University of Southern Queensland
Master of Nursing (Leadership and Management in Health)
- Delivery: Online
- Study Level: Postgraduate
- Duration: 3 years
Build expert knowledge and understand the legal, ethical and social justice approaches to clinical leadership in healthcare settings.
Course overview
UniSQ’s Master of Nursing allows students to apply specialised knowledge, skills and technical abilities across five specialisations. Students build specialist skills to review data‑based research while identifying and implementing best practice care to improve individual and community health outcomes.
Students study the flexible Master of Nursing program online and part‑time, progressing their careers while fitting study into their lives and current nursing occupations. Students tailor their enrolment pattern to suit their interests, focusing on the clinical aspects of nursing or selecting the research pathway to develop enhanced skills in health research.
In the Master of Nursing (Leadership and Management in Health) program, students understand how to strategically approach performance management and people development to build and foster productive and cohesive teams. Students learn from lecturers who take an innovative approach to teaching interpersonal attributes, leading to improved collaboration, understanding of human resources, active communication solutions, problem‑solving and decision‑making parameters. Students become managers and strong leaders who understand the complex interactions of people’s behaviour at work by analysing individual, group and organisational behaviour.
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
14th September, 2026
What you will study
To earn this degree, students must complete 12 units.
- Contexts of Professional Health Practice
- Research Project Design
- Health Policy Analysis and Review
- Research Design and Methodologies
- Health Masters Project (two units)
Choose one of the following courses:
- The Law and Health Care Practice
- Culture as Determinant of Health
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, we accept 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 and 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:
- Display an advanced body of seminal, conceptual and data-based knowledge in nursing.
- Communicate advanced knowledge of research principles and methods applicable to health and nursing.
- Review conceptual and data-based literature using cognitive and technical skills to critique, evaluate and identify the best evidence to improve individual, community and population health outcomes.
- Apply evidence-based decision-making to clinical, policy, education and/or practice situations.
- Lead people and projects in diverse situations with high creativity, autonomy and accountability, demonstrating appropriate judgement and responsibility as an expert practitioner.
- Communicate at a high level in interpersonal, interprofessional, and intercultural situations with people of diverse ages, backgrounds, and needs.
- Employ advanced skills in competent, caring and professional nursing practice.
Career outcomes
As a strategic leader with strong theoretical skills and knowledge, you will have a nursing management degree that allows you to transition into leadership and managerial roles within a healthcare setting.
Graduates may find work as:
- Nurse Manager
- Clinical Unit Nurse Manager
- Nursing Resource Allocation Manager
- After‑hours Nurse Manager
- Health Researcher
- Nursing Director
Fees and CSP
Indicative annual fee in 2026: $8,948 (Commonwealth Supported Place)
All costs are calculated using current rates and are based on a study load of eight units (normally eight courses) per year.
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.
