In This Article
- 1. Graduate Certificate in Critical Care at the University of Technology Sydney
- 2. Graduate Certificate in Health Research at the University of Canberra
- 3. Graduate Certificate in Child and Family Health at the University of Technology Sydney
- 4. Graduate Diploma of Mental Health at Southern Cross University
- 5. Graduate Diploma of Nursing Majoring in Advanced Practice at James Cook University
- 6. Master of Health Services Management Majoring in Quality and Safety at the University of Technology Sydney
- 7. Master of Nursing (Chronic Disease and Ageing) at Victoria University
- Benefits of upskilling with a specialisation
- Propel your healthcare career in 2025
The healthcare landscape continues to evolve rapidly. With advancements in technology, a growing population and the rising demand for specialised skills, upskilling has never been more critical. Healthcare professionals who pursue specialised education not only refine their expertise but also position themselves for leadership roles and more niche career opportunities.
This guide explores seven specialised healthcare courses designed to help you stay competitive and ahead of the curve in 2025. From critical care to mental health , these programs offer essential building blocks for career advancement in many healthcare sectors.
1. Graduate Certificate in Critical Care at the University of Technology Sydney
Who is this course for?
- Nurses employed in critical care settings (emergency departments or intensive care units)
- Health professionals looking to progress their careers into leadership and advanced practice roles
Entry requirements
To be eligible for entry into this course, you must have one of the following:
- A UTS-recognised bachelor's degree in nursing or equivalent
- Current Ahpra and NMBA registration as a nurse and evidence of current work in a critical care environment
- At least one year of post-registration clinical experience demonstrated through a Statement of Service
- Recent relevant work experience in a clinical healthcare role, including evidence of the capacity to undertake tertiary study (for example, a completed hospital or college certificate and relevant professional development)
Delivery mode: Online, part-time (15–20 hours per week) over eight months
Start dates for 2025: January, March, May, July, August and October
Is FEE-HELP available? Yes
Is CSP available? No
H3: What skills will I learn in the Graduate Certificate in Critical Care?
This critical care nursing course will prepare you to manage and care for individuals with life threatening conditions, injuries and complications. You will gain knowledge in critical care concepts, therapeutic interventions and evaluating complex patient data.
Units you will study include:
- Complex Critical Care
- Professional Practice in Critical Care
- Applied Pathophysiology in Practice
- Specialty Clinical Practice
Some key skills you may learn from these units include:
Communication in critical care
Learn how to effectively navigate critical conversations, collaborate with multidisciplinary teams and address sensitive topics such as end-of-life care and organ donation.
Clinical decision-making
Analyse complex patient data, apply evidence-based interventions and make timely, informed decisions in high-pressure environments.
Leadership and professionalism
Develop situational awareness, clinical leadership and ethical decision-making to respond confidently to rapidly changing healthcare scenarios.
Application of pathophysiological knowledge
Develop an understanding of key pathophysiological processes that result in clinical manifestations of disease to advance your clinical practice.
Cultural competence
Deliver culturally responsive care with a focus on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health while considering historical and contemporary influences on healthcare delivery.
2. Graduate Certificate in Health Research at the University of Canberra
Who is this course for?
- Healthcare practitioners and policymakers keen on impacting health research and policy
- Professionals considering a pathway to a Master of Health (Research) or a PhD in Health
Entry requirements:
To be eligible for entry into this course, you must have one of the following:
- A bachelor’s degree in a health discipline
- Five years of work experience in the healthcare sector
Delivery mode: Face-to-face, full-time or part-time options (15–20 hours per week).
Start dates for 2025: February, May and July
Is FEE-HELP available? No
Is CSP available? Yes
What skills will I learn in the Graduate Certificate in Health Research?
This course will provide you with the skills to design, conduct and analyse health research to drive improvements in healthcare and policy. You will gain knowledge in research methodologies, including epidemiology, statistical analysis and qualitative and quantitative techniques.
Units you will study include:
- Research Planning
- Qualitative Research Practice in Health
- Quantitative Research Practice in Health
- Epidemiology and Principles of Research
Some key skills you may learn from these units include:
Research planning and management
Learn to design and plan research projects by formulating research questions, selecting appropriate methodologies and considering ethical and budgetary aspects.
Critical evaluation of research
Develop the ability to critically analyse, evaluate and synthesise relevant literature to identify knowledge gaps.
Qualitative research skills
Gain expertise in designing and conducting qualitative studies including data collection, analysis and presentation of findings with a focus on validity and ethical considerations.
