The motto of Permaculture is “Ingenio Patet Campus”,

Latin for the phrase “The Field Lies Open to the Intellect”.

This motto demonstrates integrated field design as a science.

“We already know “How To” build and inhabit Sustainable Systems.

Every essential problem is solved, but in the everyday lives of people, this is hardly apparent.

The wage-slave, peasant, landlord, and industrialist alike are deprived of

the leisure and the life spirit that is possible

in a cooperative society that applies its knowledge.

Both wardens and prisoners are equally captive in the society in which we live.”

Bill Mollison, Founder of Permaculture as a Design Science 

Table Of Contents

1. Fee Structure – Online Permaculture Diploma

2. Curriculum – Online Permaculture Diploma

3. Open Universities – Online Permaculture Diploma

4. Educational Quality Assurance – Online Permaculture Diploma

5. Sustainability & Agroecology – Online Permaculture Diploma

6. Environmental Science – Online Permaculture Diploma

7. Who is it Intended For? – Online Permaculture Diploma

8. Permaculture Certification – Online Permaculture Diploma

9. Not Convinced Yet? – Online Permaculture Diploma

10.Other Sustainability Programs – Online Permaculture Diploma

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1. Fee Structure – Online Permaculture Associate Diploma

Permaculture Associate Diploma Pathways

The Associate Diploma of Permaculture Design has various Learning Pathways which are open to the Permaculture Student to start their Higher Level Education Journey. The Sustainable Agriculture Institute adhears to the standard Acedemic Year consiting of 30 Credit Hours. More detailed information on SAI’s Acedemic Polices can be found at the Office of the Registrar.

The below Associate Diploma Options are available to Permaculture Students through the Sustainable Agriculture Institute:

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2. Curriculum – Online Permaculture Associate Diploma

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3. Open Universities – Online Permaculture Associate Diploma

From the beginning, the determination of Permaculture Institutes has been to concentrate on going to the people, not locking themselves away in fixed Institutions, unavailable to people who live in remote locations, in poverty, or who are now “illiterate” in terms of major languages (although very literate verbally, and a mine of knowledge).

Thus, teachers have given courses in very remote and sometimes dangerous areas, and will always continue to do so.

The Sustainable Agriculture Institute, in partnership with the Rak Tamachat Permaculture Institute, set up the Institute as an open ‘Institute’, and gives these certificate courses and accredited Permaculture Diplomas in accordance with ISO 21001:2018(en) — Educational organizations, as pertaining to “Management Systems Requirement for Educational Organizations”.

The below link will allow you to look over the Standard which all S.A.I. Institutes operate in accordance with:

The International Standards Organization (ISO) is an independent, non-governmental membership organization and the world’s largest developer of voluntary International Standards.

Our wish is for every person to have access to a Certificated Permaculture Design Course, to know how to design sustainable houses, villages, economies, and land-use systems.

To eventually achieve a widespread education in Permaculture, we must always concentrate on “letting teachers lose” in their own cultures, using their own languages, and teaching their own people.

However, while this work continues, the Sustainable Agriculture Institute operates as an Open Institute delivering knowledge of Permaculture Design and Sustainable Living to as wide an audience as possible with Permaculture Design Courses, Natural Building Courses, and Higher-Level Permaculture Design Diplomas.

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4. Educational Quality Assurance – Online Permaculture Associate Diploma

Rak Tamachat Permaculture Research and Education Institute (Rak Tamachat) has partnered with the Sustainable Education Institute (S.A.I.) to allow for the distribution of the Permaculture Design Curriculum through the S.A.I. Learning Management System (LMS).

The LMS assures that the Permaculture Design Curriculum is delivered in accordance with all International Standards for Quality Management Systems, as pertaining to Higher Education Requirements.

The S.A.I. LMS controls the Permaculture Design Learning Journey through rigorous adherence to the following:

1. Pedagogical Plan – seeks to embody a learning design, articulating it in a hierarchical structure that incorporates degrees of abstraction suitable for supporting reflection, communication, and reuse.

2. Taxonomy Plan – sets a specific organizational structure for the delivery of online Permaculture Design Curriculum; in short, it controls the curriculum management through the use of the Learning Management Systems, LMS.

3. Curriculum Management Plan – S.A.I. provides support in the development of curriculum guides that are of high quality, well-aligned, provide an adequate cognitive challenge, and articulated vertically with antecedent and subsequent learnings.

4. Quality Assurance Certification – The Quality Assurance Management Systems for application of Higher Education Requirements, as adopted and implemented by e-campus Education LMS, meets the requirements as outlined by ISO for the Standardization of Educational practices across international borders.

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5. Sustainability & Agroecology – Online Permaculture Associates Diploma

What is the Traditional Definition of “Sustainability?”

Sustainability is most often defined as:

“meeting the legitimate needs of the present generation without diminishing the ability of future generations to meet their needs as well.”

This “shallow” sustainability usually focuses on making our current systems more sustainable; that is, reforming our agricultural, transportation, and energy systems by increasing efficiency and substituting non-sustainable materials and energy with more sustainable alternatives.

