Southern Cross University
Master of Healthcare Leadership
- Delivery: Online
- Commitment: 15 - 20 hours/week
- Study Level: Postgraduate
- Duration: 24 months
Delivered 100% online, this course is suitable for people from a broad range of backgrounds and is designed to give you a range of skills you can take with you into the future.
Course overview
The online Master of Healthcare Leadership is designed to give you a broad, interdisciplinary perspective on the changing face of healthcare. You might be a registered nurse with many years of experience and want to move out of direct care, or you might be from an allied health background, such as physiotherapy, osteopathy, counselling or optometry, wanting to start your own practice.
Whatever your health background, completing a Master of Healthcare Leadership online gives you more flexibility, opportunities and transferable skills for the future.
Key facts
6th July, 2026
31st August, 2026
26th October, 2026
What you will study
To be eligible to receive the Master of Healthcare Leadership Online, students must complete 12 units comprising 11 core units and one elective.
Complete the following core units:
- Leading Change in Healthcare
- Strategic Planning and Management in Healthcare
- Envisioning Health Systems, Policies and Practices
- Governance and Accountability in Health Care
- Building a Professional Portfolio
- Social and Emotional Competence in Health Care
- Effective Teaching and Supervision in Healthcare
- Contemporary Health Leadership
- Leading Evidence-based Practice in Health
- Critical Review in Health
- Research Proposal for Health Innovation
Entry requirements
To qualify for entry into the Master of Healthcare Leadership, all applicants must:
- Have successfully completed a minimum three-year bachelor's qualification, or equivalent, in a health-related discipline.
- Provide evidence of a minimum of one year of full-time and current work experience at the degree level in a health-related field and/or as acceptable to the School Board.
- Be proficient in English
Recognition of Prior Learning
Gain credit for your previous experience and graduate even sooner with Advanced Standing. SCU proactively assess each student’s prior learning, qualifications and professional experience and provides custom pathways to complete your Master of Healthcare Leadership online.
Contact the university or visit their website for more information.
Outcomes
Learning outcomes
- Apply contemporary theory to achieve innovative change: Lead change and innovation within health and social care contexts by developing innovative solutions using the latest evidence-based theories in health practice.
- Apply strategic management principles: Develop a range of interpersonal and practical skills you can apply to formulate, implement and evaluate effective strategies in health service management settings.
- Adapt to changing healthcare systems: Learn contemporary theory and the latest relevant technologies, comparing health systems, practices and policies to improve the quality and efficiency of services.
Career outcomes
Possible careers include:
- Nurse Manager
- Nurse Unit Manager
- Clinical Lead
- Clinical Manager
- Consultant Manager
- Care Director
- Wellbeing Manager
Fees and FEE-HELP
Fee per unit in 2026: $2,875 (domestic full-fee paying place)
Total course fee in 2026: $34,500 (domestic full-fee paying place)
The number of units you must complete to graduate depends on the course and if you receive advanced standing. This, in turn, will effect how much your Southern Cross University Online course fees will cost you.
Student fees may vary in accordance with:
- 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.
You may also need to pay the student services and amenities fee.
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.
Student Testimonials
Kamala Skinner
The skills I have developed in this course have contributed to changes in my practice, which have then been passed on to my staff and the organisation. No knowledge gained from this course has or will ever be wasted.
Carolyn Baker
The course is challenging yet rewarding and relevant to healthcare professionals working in the complex environments of the Australian healthcare system. Some of the advantages of learning online are that you choose the times when you study to suit your lifestyle and are able to meet and learn with other healthcare professionals from around Australia and overseas.
Dave Levings
My learnings have enabled me to expand my knowledge of critical thinking and with this in mind, I feel I have developed better ways to problem solve. I have also focused more on reflective practice and self-reflection.
Donna Kelly
As a mother of two children and working as a Clinical Coordinator at St Vincent's Private Hospital, studying an MHL at SCU Online has provided flexibility for study time, family life and work commitments.
