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Why study healthcare leadership with SCU Online?

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Expand your skill set

Unlock new opportunities beyond frontline care with advanced skills and knowledge.

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Strategic leadership skills

Build strong leadership capabilities to drive impactful change in your organisation.

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Outstanding student support

#1 in Australia for Education Student Support 1

1 Good Universities Guide 2023

Lead the change in healthcare

The Australian healthcare sector is undergoing rapid and widespread change, increasingly disrupted by new technologies and a changing workforce as well as population. Whether you are a registered nurse or allied health professional, a Graduate Certificate in Healthcare Leadership can enable you to take a significant step forward in your career in Australia’s largest industry.

By completing Southern Cross University’s Online Graduate Certificate in Healthcare Leadership you will gain knowledge to meet the challenges and grab the opportunities of leadership in multidisciplinary and complex healthcare delivery. You’ll extend your knowledge in evidence based-care, and learn how to lead teams of health professionals in Australia’s healthcare systems. Our aim is to produce graduates that are career-ready. So join one of the world’s best universities under 50 years old and advance your career in healthcare.

Quick facts

  • Units
    4
  • Duration
    8 months part-time
  • Fees
    $2,712 per unit, FEE-HELP available
  • Intakes
    Jan, Mar, May, July, Aug, Oct

The SCU Online benefits

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Evidence-based thinking

Integrate evidence-based strategies across various healthcare disciplines to drive informed decision-making and enhance leadership effectiveness.

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User-friendly learning environment

Experience a seamless online learning platform that simplifies learning, making it easy to engage and progress.

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Tailored for professionals

Designed with busy healthcare professionals in mind, our program offers flexibility to balance education with demanding schedules.

How does the online Graduate Certificate in Healthcare Leadership work with SCU?

  • With no exams, you’ll learn through quizzes, videos, interactive presentations and more.
  • Connect with academics and students through online chat platforms and discussion boards.
  • Access support throughout the course, including feedback from a learning coach and a dedicated student success advisor from enrolment through to graduation.
  • Live classes are optional but encouraged for networking, while the course is self-paced.
  • To make the most of your learning experience, we recommend dedicating around 20 hours per week to your studies.

A typical study period at SCU Online

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Study Timeline

Pathway to masters

The Graduate Certificate in Healthcare Leadership provides you with the first significant step to advancing your career. If you finish your certificate and want to take your learning further, everything you complete will be credited towards your online Master of Healthcare Leadership.

Graduate Certificate
4 Units, or continue studying

Graduate Diploma
+ 4 Units, or continue studying

Masters Degree
+ 4 Units

Entry requirements

To qualify for entry into the Graduate Certificate in Healthcare Leadership, all applicants must:

  • Have successfully completed a minimum three (3) year Bachelor qualification, or equivalent, in a health-related discipline; AND
  • Be proficient in English.

Find out more about Rules Relating to Awards and Specific Award Rules.

Units of study

Evaluate and critically reflect on leadership, applying this knowledge to drive change and innovation.

Examine health service management from a strategic and planning perspective.

This unit explores health systems, policies and practices.

Analyse the role of accountability, as well as evaluate the concepts of professional accountability within organisations.

Get detailed information about each unit in our course guide.

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A nurse assists a patient in a hospital room, providing care and support in a clinical environment.

Learning outcomes

Lead positive change with the ability to research and present solutions to key stakeholders using the latest evidence-based theories in health practice.

Further, develop the interpersonal skills needed for effective healthcare leadership, from social and emotional competence, leading effective learning and development of strategy.

Learn contemporary theory, compare health systems, practices and policies to improve quality and efficiencies of services by taking advantage of the latest technology.

What our students do

Our students and graduates work across many roles in the healthcare industry. Below is a snapshot of some of these roles and jobs.

  • Acting Nurse Manager
  • Aboriginal Health Worker
  • Clinical Coach
  • Clinical Nurse
  • Social Work Department Manager
  • Nurse Unit Manager
  • Occupational Therapist
  • Registered Nurse
  • Speech Pathologist

Master of Healthcare Leadership graduate, Belynda Abbott shares her online student experience and why she studied her Master's at Southern Cross University.

Hi, my name is Belinda Abbott and I'm the clinical nurse consultant on ward 2C Neurosciences in the division of Surgery at the Princess Alexandra Hospital in Brisbane. Subheading: Why did you choose to study with Southern Cross University Online? There were other universities that offered courses around nursing leadership and health management, but Southern Cross University Online was the only one that offered the interdisciplinary approach I was looking for. This approach is the actual way of the future in health care in terms of working together with other departments to provide the best practice and the best patient and consumer outcomes. Subheading: How do you find the usability of the online learning platform? Blackboard, which is the online learning platform, was extremely easy to use and navigate. It was fantastic that I could communicate and receive feedback and support from other healthcare professionals during the course through the online discussion board. Subheading: Has your perception of online study changed? I think online study has become easy-to-use since the last postgraduate course I did back in 2005. The technology has improved and the experience is far more straightforward and user-friendly. The coursework is interactive, dynamic and engaging for students. Subheading: Were you satisfied with the support available? I receive support from my very own Student Success Advisor. They contacted me on a regular basis through phone calls and email. I always knew that there was support wherever and whenever I needed it. The academics and tutors were also very supportive and encouraging throughout the course. Subheading: What was your biggest challenge? I think the biggest challenge of online study for me was to balance family, full-time work and study but I constantly tried to reflect on the reason why I was undertaking the course, which enabled me to remain organised. I believe being self driven and motivated is so important. I also had to identify times where I'd fit in study and assignment work in amongst all my other commitments. I found that some of the work I was undertaking each week could be transferred over into my own assignments. I can strongly state that Southern Cross University online has been an extremely positive experience and I've gained so much over the last two years.

Our Accreditations and Endorsements

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Our online programs meet all of the AQF guidelines, ensuring quality education.

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5-STAR Rating for Full-Time Employment, Overall Experience, Student Support, Learning Resources, Teaching Quality and Skills Development.

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Southern Cross University is one of the world's Top 100 Young Universities.

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Our postgraduate student support and satisfaction both above the national average.

Meet our course coordinator

Dr Sarah Tillott is a mother, a researcher and a teacher, and she has university qualifications in the areas of health and education. With ten years of teaching at university, Sarah built the University of Wollongong's (UOW) Academic Resilience Framework and has received several outstanding teaching and learning awards. By utilising her experience and expertise, Sarah is available to assist students by bringing:

  • Years of teaching experience

    Gain insights into how to influence and drive positive changes in healthcare organisations and teams, as well as understand complex healthcare leadership concepts and practices.
  • Hands-on learning

    Be prepared for real-world challenges and gain a unique perspective from a healthcare leader within different community settings.
  • Community engagement and cultural sensitivity

    Learn about the importance of engaging with diverse communities and promoting inclusive healthcare leadership practices in a rapidly evolving industry.
  • Receive dedicated one-on-one support

    Have a question regarding an assignment, a unit topic or deadline? Sarah is available throughout the course to provide any support and feedback that you need to succeed.

Download a course guide

Find more information on our course, including:

  • Fees
  • Entry requirements
  • Units
  • Online platform
  • Current Step 1
  • Step 2
  • Step 3

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