Permaculture Design goes beyond this simple definition by focusing on the root problem, not a quick fix solution. In Permaculture Design “The Problem is the Solution“.

Permaculture as a Solution:

For example, this type of sustainability would aim to correct our transportation crisis by creating more efficient cars that use alternative fuels.

Permaculture Design recognizes that there is a difference between doing things right and doing the right thing. Basic sustainability focuses on doing things right, on the means we use to accomplish an end.

Permaculture Design addresses the ends themselves:

The Permaculture Diploma Curriculum teaches that the correct approach to say the “Transportation Problem” would focus on the creation of higher quality of life. This would put the focus on the solution of creating lifestyles where people are able to meet their needs close to where they live so that the need for automobile transportation is greatly reduced.

The development of Sustainable businesses, societies, and communities is dependent upon those entities being comprised of highly developed individuals.

Such development means doing more with less. It means creating a higher quality of life while consuming fewer resources. Sustainability is about creating a thriving world in which we lead rich, productive, and fulfilling lives — without depleting the environment or ourselves.

To fully meet our responsibility to current and future generations, “we must connect with our own inner nature and take action”.

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6. Environmental Science – Online Permaculture Associates Diploma

What is Environmental Science?

Environment Science is an interdisciplinary academic field that integrates physical, biological and information sciences (including ecology, biology, physics, chemistry, plant science, zoology, mineralogy, oceanology, limnology, soil science, geology, physical geography – geodesy – and atmospheric science) to the study of the environment, and the solution of environmental problems.

Environmental studies also incorporate social sciences for a deeper understanding of human relationships, perceptions, and policies towards the environment. Environmental engineering focuses on design and technology in order to improve environmental quality in every aspect.

What can I do with a Permaculture Diploma in Environmental Science?

An environmental science degree equips you with essential skills and practical experience that could lead to a career in the environment sector or a range of other occupations.

Jobs Options directly related to your Permaculture Degree include:

• Environmental consultant
• Environmental education officer
• Environmental engineer
• Environmental manager
• Marine biologist
• Nature conservation officer
• Recycling officer
• Sustainability consultant
• Waste management officer
• Water quality scientist

Jobs where your degree would be useful include:

• Environmental health practitioner
• Landscape architect
• Town planner
• Toxicologist
• Transport planner

Remember that many employers accept applications from graduates with any degree subject, so don’t restrict your thinking to the jobs listed here.

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7. Who is the online Permaculture Associate Diploma intended for?

Recent Permaculture Design Course Graduates

The Permaculture Diploma Program is perfect for Permaculture Design Course (PDC) Graduates who would like to take a “Deep Dive” into the world of Permaculture Design in order to help foster a possible career path in Environmental Science. You will learn what it takes to be a “Professional Permaculture Consultant” with Advanced Permaculture Design, including all the professional level documentation, and Permaculture Master Planning Techniques to support your Environmental Science career path.

Practicing Permaculturalists

You may have taken your Permaculture Design Course and headed straight into building your Permaculture Paradise. Now you are looking to expand your basic knowledge of Permaculture Design by learning more “Advanced Permaculture Design”. This could be just to make you a more well-rounded and “Certified Professional Permaculturalist,  or you may have aspirations to take your Permaculture Practice to the next level by trying your hand at Permaculture Consulting, teaching or working in the Environmental Science Field.

Permaculture Consultants

If you are a Practicing Permaculture Consultant, you can refresh your knowledge of Advanced Permaculture Design by learning the “Permaculture Consulting Techniques” practiced by the Rak Tamachat Permaculture Design Consultancy. You will be able to compare your processes and pick up many new tips and tricks to help make your Permaculture Consultancy more profitable and better able to serve your clients and the environment at large.

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8. Permaculture Certification – Online Permaculture Diploma

Permaculture Associate Diploma Awards

As a graduate of the online Associate Diploma of Permaculture Design, A.Dip.P.D., you will be awarded a full Associate Diploma of Permaculture.

You can learn all the Design Theory, Design Science, Design Strategies, and Implementation Strategies from the convenience of your home, and get a fully certified and recognized Permaculture Associate Diploma.

Becoming a professional Permaculture Designer is a life-changing experience and we are proud to be the choice of many of the leading Permaculturists entering the Permaculture Design market, whether it be for designing their own farms, working to learn to be a Permaculture Design Educator or a Permaculture Design Consultant.

You can never stop learning about Permaculture, the journey will take you to places you have never imagined. Learn more about SAI’s Masters of Sustainability in Permaculture Design Here.

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9. Not Convinced Yet to earn your Online Permaculture Associate Diploma?

Why Not Take Our Free Permaculture Design Course Introduction!

We love being able to offer to the world something that is Truly Free!

The Sustainable Agriculture Institute and Rak Tamachat Permaculture Institute have offered to the world two complete Chapters of the Permaculture: A Designers’ Manual – as taught on our Physical Permaculture Design Courses – for Free in the Online Permaculture Design Course Introduction.

Also, feel free to share this amazing opportunity with those who may not be able to take a PDC due to poor circumstances. We think everyone has the right to know about Permaculture!

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10. Other Sustainability Programs