management roles within the parks (and related) sectors.

Study for free

If you're a New Zealand citizen or permanent resident, residing in New Zealand at the time of study, you may be eligible for free tuition fees. Part time study options may be available. Terms and conditions apply. Learn more

About this programme

The study of parks management is closely aligned with natural resource management, indigenous planning and development and outdoor recreation management.

The Master of Parks Management will prepare you for mid-and-senior-level management roles.

This distinctive, interdisciplinary programme offers a suite of options that provide important social, cultural, environmental and business contexts to parks management.

Depending on your background, occupational aspirations, and area of interest, you can choose how you would like to specialise, with options including ecology, environmental management, recreation and tourism and climate change in regard to parks management. 

How you’ll grow

  • Critically analyse and synthesise concepts and frameworks to evaluate resource management approaches and practices relevant to the parks sector.
  • Interpret and assess the relationship between parks, policy and resource management, including indigenous perspectives.
  • Appraise the legal, political, institutional, economic and socio-cultural contexts of parks with management.
  • Understand ecological and environmental principles relevant to the management of New Zealand ecosystems.
  • Apply business, organisational and environmental management practices to the parks sector.

Career opportunities

The sector has identified a critical shortage of qualified parks management professionals. Potential employers include central and local government, iwi authorities and other Māori organisations, conservation trusts, and private sector and community organisations.

Programme structure

The Master of Parks Management is a 180-credit taught master's degree, delivered on-campus, with some online learning options.

The programme can be completed within 12 months (if you start in November) or 18 months (if you start in February or July).

Compulsory courses - 80 credits (four courses)

  1. ERST 630 Environmental Policy and Planning OR LWST 602 Advanced Resource Management & Planning Law
  2. MAST 603 Mana Kaitiaki (Māori Resource Management) OR MAST 604 Kaupapa Matua (Advanced Māori Policy and Planning)
  3. RECN 626 Natural Resource Recreation and Tourism
  4. ECOL 609 Conservation Biology OR ECOL 612 Wildlife Management

List A - 40 credits (at least two courses) from the following:

List B - 40 credits (at least two courses) from the following:

Plus one elective course (20 credits) from the schedule of Master's degree courses offered at Lincoln University.  

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About the provider

Lincoln University is one of the eight government universities in New Zealand. Established in 1878, it is governed by the Lincoln University Council.

Based in Canterbury, in the South Island of New Zealand, Lincoln offers a unique experience, a perfect balance of student and academic life and a host of recreation activities around the region.

The institution is rated the 15th best small university in the world by the QS World University Rankings. It is home to a diverse group of nearly 4,500 students who come from more than 80 different countries around the world.

Lincoln graduates have a 6 percent higher employment rate than those from other New Zealand universities and the number of students graduating from Lincoln is higher than the national average.

Students can choose from a wide range of specialist courses from three faculties and one division – the Faculty of Agribusiness and Commerce; the Faculty of Agriculture and Life Sciences; the Faculty of Environment, Society and Design; and the University Studies and English Language Division.

Lincoln has dedicated itself towards undertaking meaningful research that makes a globally positive impact. Its sustainable approach and commitment towards handling climate change issues have attracted many postgraduate students studying at the institution.

The university also engages in other land-based research and hosts a range of research centres, including food research and innovation, land, environment and people, wildlife management and conservation, and soil and environmental research.

The university shares ties with leading organisations as well as research centres, which help students gain additional skills and knowledge through practical learning experiences.

The Lincoln University Students' Association (LUSA) is an active student body that governs a variety of clubs and organisations on campus.

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