Deakin University
Master of Health Management
- Delivery: Face to Face
- Study Level: Postgraduate
- Duration: 12 months
Build your leadership, managerial and analytical skills to influence positive change in healthcare and open the door to senior roles within the sector.
Course overview
The Master of Health Management will prepare you to take the next step in your career in health. Alternatively, if you are working in a non-healthcare-related sector, this course will enable you to make a smooth career shift into health management.
As a graduate of the Master of Health Management, you will be empowered to become a leading voice in the health sector, which is Australia’s fastest-growing and one of the most well-funded. You will learn how to apply business and management skills to a health context and take a patient- and community-focused approach to healthcare. Gain a practical understanding of the dynamic realities of health management and develop core skills in:
- Leadership and Strategic Planning
- Health Needs Assessment and Evaluation
- Healthcare planning and monitoring
- Resource and project management
- Communication and negotiation.
Tailor the course to your career goals by selecting from one of six specialisations, including public health, health economics, business administration, disability and inclusion, sustainability in healthcare and research. You will also be able to gain real-world experience while you study, with options to undertake a work-integrated learning elective or to join an overseas study tour.
Our work-integrated learning elective will give you 150 hours of valuable industry experience. This can be an agency-based work placement with one of our many industry partners or agency-sponsored work at the Deakin Freelancing Hub. You’ll consolidate your theoretical knowledge in a work setting and build your professional network by working alongside influential figures in the health sector.
In addition, you can gain a global perspective of leading management practices by joining an overseas study tour. You can also better understand cross-cultural health approaches by connecting with and learning from policy makers, health and human services workers, educators and health agencies in the host country.
Key facts
What you will study
To complete the Master of Health Management, you must pass 12 or 16 credit points. The number of credit points required may vary, depending on your entry point or how much credit you receive as recognition of prior learning (RPL) based on your professional experience and previous qualifications.
A 16-credit-point Master of Health Management includes:
For students completing 16 credit points:
- Academic Integrity and Respect at Deakin (0-credit-point compulsory unit) in their first study period.
- 10 credit points of core units.
- One specialisation (6 credit points).
For students completing 12 credit points:
- Academic Integrity and Respect at Deakin (0-credit-point compulsory unit) in their first study period.
- 10 credit points of core units.
- Two credit points of elective units (taken from the list of specialisation units).
- Students completing the 12 credit point course will not complete a Specialisation.
All students must complete the following core units and one 0-credit-point unit:
- Academic Integrity and Respect at Deakin (0 credit points)
- Fundamentals of Digital Health
- Health Law and Ethics
- Principles and Practice of Public Health
- Health Economics 1
- Economic Evaluation 1
- Research Literacy
- Resource Allocation and Priority Setting
- Financial Interpretation
- Emerging Issues in International Operations
- Human Resource Management
Entry requirements
Selection is based on a holistic consideration of your academic merit, work experience, likelihood of success, availability of places, participation requirements, regulatory requirements and individual circumstances. You must meet the minimum course entry requirements to be considered for selection, but this does not guarantee admission.
Depending on your professional experience and previous qualifications, you can start this course with credit and complete your course in 1.5 years full-time (2 years part-time).
1.5 years full-time (or part-time equivalent) - 12 credit points
To be considered for admission to this degree (with four credit points of admission credit applied), you will need to meet all of the following criteria:
- Completion of a bachelor's degree or equivalent in a related discipline.
- At least two years full-time (or part-time equivalent) of relevant work experience.
Related disciplines include Nursing, Allied Health
2 years full-time (or part-time equivalent) - 16 credit points
To be considered for admission to this degree (without admission credit applied), you will need to meet the following criteria:
- Completion of a bachelor's degree in any discipline.
English requirements
To meet the English language proficiency requirements of this course, you will need to demonstrate at least one of the following:
- Bachelor's degree from a recognised English-speaking country.
- IELTS overall score of 6.5 (with no band score less than 6.0) in each test component.
- Other evidence of English language proficiency (learn more about other ways to satisfy the requirements).
Recognition of Prior learning
You can refer to the recognition of prior learning (RPL) system, which outlines the credit that may be granted towards a Deakin University degree and how to apply for credit, subject to conditions.
Outcomes
Learning outcomes
- Apply critical and advanced health and human services management knowledge, including research and current professional practices.
- Communicate effectively with a range of individuals and groups, using a variety of modes and methods in a health and human service context.
- Select and use digital technologies to locate, evaluate and disseminate research on complex health and human service management issues.
- Critically evaluate and synthesise complex information, problems, ideas, concepts and theories within a health and human services context.
- Apply creative strategies to address complex and ill-defined health and human services management problems.
- Demonstrate critically reflective self-management with relevant workloads, commitments and timeframes while displaying a commitment to ethical health and human services management practice and lifelong learning.
- Interact collaboratively and constructively with a diverse range of people across multiple teams and contexts to achieve targeted health and human services management outcomes.
- Demonstrate a critical awareness and sensitivity to cultural, ethnic, religious, social and political issues in health and human service management contexts.
Career outcomes
Your specialised skills combined with your practical experience will prepare you for management and leadership roles across a variety of areas, including:
- Public Health Departments
- Hospital Management
- Nursing Home Management
- Clinic Management
- Medical Practices
- Mental Health Organisations
- Community Health Centres
- Rehabilitation Centres
- Skilled Nursing Facilities
- Healthcare Associations
- Welfare and Human Service Delivery Organisations
- Policy Roles within government
- Major healthcare infrastructure projects
Fees and FEE-HELP
Estimated first-year tuition fee in 2025: $29,600 (domestic full-fee paying place)
All costs are calculated using current rates and are based on a full-time study load of eight credit points (typically eight units) per year.
A student’s annual fee may vary by:
- The number of units studied per term.
- The choice of major or specialisation.
- Choice of units.
- Credit from previous study or work experience.
- Eligibility for government-funded loans.
Student fees shown are subject to change. Contact the university directly to confirm.
FEE-HELP loans are available to assist eligible full-fee-paying domestic students with the cost of a university course.
