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.
CSP Subsidised Fees Available
This program has a limited quota of Commonwealth Supported Places (CSP). The indicative CSP price is calculated based on first year fees for EFT. The actual fee may vary if there are choices in electives or majors.
Key facts
From $592 (CSP)
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 CSP
Estimated total fee in 2026: From $2,368 (Commonwealth Supported Place)
Estimated total fee in 2026: From $12,900 (domestic full-fee paying place)
All costs are calculated using current rates and are based on a study load of 100 units of credit (normally four courses) per semester or year.
Student fees may vary in accordance with:
- The number of courses studied per term.
- The choice of major or specialisation.
- Choice of courses.
- Credit from previous study or work experience.
- Eligibility for government-funded loans.
You may also need to pay the student services and amenities fee.
Commonwealth Supported Places
The Australian Government allocates a certain number of CSPs to the universities each year, which are then distributed to students based on merit.
If you're a Commonwealth Supported Student (CSS), you'll only need to pay a portion of your tuition fees. This is known as the student contribution amount – the balance once the government subsidy is applied. This means your costs are much lower.
Limited CSP spaces are offered to students enrolled in selected postgraduate courses.
Your student contribution amount is:
- Calculated per the course you're enrolled in.
- Dependent on the study areas they relate to.
- Reviewed and adjusted each year.
Student fees shown are subject to change. Contact the university directly to confirm.
HECS-HELP loans are available to CSP students to pay the student contribution amount.
FEE-HELP loans are available to assist eligible full-fee paying domestic students with the cost of a university program.