Quantitative research skills
Build proficiency in applying statistical methods to analyse and interpret health data accurately, ensuring reliability and validity in research outcomes.
Applying core principles of epidemiology
Gain skills in analysing health data, evaluating study designs and applying statistical methods to measure disease frequency and associations while addressing potential biases and confounders.
Technical proficiency
Build competence in technical writing, data retrieval and applying ethical guidelines to ensure high-quality health research outcomes.
3. Graduate Certificate in Child and Family Health at the University of Technology Sydney
Who is this course for?
- Registered nurses or midwives looking to specialise in child and family health
Entry requirements:
- A UTS-recognised bachelor’s degree in midwifery or nursing
- Current AHPRA and NMBA registration as a midwife or nurse
Delivery mode: Online, part-time (15–20 hours per week) over eight months
Start dates for 2025: March, June and October
Is FEE-HELP available? Yes
Is CSP available? No
What skills will I learn in the Graduate Certificate in Child and Family Health?
This course equips you with the skills to support the health and wellbeing of children and families across various stages of development. You’ll gain comprehensive physical, developmental and socio-emotional assessment skills and apply evidence-based practices.
Practical, hands-on experience is a key component of the course with mandatory clinical programs in early childhood health settings which provides real-world application of your skills.
Units you will study include:
- Foundations of Child and Family Health
- Family and Community Health in Practice
- Growth and Development in the Younger Child
- Growth and Development in the Older Child
Some key skills you may learn from these units include:
Applying primary healthcare principles
Gain the ability to integrate primary healthcare and health promotion strategies to support child and family health outcomes effectively.
Identifying and addressing family and community needs
Develop the skills to identify and address the unique challenges faced by families including cultural diversity, family violence and substance misuse while collaborating with support services.
Conducting developmental and health assessments
Learn to perform comprehensive physical, socio-emotional and developmental assessments of infants and young children using evidence-based tools.
Providing culturally responsive care
Enhance your ability to provide respectful, family-centred care that acknowledges and integrates diverse worldviews, particularly Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives.
Promoting nutrition and wellbeing
Build knowledge and practical skills to support optimal feeding and nutrition practices for infants and young children while addressing key nutrition issues within family and community contexts.
Effective communication and collaboration
Strengthen interpersonal skills to engage with families, children and healthcare professionals, ensuring holistic and coordinated care delivery.
Analysis and decision-making
Develop the ability to critically analyse complex family health dynamics and apply innovative solutions to improve health outcomes across diverse communities.
4. Graduate Diploma of Mental Health at Southern Cross University
Who is this course for?
- Nurses
- Allied health professionals
- Practitioners looking to specialise in mental health care
Entry requirements: A completed bachelor’s degree in a relevant healthcare field
Delivery mode: Online, part-time (15–20 hours per week) over 16 months
Start dates for 2025: January, March, May, July, August and October
Is FEE-HELP available? Yes
Is CSP available? No
What skills will I learn in the Graduate Diploma of Mental Health?
This course equips you with the clinical capabilities and theoretical knowledge to deliver effective mental health care. You will develop skills in conducting mental health assessments, managing crises and supporting behaviour change. Additionally, you will learn to provide community-based care, promote physical wellbeing and apply evidence-based practices to improve mental health outcomes.
Units you will study include:
- Contemporary Mental Health
- Mental Health Across the Lifespan
- Mental Health in Community, Non-Government and Primary Health Settings
- Acute Mental Health
- Supporting Behaviour Change in Mental Health Contexts
- Building a Professional Portfolio
- Leading Evidence-based Practice in Health
- Physical Healthcare in Mental Health
Some key skills you may learn from these units include:
Conducting mental health assessments
Develop skills to assess and diagnose mental health conditions across diverse life stages and populations.
Managing mental health crises
Strengthen your ability to assess risk, apply crisis intervention strategies and manage psychiatric emergencies within ethical and legal frameworks.
Delivering community-based mental health services
Learn to provide mental health care and support in community, non-government and private health settings while navigating healthcare funding models and access pathways.
Promoting physical health in mental health care
Acquire the skills to address physical health needs, including nutrition, exercises and disease prevention to improve holistic wellbeing for people with mental health conditions.
Applying evidence-based mental health practices
Learn to critically appraise research and integrate evidence-based approaches to enhance mental health services.
Developing a professional portfolio
Gain the ability to create a portfolio that showcases your professional learning and achievements. You will learn to plan and implement strategies to collect, document and reflect on evidence of your skills, knowledge and growth in mental health care.
5. Graduate Diploma of Nursing Majoring in Advanced Practice at James Cook University
Who is this course for?
