Master of Behaviour and Systemic Change

The Master of Behaviour and Systemic Change is a practical, impact-oriented 1.5-year course, which brings together powerful, transferable, change-oriented theories from behavioural psychology and economics, social and political sciences and interdisciplinary sustainability studies with grand challenges of our time - climate change, geopolitical security and the health of our communities.

Behavioural and systemic change approaches sit at the core of the course, with all students engaging with a comprehensive set of core studies on these topics and gaining an opportunity to learn from, apply and extend cutting-edge practice.

You will also choose a further study stream, extending your knowledge by tapping into Monash’s cross-Faculty expertise of key complex problems. Project units will see you apply behavioural and systemic approaches to real-world examples of your chosen stream, challenge bridging the theory-practice gap and prepare you for strategic and impact-oriented careers in government, business and third-sector organisations.

Behavioural and systemic approaches offer opportunities to create positive change on the grand challenges of our age. In this Masters, you can deepen your knowledge of these via a stream – climate change, geopolitics and security and health and communities or by undertaking a research thesis. The structure of the Master of Behaviour and Systemic Change brings your core studies into conversation with a sample of multi-disciplinary postgraduate units offered across Monash’s faculties, broadening your knowledge and skill set in relation to your chosen stream.

Climate change

You will select postgraduate coursework units from a curated list on climate change to extend your existing understanding of this challenge and build a comprehensive understanding of the causes, impacts, and solutions to this issue. You can learn about the scientific evidence and potential impacts on ecosystems, biodiversity, and human societies; the implications and management strategies for businesses; the interaction of climate change with other major challenges such as public health; and other dimensions such as legal implications.

Geopolitics and security

You will select postgraduate coursework units from a curated list to investigate theories and applied knowledge relating to development, human security and vulnerability, power, governance and conflict. You will draw on disciplinary knowledge from science, human geography, political science and more to support a broad and multi-disciplinary perspective on this challenge and underpin your efforts to make change.

Health and communities

You will select postgraduate coursework units from a curated list to build a multi-disciplinary knowledge of challenges relating to human health, equality and community cohesion. This could include exploration of the future of sustainable cities, the interaction of human rights with health, the role of power and spatial differences in community outcomes, and the relationship of food supply and security with community health and prosperity. Together, these support you to develop a pluri-perspectival view of thriving communities and the challenges in developing and maintaining them.