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Why study this program

The learning experience

Career opportunities

Pathways to further study

Academics

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Program Duration

1 Year

Program Credit

48 Units

online or inperson

In person or online

Why study this program

The Pacific is one of the world’s most dynamic and diverse regions, home to rich cultures, resilient communities, and rapidly evolving political and environmental challenges. Understanding this region is key to Australia’s future engagement and leadership across Oceania.

The Master of Pacific Studies (available both in person and online) provides a rich, research-led education centred on Pacific voices, knowledge systems, and worldviews. Drawing on the world-leading expertise of The Australian National University, you’ll explore the region’s past and present through transdisciplinary lenses—spanning culture, language, politics, security, and development.

Designed for professionals and graduates seeking to work in or with the Pacific, this degree provides the analytical tools, cultural understanding, and practical skills needed to make a meaningful contribution to policy, research, and community engagement in the region.

The learning experience

student learning experience

This one-year program combines rigorous academic study with real-world relevance. You’ll learn from renowned scholars whose research and partnerships shape regional policy and understanding across Oceania.

Your studies begin with four core courses that provide a foundation in Pacific societies, histories, politics, and research methodologies. From there, you can tailor your degree with electives that align with your interests—such as diplomacy, gender and development, environmental management, language, or security studies. Field schools are offered to provide hands-on, immersive regional experiences and a thesis option is also available for those interested in pursuing research.

Courses are taught in small, discussion-based seminars that emphasise collaboration, reflexive learning, and respect for Indigenous Pacific perspectives. You’ll develop advanced analytical and communication skills, preparing you to engage confidently and sensitively with communities and institutions throughout the region.

 

Career opportunities

The Master of Pacific Studies is ideal for professionals seeking to deepen their understanding of Pacific issues or to pivot toward a career focused on the region’s social, political, and cultural landscape. 

Graduates of this degree are well positioned for roles in:

  • Government and foreign affairs
  • Development and aid organisations
  • Non-government and community sectors
  • International and regional institutions
  • Culture and heritage sectors
  • Journalism and international media
  • Research and academia

Pathways to further study

Students may choose to begin with the Graduate Certificate of Pacific Studies (available in person or online). In some cases, microcredentials completed through the Pacific Security College or the Department of Pacific Affairs may be eligible for credit toward the master’s program, depending on current university credit arrangements.

Graduates may also pursue higher research degrees (MPhil or PhD) focusing on Pacific Studies and related fields.

World-class academics are your teachers

This program brings together a diverse range of discipline-leading experts who deliver cutting edge research-led teaching.

Gemma Malungahu

Dr Gemma Malungahu

Gemma’s research interests focus on Pacific health, Pacific research methods and methodologies, health in Pacific communities both in the diaspora and the region, as well as Tongan culture, language, and heritage.
Katerina Teaiwa

Professor Katerina Teaiwa

Katerina is a leading Pacific Studies scholar whose research explores the cultural and environmental impacts of phosphate mining across Pacific communities, blending ethnography and creative practice to highlight Indigenous perspectives.
Ben Shaw

Dr Ben Shaw

Ben’s research explores how humans adapted to changing ecosystems from the Late Pleistocene to historic times across Australasia and the Pacific Islands, particularly New Guinea. 
George Carter

Dr George Carter

George is a Pacific scholar whose research focuses on regional diplomacy, climate change governance, and Pacific leadership in global forums, highlighting Indigenous and Islander perspectives in international policy.
Sonia Palmieri

Associate Professor Sonia Palmieri

Sonia's expertise lies in gender, politics, and institutional change, focusing on how parliaments and public policy can better support women’s leadership, representation, and participation in decision-making.
Graeme Smith

Associate Professor Graeme Smith

Graeme's expertise lies in Chinese politics and China’s engagement in the Asia–Pacific, with a focus on local governance, development, and how international relationships shape political outcomes in the region.

Further information

If you have further questions about this program, please contact us.

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