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University of Notre Dame Australia

Graduate Certificate in Clinical Leadership (Aspiring Leaders)

  • Delivery: Online
  • Study Level: Postgraduate
  • Duration: 6 months

Acquire the knowledge and skills you need as a registered nurse to support a career in clinical leadership.

Course overview

The Graduate Certificate in Clinical Leadership (Aspiring Leaders) program is focused on advancing the leadership and management skills of participants aspiring to clinical leadership positions. The program is suitable for nurses, midwives and allied health professionals. The courses of study will inform leadership and management strategies, quality processes, professional development and/or emotional intelligence. This program will equip participants with the fundamental knowledge and skills to prepare participants to progress in their careers within the clinical management settings.

The courses of study will inform leadership and management strategies, quality processes, professional development and/or emotional intelligence. This program will equip participants with the fundamental knowledge and skills to prepare participants to respond to leadership and management concerns faced on a day-to-day basis. The Clinical Leadership program places an emphasis on the individual as an adult learner and will value the knowledge and experience of students as they engage with the facilitator and experts in the clinical environment. The ethical foundation of the postgraduate student’s personal and professional life should help foster close relationships between staff, industry and community. In keeping with the University of Notre Dame’s philosophy, this program focuses on the development of the whole person with an emphasis on professional preparation and career advancement.

Key facts

Delivery
Online
Study level
Postgraduate
Course type
Graduate Certificate
Duration
More Information
Can be studied part time
6 months (Full time)
Units
4
Fees
More Information
FEE-HELP loans are available to assist eligible full-fee paying domestic students with the cost of a university course.
FEE-HELP
Price per unit
From $3,111
More Information
Fees are calculated based on a full-time study load of 50 units of credit.

What you will study

The Graduate Certificate in Clinical Leadership (Aspiring Leaders) program comprises four courses (100 units).

Compulsory courses (75 units)

  • Leadership Development Strategies in Health
  • Management
  • Patient Care, Quality and Best Practice in Nursing

Elective courses (25 units)

Select one course from the following:

  • Advanced Health Assessment
  • Professional Role Development
  • Clinical Governance
  • Deteriorating Patient
  • Professional Role Development
  • Emotional Intelligence
  • Counselling Skills for the Professions
  • Introduction to Perinatal and Infant Mental Health
  • Business Analytics
  • Negotiation Skills
  • Organisations, Power, Leadership and Transformation
  • Economics for Managers
  • Strategic Workforce Issues
  • Strategic Management & Planning
  • Leading Change

Entry requirements

To be eligible for admission to The University of Notre Dame Australia, all applicants must meet the university’s minimum requirements for admission. Visit the university's website or contact them for more information.

The program will be available to students who have a previous nursing degree or equivalent or who have a last allied health degree or professional equivalence.

Outcomes

Career outcomes

The Graduate Certificate in Clinical Leadership will allow qualified nurses to become clinical leaders in their chosen fields. Careers include nurse educators, nurse managers, nurse practitioners, researchers and research managers.

Learning outcomes

Upon successful completion of the Graduate Certificate in Clinical Leadership (Aspiring Leaders), graduates will be able to:

  • Integrate knowledge of leadership styles, team dynamics and work-life balance to build capability and responsiveness in the healthcare team.
  • Cultivate productive working relationships by guiding, mentoring and developing staff.
  • Communicate with influence and negotiate persuasively by listening, understanding and adapting to the audience.
  • Make decisions, manage conflict and collaborate effectively as a frontline nurse leader.
  • Critically appraise theories of change management and continuous improvement to build organisational capability and responsiveness in the delivery of high-quality healthcare.
  • Critique theories of power and their application to healthcare settings.
  • Research the impact of health policy on healthcare outcomes in the national and international arena.
  • Reflect on practice to facilitate awareness and knowledge of one’s own cognition in order to apply and build professional expertise establishing a mechanism for lifelong learning.

Fees and FEE-HELP

Estimated total fee in 2025: $12,444.50 (domestic full-fee paying place)

The estimated total fee is calculated based on a full-time study load of 100 units or four courses.

A student’s annual fee may vary per:

  • The number of courses studied.
  • Choice of programs.
  • 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.

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