student standing in front of health clinic

Course snapshot

Domestic snapshot

  • Start Date

    January, March, April, July, August, October

  • Duration

    2 years part-time
    Two years of accelerated part-time study.  Duration may vary depending on unit availabilities, previous study or work experience.

  • Location

    SCU Online

  • Placement

    No  

  • Course abbreviation

    MHlthLdr

  • Course code

    1208101

  • Credit points

    144

  • Equivalent units

    12

  • Scholarships

  • Indicative fee

Please note, some locations may not have all intake periods available. See the full availability details for further information.

International snapshot

  • Start Date

    January, February, April, June, August, October

  • Duration

    3 years part-time

  • Location

    SCU Online

  • Placement

    No  

Please note, some locations may not have all intake periods available. See the full availability details for further information.

Overview

If you're working in a health science discipline such as nursing, allied health or mental health, our engaging, flexible and interactive online Master of Healthcare Leadership will provide you with opportunities of leadership in multidisciplinary and complex healthcare delivery.

You’ll extend your current knowledge in evidence-based care and learn how to effectively lead teams of health professionals in Australia’s public and private healthcare systems.

Start when it suits you, power through six units a year, and complete your degree in two years. If you have a Graduate Diploma of Advanced Health Practice, you may be granted advanced standing for up to eight units. Four units may be awarded to individuals with a Graduate Certificate in Advanced Health Practice. 

Apply for the CEW Bonnie Boezeman AO scholarship to study this course.

Clinical Exercise Physiology student Vincent Manze at the Exercise lab on Gold Coast campus

“My experience at Southern Cross has been really good. There has been a vast array of opportunities for me. I've seen the whole spectrum of what I'm capable of doing."

The Southern Cross Model is a game-changer in higher education study.

Our students now engage in shorter, six-week unit structures designed around immersive and interactive learning experiences. The shorter unit structure gives students a greater sense of momentum as they achieve milestones quickly, resulting in increased student success rates, and course and teacher satisfaction. Lectures are a thing of the past - students will be engaged in active, interactive and discussion-based learning.

On-campus students experience a variety of teaching approaches including lectures, tutorials, online activities and video-linked or podcast virtual classes.

Our online study option is highly interactive and may include a combination of podcast or video-linked lectures, electronic study materials, workshops, online discussion forums and virtual classes.

The method of teaching and assessment may vary from unit to unit.

Learn more

Course Learning Outcomes express learning achievement in terms of what a student should know, understand and be able to do on completion of a course. These outcomes are aligned with the graduate attributes (GA).

Course Learning Outcome

GA1: Intellectual rigour

Monitor professional learning, research capabilities and performance with personal autonomy, accountability, resilience, and adaptability.

GA2: Creativity

Apply highly developed sustainability frameworks to optimise health, social, and community care services.

GA3: Ethical practice

Critically appraise the role of professional standards or competencies and ethical frameworks in advancing professional practice and professional learning in health, social and community services.

GA4: Knowledge of a discipline

Work independently and collaboratively to generate highly integrated and holistic frameworks in health, social and community care services.

Contribute to research as a basis for critical professional inquiry and effective knowledge translation to ensure the provision of evidence-based health, social and community care services.

GA5: Lifelong learning

Demonstrate a critical application of optimum leadership and management frameworks in the current health, social and community care system.

Demonstrate a critical analysis of existing systems, policies and practices to improve health, social and community care services.

GA6: Communication and social skills

Demonstrate research skills to interpret theoretical propositions, methodologies, conclusions and professional decisions and communicate these to a variety of stakeholders.

GA7: Cultural competence

Demonstrate critical application of cultural responsivity and respect for the identity, dignity, and diversity of all people.

Units of study focus on clinical practice management, leadership in health systems and building skills to support evidence-based health practice, all of which are required of healthcare professionals looking to take on leadership roles in complex public and private healthcare. The portfolio unit enables you to build a professional portfolio that incorporates learning in other areas, such as your continued professional development and informal learning.

Each unit runs for seven weeks, with six teaching periods per year. There are a maximum of 12 units.

Location Teaching period
SCU OnlineSummer Term, Term  1, Term  2, Term  3, Term  4, Term  5
Location Teaching period Annual Fees CRICOS
SCU OnlineSummer Term, Term  1, Term  2, Term  3, Term  4, Term  5$27,720 ($3,465 per unit)N/A

Tuition fees are in Australian dollars, and are subject to change, including annual increases over the duration of a course. Annual tuition fee is based on completing 8 units per year. In addition students are required to pay OSHC for the duration of their visa in advance. Non-tuition fee covers textbooks, stationery and excursions.

Career Outcomes

Australia has one of the best healthcare systems in the world. It’s the country’s largest employer, and employment opportunities continue to evolve and grow. As a Master of Healthcare Leadership graduate, your new research, clinical and management skills will equip you for leadership roles within primary health care, community outreach organisations, area health services, professional associations, hospitals, private practice, and local, state and federal policy making agencies.