- Registered nurses aiming to deepen clinical expertise and move into senior nursing and nurse leadership roles.
Entry requirements:
- Bachelor’s degree in nursing and current AHPRA registration
- At least one year of full-time clinical nursing or midwifery experience, or part-time equivalent
Delivery mode: Online, part-time (15–20 hours per week) over 16 months
Start dates for 2025: January, March, May, July, September and October
Is FEE-HELP available? Yes
Is CSP available? No
What skills will I learn in the Graduate Diploma of Nursing Majoring in Advanced Practice?
In this course, you will learn advanced clinical and diagnostic skills required to provide high-quality, evidence-based nursing care. You will develop expertise in conducting comprehensive health assessments, managing safe medication practices and applying diagnostic reasoning. Additionally, you will gain skills in clinical governance, digital health and communication to enhance patient care and improve patient outcomes.
Units you will study include:
- Synthesising Evidence for Healthcare
- Effective Clinical Governance
- Professional Communication in Healthcare
- Informatics for Health Professionals;
- Advanced Health Assessment
- Quality Use of Medicines in Practice
- Applied Health Assessment and Advanced Practice
- Diagnostic Reasoning for Advanced Practice
Some key skills you may learn from these units include:
Synthesising evidence for healthcare
Develop skills to critically evaluate and synthesise research findings to inform clinical decision-making and advance healthcare practice.
Implementing clinical governance
Gain expertise in applying clinical governance principles to improve healthcare safety and quality through the use of system-based analysis and quality improvement tools.
Applying advanced communication in healthcare
Build proficiency in professional communication strategies including managing difficult conversations and learning how to use digital platforms effectively.
Utilising digital health and informatics
Learn to apply digital health tools, analyse implementation challenges and promote person-centred care through digital leadership and professionalism.
Performing advanced health assessments
Gain the ability to conduct comprehensive physical examinations, take health histories and deliver person-centred care based on advanced clinical reasoning.
Applying diagnostic reasoning
Develop expertise to interpret clinical data, prioritise patient care and make evidence-based diagnostic decisions for acute and chronic health conditions.
6. Master of Health Services Management Majoring in Quality and Safety at the University of Technology Sydney
Who is this course for?
- Professionals in health and social care who want to initiate change and improve the quality, safety and equity of healthcare systems.
- Professionals looking to develop leadership skills and expertise in navigating the complexities of the Australian healthcare system.
Entry requirements:
To be eligible for entry into this course, you must have one of the following:
- Completion of an Australian bachelor's degree or higher qualification in education or health fields
- At least one year full-time (1,800+ hours) relevant work experience in health or social care sectors (excluding internships) and demonstrated prior learning in tertiary study. Work experience and education history must be demonstrated via a CV and Statement of Service from the employer verifying the requisite 1,800+ hours and a certificate of previous academic or professional qualifications
Delivery mode: Online, part-time (15–20 hours per week) over 24 months
Start dates for 2025: January, March, May, July, August and October
Is FEE-HELP available? Yes
Is CSP available? No
What skills will I learn in the Master of Health Services Management Majoring in Quality and Safety?
In this master’s course, you will develop advanced leadership, organisational and strategic skills to drive transformative change and improve healthcare service delivery.
During the course, you will complete six core units, gaining a solid foundation in areas such as data analysis, organisational management and value-based care.
These core units are:
- Foundations of Healthcare Systems
- Leading Health and Social Care
- Using Healthcare Data for Decision Making
- Improving Safety and Quality in Healthcare
- Organisational Management in Healthcare
- Managing for Value-Based Care
In addition to these units, you will also choose two units from an approved list of specialisation options and complete four specialised units in quality and safety to further develop your expertise.
These specialised units are:
- Systems and Service Innovation
- Implementing and Evaluating Change
- Quality and Safety Improvement Methods
- Fundamentals of Epidemiology
Some key skills you may learn from these specialised units include:
Driving systems and service innovation
Develop skills to assess, design and support innovations in health and social care using human-centred design and system approaches that foster creativity, critical thinking and collaboration.
Leading and evaluating change initiatives
Gain expertise in implementing and evaluating workplace change through change management theories, frameworks and evaluation methods tailored to health and social care settings.
Applying epidemiological analysis
Build skills to calculate, interpret and apply disease measures and population health data to inform evidence-based decisions in public health and healthcare services.
Enhancing quality and safety
Gain an applied understanding of improvement science to drive quality, safety and efficiency in health and social care. Learn to identify and address areas for improvement, implement evidence-based initiatives and evaluate their impact on organisational performance.
