University of Southern Queensland
Graduate Diploma of Nursing (Clinical Education)
- Delivery: Online
- Study Level: Postgraduate
- Duration: 24 months
Build knowledge of the core elements of learner‑centred education and become a clinical nurse educator for students, peers and other health professionals.
Course overview
- Work alongside diverse healthcare professionals to ensure optimal outcomes for both individuals and communities.
- Enhance leadership capabilities and develop skills to manage teams and projects effectively, while understanding the strategic decision‑making needed in a healthcare environment.
- Fit study into life while progressing a career with part‑time and online study.
- Explore the major theories of clinical education and the political, economic and societal issues related to career development.
- Learn key skills in face‑to‑face and online pedagogy specific to a clinical setting and develop clinical nurse educator resources to progress a career.
- Extend cognitive and practice skills and learn to critique, evaluate and identify best practice teaching methods for nursing education to improve the health outcomes of communities and individuals.
- Build the ability to successfully plan and deliver clinical education programs in healthcare settings, using innovative learning strategies tailored to nursing education.
- Explore online facilitation methods in relation to different teaching styles in both online and blended learning environments.
Become a specialist clinical nurse educator, developing innovative teaching methods for nursing education to improve health outcomes.
Further study
After completing the Graduate Diploma of Nursing, you can take credit for these courses and continue to complete the Master of Nursing.
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
What you will study
To earn this degree, students must complete eight units.
Core courses
- Contexts of Practice
- Research Design and Methodologies
- The Law and Health Care Practice OR Culture as Determinant of Health
Specialisation courses
- Introduction to Clinical Education
- Innovative Learning Strategies for the Healthcare Environment
Electives
- Choose two courses from the approved courses list
- Choose one elective course from the electives list
Visit UniSQ's website for the complete list of elective courses.
Entry requirements
- Completed a three-year bachelor's degree in nursing from an Australian university, or equivalent.
- Hold a current Professional Registration as a Division 1 nurse, or equivalent, with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) or a relevant regulatory body in the applicant's home country.
English language requirements
To meet the English language requirements for this degree, UniSQ accepts the minimum English language proficiency scores from one of the following tests. Your test must be completed within two years of applying to UniSQ.
- IELTS (Academic): Minimum overall score of 7.0 and a minimum score of 7.0 in the four components - listening, reading, writing and speaking.
- Pearson Test of English: Minimum overall score of 65 and a minimum score of 65 in each of the four communicative skills - listening, reading, writing and speaking.
- TOEFL iBT: Minimum total score of 94 and minimum score in each test section: 24 for listening and reading; 27 for writing; 23 for speaking.
Recognition of Prior Learning
If you have previously studied or have relevant work experience, you may be eligible for recognition of prior learning. This will help reduce the number of courses you must take to finish your program. Contact the university for more information.
Outcomes
Learning outcomes
Upon completion of this program, graduates will be able to:
- Apply specialised knowledge, skills and technical competencies across various health contexts.
- Communicate professionally and ethically in interpersonal, interprofessional and intercultural situations with people of diverse ages, backgrounds and needs.
- Collaborate with various healthcare professionals to provide patient care that meets and exceeds the national standards for nursing practice and achieve common goals.
- Reflect on practice to facilitate awareness and knowledge of one’s cognition and abilities, establishing a mechanism for lifelong learning.
- Critically analyse, synthesise and evaluate a range of data and evidence to provide solutions to complex nursing problems.
Career outcomes
Clinical nurse educators supervise and manage the assessment, planning and execution of clinical education programs in a range of health care settings within both the private and public sectors.
As a graduate, roles you may seek include:
- Clinical Nurse Educator
- Clinical Instructor
- Staff Development Coordinator
- Health Education Specialist
- Nurse Manager
Fees and CSP
Indicative annual fee in 2026: $9,536 (Commonwealth Supported Place)
All costs are calculated using current rates and are based on a study load of eight units.
Student annual 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.
Student fees shown are subject to change. Contact the university directly to confirm.
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 programs.
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.
HECS-HELP loans are available to CSP students to pay the student contribution amount.