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

A three (3) year Bachelor qualification, or equivalent, in a health related discipline and must provide evidence of minimum one (1) year's work experience (related to the last five years) at degree level in a health related field and/or as acceptable to the Course Coordinator.

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 Master of Healthcare Leadership, students must complete the equivalent of 12 units (144 credit points), comprising:

  • 11 core units (132 credit points); and
  • 1 equivalent elective unit (12 credit points).

Exit Awards:

Students may be eligible to exit with a Graduate Diploma of Healthcare Leadership after completing the equivalent of 8 units (96 credit points), comprising the first eight core units.

Students may be eligible to exit with a Graduate Certificate in Healthcare Leadership after completing the equivalent of 4 units (48 credit points), comprising the first four core units.

Other things to consider

Credit for Prior Learning, also referred to as ‘Advanced Standing’ or Recognition for Prior Learning (RPL), is the process of looking at your prior study and/or experience to assess if you can be awarded academic credit or gain entry to a course on the basis of your existing knowledge and skills.

Learn more


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.

Current Students should select their units by checking the Handbook for the year of their enrolment as these may be different.

View Student Handbook

Unit CodeUnit TitleAvailableCredit pointsNotes
Complete the following units to satisfy the Requirements of the Award

First Year

PBHL5016Leading Change in Health Care
Term3
12
LocationDomesticInternational
SCU Online
Term3
Term3
Anti-requisitesHLTH5001 - Leading Change in Healthcare
PBHL5014Strategic Planning and Management in Health Care
Summer Term
Term4
12
LocationDomesticInternational
SCU Online
Summer Term
Term4
Summer Term
Term4
Anti-requisites MGMT5004 - Strategic Health Management
PBHL5018Envisioning Health Systems, Policies and Practices
Term1,5
12
LocationDomesticInternational
SCU Online
Term1,5
Term1,5
Anti-requisitesMGMT5001 - Health Systems, Policies and Practices
PBHL5017Governance and Accountability in Health Care
Term2
12
LocationDomesticInternational
SCU Online
Term2
Term2
Anti-requisitesHLTH5005 - Principles and Practice of Clinical Accountability
PBHL5006Building a Professional Portfolio
Term3
12
LocationDomesticInternational
SCU Online
Term3
Term3
PBHL5008Social and Emotional Competence in Health Care
Summer Term
Term4
12
LocationDomesticInternational
SCU Online
Summer Term
Term4
Summer Term
Term4

Second Year

PBHL5015Effective Teaching and Supervision in Health Care
Term1,5
12
LocationDomesticInternational
SCU Online
Term1,5
Term1,5
Anti-requisitesHLTH5003 - Teaching and Supervision in a Clinical Setting
PBHL5010Contemporary Health Leadership
Term2
12
LocationDomesticInternational
SCU Online
Term2
Term2
Elective Unit
Unit CodeUnit TitleNotes
MHNS5001Contemporary Mental Health
MHNS5002Mental Health Across the Lifespan
MHNS6002Mental Health in Community, Non-Government and Primary Health Settings
MHNS5003Acute Mental Health
MHNS6004Physical Health Care in Mental Health
MHNS5004Supporting Behaviour Change in Mental Health Contexts
MGMT5003Organisational Behaviour (Online)
HRMT6002Human Resource Management (Online)
MGMT6003The Positive Leader (Online)
PBHL6004Leading Evidence-based Practice in Health
Term1,5
12
LocationDomesticInternational
SCU Online
Term1,5
Term1,5
PBHL6005Critical Review in Health
Term2
12
LocationDomesticInternational
SCU Online
Term2
Term2
Pre-requisitesPBHL6004 - Leading Evidence-based Practice in Health
Anti-requisitesNURS5001 - Discovery and Enquiry in Health: The Critical Literature Review
Enrolment informationThis unit builds on the work undertaken in PBHL6004 - Leading Evidence-based Practice in Health. Work in this unit is followed by PBHL6006 - Research Proposal for Health Innovation OR MHNS6003 - Applied Leadership in Mental Health Clinical Practice.
PBHL6006Research Proposal for Health Innovation
Term3
12
LocationDomesticInternational
SCU Online
Term3
Term3
Pre-requisitesNURS5001 - Discovery and Enquiry in Health: The Critical Literature Review OR Must have completed or be currently enrolled in PBHL6005 - Critical Review in Health
Anti-requisitesHLTH5004 - Pitch and Propose
Enrolment informationThis unit builds on the work undertaken in PBHL6005 - Critical Review in Health. Students are required to enrol into this unit within 12 months of completion of PBHL6005 - Critical Review in Health.