Planning and reporting quality improvement initiatives
Gain expertise in monitoring, evaluating and reporting on healthcare improvement methods, ensuring they lead to long-term enhancements in service efficiency and patient care.
7. Master of Nursing (Chronic Disease and Ageing) at Victoria University
Who is this course for?
- Nurses interested in gaining advanced knowledge for senior roles in aged and nursing care and providing support for people with complex comorbidities.
Entry requirements:
- Bachelor’s degree in nursing and current AHPRA registration
- At least one year of full-time clinical nursing experience, or part-time equivalent.
Delivery mode: Online, part-time (15–20 hours per week) over 24 months.
Is FEE-HELP available? Yes
Is CSP available? No
What skills will I learn in the Master of Nursing (Chronic Disease and Ageing)?
In this master’s course, you will undertake eight core subjects that provide a strong foundation in leadership, care coordination, research and analytics. These core subjects are:
- Promoting Cultural Competence and Community Health
- Care Coordination in Practice
- Leading Improvement and Innovation
- Evidence and Research for Practice
- Complex Care Coordination
- Nursing Informatics
- Professional Development in Practice
- Mental Health Nursing
In addition to these core subjects, you will also complete four specialised units in chronic disease and ageing to develop your expertise further. You will develop advanced clinical, analytical and research skills to provide holistic, evidence-based care for older adults with chronic conditions.
These specialised units are:
- Innovation in Aged Care Practice
- Ageing and Chronic Disease
- Health and Wellbeing for the Older Person
- Research Project: Chronic Disease and Ageing
Some key skills you may learn from these specialised units include:
Providing comprehensive care for older adults with chronic conditions
Develop the ability to plan, assess and implement client-centred care strategies for older individuals with complex comorbidities, ensuring holistic and individualised support.
Innovating in aged care practices
Gain skills in designing and applying care interventions that improve health outcomes for older patients, their families and carers.
Detecting and managing chronic diseases
Enhance your ability to identify, treat and evaluate care programs tailored to older individuals living with chronic health conditions.
Effective communication and advocacy
Learn how to build strong relationships with older individuals and their support networks to advocate for their needs and deliver evidence-based care.
Promoting health and wellbeing
Learn to implement integrated care and self-management interventions that empower older individuals to achieve better health outcomes and improved quality of life.
Conducting research in aged care
Develop advanced research skills by undertaking primary studies or systematic reviews, applying qualitative and quantitative methodologies and present findings for professional dissemination.
Benefits of upskilling with a specialisation
- Better job prospects: Upskilling with a specialisation in healthcare can significantly enhance your employability, as industries seek qualified professionals to meet growing demands. You also may have greater access to more diversity in your career path, giving you a competitive advantage and more choice of preferred roles.
- More refined skill set: Specialising allows you to develop advanced knowledge and expertise in a particular area of healthcare, enabling you to focus deeply on the specific skills and nuances of that field. This refinement could make you more adept at handling complex presentations and positions you as a trusted expert in your niche area.
- Higher salary potential: Further education can help you pursue higher-paying roles that appropriately reflect your added value, expertise and advanced training. Specialising in a specific area demonstrates an understanding of health data analysis, complex conditions, treatments and patient care in both non-clinical and patient-facing roles, making you an indispensable asset to any healthcare or research team.
- Career advancement: As your skills grow, so do opportunities to move into roles with greater responsibilities. Additional expertise can position you for more senior decision-making positions, such as leadership and management roles. You may also seek networking possibilities with professionals in your field, leading to collaborations and partnerships that can further advance your career.
- Personal fulfilment: Specialising in a particular area of healthcare can help promote feelings of personal fulfilment. By focusing on an area that you are passionate about, you can make a significant impact in your niche health field. This sense of purpose and accomplishment can lead to improved workplace relations and better job satisfaction in your chosen career path.
Propel your healthcare career in 2025
Obtaining specialised skills allows health professionals to provide more precise, effective care tailored to individual patient needs, improving outcomes and advancing the overall quality of healthcare. Moreover, it opens opportunities for leadership roles, research contributions and the ability to mentor others in your area of expertise, further solidifying your value within the field.
Specialised healthcare courses open doors to career advancements, leadership roles and greater job satisfaction. Explore the various health topics listed above and discover how to excel in your future healthcare career.
GlobalHealth Education’s university partners offer healthcare courses in a range of fields, including social work, public health, counselling, nursing, psychology, leadership and mental health. Choose a course and speak with a Student Enrolment Advisor for tailored support and help with the enrolment process.