Unit CodeUnit TitleNotes
Core Units
PBHL5016Leading Change in Health Care
PBHL5014Strategic Planning and Management in Health Care
PBHL5018Envisioning Health Systems, Policies and Practices
PBHL5017Governance and Accountability in Health Care
Students may be eligible to exit with the Graduate Certificate in Healthcare Leadership after completing all the above 4 units.
PBHL5008Social and Emotional Competence in Health Care
PBHL5010Contemporary Health Leadership
PBHL5006Building a Professional Portfolio
PBHL5015Effective Teaching and Supervision in Health Care
Students may be eligible to exit with the Graduate Diploma of Healthcare Leadership after completing all the above 8 units.
PBHL6004Leading Evidence-based Practice in Health
PBHL6005Critical Review in Health
PBHL6006Research Proposal for Health Innovation
Choose one elective:

Unit CodeUnit TitleNotes
MHNS5001Contemporary Mental Health
MHNS5002Mental Health Across the Lifespan
MHNS6002Mental Health in Community, Non-Government and Primary Health Settings
MHNS5003Acute Mental Health
MHNS6004Physical Health Care in Mental Health
MHNS5004Supporting Behaviour Change in Mental Health Contexts
MGMT5003Organisational Behaviour (Online)
HRMT6002Human Resource Management (Online)
MGMT6003The Positive Leader (Online)

Why Health at SCU

One of the best clinical lab facilities in Australia

Health Clinics on-campus provide safe and supervised environments for practicums

5-star health ratings

We are 5-star rated in psychology, nursing and health services and support

(GUG 2023)

Graduates in very high demand

Health graduates in very high demand as Health Care and Social Assistance is Australia's largest and fastest growing industry

Fees and Scholarships

Domestic students

You are a domestic student if you are an Australian citizen or permanent resident, New Zealand citizen, or Australian humanitarian visa holder. Your course will either be a Commonwealth Supported Place or a full fee-paying place. This is noted in the course snapshot.

Commonwealth Supported Places:

In a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP), the Government pays some of your fees and you pay the rest as the Student Contribution Amount (SCA).

SCA is calculated per unit, not per course. Eligible students can defer the SCA through a HECS-HELP loan.

Full Fee-Paying Places:

A full fee-paying place is where you pay the full (unsubsidised) tuition fee for your course. Eligible students can defer the payment of their tuition fees through the FEE-HELP scheme (including employer-reserved places for The Hotel School courses).

Also known as SSAF, the Student Services and Amenities Fee is a compulsory fee for most students used to provide important services and amenities to students both on and off campus. It’s charged per unit, based on the unit’s credit point value. Eligible domestic students have the option of deferring this fee through the SA-HELP loan scheme. More about SSAF

Depending on your course, your costs could also include computer equipment and software, books, stationery, field trips, uniforms or other course-specific expenses such as art materials, musical equipment or travel for practicums, internships, vaccinations or industry experience.

Scholarships vary in amount, from a few hundred to several thousand dollars each year. Eligibility isn't limited to top-performing students or those facing financial challenges; there are opportunities for individuals from diverse backgrounds and with different accomplishments. This ensures that education remains accessible to all, changing lives and helping individuals achieve their goals for a brighter future.

More about scholarships

Further fee information

Fees and Scholarships

International Students

If you're an international student, you can find the annual course cost in Australian dollars (AUD$) on our International Courses and Fees page or on the web page for your course under fees.

Also known as SSAF, the Student Services and Amenities Fee is a compulsory fee for most students used to provide important services and amenities to students both on and off campus. It’s charged per unit, based on the unit’s credit point value. Eligible domestic students have the option of deferring this fee through the SA-HELP loan scheme. More about SSAF

Depending on your course, your costs could also include computer equipment and software, books, stationery, field trips, uniforms or other course-specific expenses such as art materials, musical equipment or travel for practicums, internships, vaccinations or industry experience.

Southern Cross University offers a range of scholarships designed to support you while you study, available for a variety of backgrounds and achievements. Scholarships range from a few hundred dollars a year to several thousand dollars a year. Southern Cross has also introduced Access25, a new initiative for 2025 to delivering a quality education combined with a straightforward tuition model, ensuring every international student has equal access.

More about scholarships

Further fee information

Apply now

Preparing to apply

  1. Check requirements
  2. Get supporting documents ready
  3. Choose where and when from the available options

Click the Apply button to start your application in our Application Portal.

Choose where you want to study

SCU Online

International students studying online or outside of Australia

SCU Online

Dates for the diary

Our shorter, more focused six-week unit structure gives students a greater sense of momentum and motivation as they achieve milestones quickly. Application dates per Term are shown on each course page however refer to our key dates and teaching calendar for detail on when enrolment opens, studies commence and when grades are published. There are also Dual Term and Tri Term calendars for those who have specific subjects.

See key dates

Credit Transfer

Get a head start on your degree. Find out if you’re eligible for credit from previous studies.

Go to credit assessor

Entry Pathway

We believe in equal access to further education, so we offer a range of pathways to university.

Find a pathway