Excellence in research
Outstanding ratings of 'at world standard' or above in 23 research fields 1
Top 100 Young Universities
Ranked in the top 100 universities in the world that are 50 years old or younger 2
Outstanding student support
5-Star Student Support across undergraduate and postgraduate studies 1
1 Excellence in Research Australia (ERA) 2018
2 Times Higher Education 2024 Young University Rankings
The SCU Online Master of Healthcare Leadership difference
Are you thinking about studying a Master of Healthcare Leadership? At SCU, we’re cultivating the leaders of tomorrow, today, right in our very own backyard. We aim to provide an exceptional education experience through our unique learning model and innovative online platform. We’re committed to lifelong learning and providing equal access to education for everyone, regardless of background or location.
As one of the top universities in the world at only 25 years young, we’re pioneers in online education and have been doing so since 2015. We’re a rising, dynamic university that is proud to be a game changer and leader in education. That’s the SCU Online difference and why you should study a Master of Healthcare Leadership online with us.
Quick facts
- Units
12 - Duration
24 months part-time - Fees
$2,712 per unit, FEE-HELP available - Intakes
Jan, Mar, Apr, July, Sep, Nov
The SCU Master of Healthcare Leadership online benefits
Learn on your own terms
Own your educational journey by having the flexibility to manage your study, work and life commitments, without impacting your overall course progress.
Prepare to lead in complex and fast-paced healthcare environments
Apply your advanced/expert leadership skills and knowledge of the latest technologies in the strategic planning, response and effective management of change in an evolving industry.
Helping communities thrive
At SCU Online, we stand for our community. We’re committed to offering a vibrant teaching, learning, research and cultural environment to help you achieve your career goals.
Learn the latest healthcare leadership styles
Build interdisciplinary leadership skills you can apply in any health setting, including public hospital, private practice and aged care.
Unique learning model
Find the ideal balance between work, life and study through our unique seven-week study units. Apply the knowledge and skills you learn immediately to real-world situations.
Unparalleled support
Receive academic and non-academic support to assist with your study from enrolment through to graduation. Have full access to SCU campuses, including the library and other facilities.
How does the online Master of Healthcare Leadership degree 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
Career and salary outcomes
Nurse Manager, typical annual salary: $120,000
Nurse Unit Manager, typical annual salary: $128,000
Clinical Lead, typical annual salary: $110,000
Clinical Manager, typical annual salary: $115,000
Consultant Manager, typical annual salary: $165,000
Care Director, typical annual salary: $130,000
Wellbeing Manager, typical annual salary: $125,000
* Salary outcomes captured by Seek.com.au, accurate as of September 2023.
Early exit options
We know that plans change, which is why we’ve built flexible completion options into this course. If you need to exit early, you could still receive a graduate diploma or Graduate Certificate in 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 Master of Healthcare Leadership, all applicants must:
- Have a minimum three (3) year Bachelor qualification, or equivalent, in a health related discipline;
- Provide evidence of minimum one (1) year's work experience (related to the last five years) at degree level in a health related field and/or as acceptable to the Course Coordinator;
- Be proficient in English.
Find out more about Rules Relating to Awards and Specific Award Rules.
Units of study
This unit will guide you to evaluate and critically reflect on leadership to apply that knowledge to drive change and innovation within health and social care. Explore organisational environments in depth to identify and respond to opportunities for change, applying various leadership theories in a healthcare context.
Examine health service management from a strategic and planning perspective. You’ll explore the internal and external factors which impact contemporary health service environments.
With global healthcare systems struggling to keep up with population growth, this unit identifies weaknesses and helps you develop potential solutions.
Analyse and evaluate the concept and the role of governance and accountability in the health, social and community care settings.
Reflect on your own professional practice and learning through this unit, which provides support for students seeking to develop their portfolio.
This unit will extend your theoretical knowledge in addition to your social and emotional skills to improve communication, teamwork and client safety.
If you’re looking to hone your leadership skills in a clinical learning environment, this unit is for you.
Healthcare is in a vulnerable position. The industry requires strong, confident leaders to guide it into the future. With the world’s vastly expanding population, it has never been a better time to study Leadership and Management in Health.
This unit introduces you to an evidence-based approach to health practice. You will explore key research methodologies and designs, frame relevant structured questions, search databases and critically appraise different types of evidence to consider how that evidence might inform responses in day-to-day health practice settings.
Broaden and deepen your understanding of literature analysis and research design in relation to an area relevant to their professional practice. In this unit, you will produce a critical literature review that supports the need for either future research or practice improvement.
In this unit, you will design and produce a research proposal for future work opportunities. During this process, you will analyse and address the ethical implications of your proposal and compile an appropriate ethics application.
Get detailed information about each unit in our course guide.
Learning outcomes
Lead change and innovation within health and social care contexts by developing innovative solutions using the latest evidence-based theories in health practice.
Develop a range of interpersonal and practical skills you can apply to formulate, implement and evaluate effective strategies in health service management settings.
Learn contemporary theory and the latest relevant technologies, comparing health systems, practices and policies to improve quality and efficiencies of services.
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.
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.
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 is that you choose the times when you study to suit your lifestyle and being able to meet and learn with other healthcare professionals from around Australia and overseas.
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 focussed more on reflective practice and self-reflection.
As a mother of two children, and working as a Clinical Coordinator at St Vincent's Private Hospital, studying a MHL at SCU Online has provided flexibility for study time, family life and work commitments.
Frequently asked questions
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, more opportunities, and more transferable skills you can take with you into the future.
This degree focuses on building interdisciplinary leadership skills. Whatever your health background, completing a Master of Healthcare Leadership gives you more flexibility, more opportunities and more transferable skills you can take with you into the future.
To qualify for entry into the Master of Healthcare Leadership, all applicants must:
- Have a minimum three (3) year Bachelor qualification, or equivalent, in a health related discipline;
- Provide evidence of minimum one (1) year's work experience (related to the last five years) at degree level in a health related field and/or as acceptable to the Course Coordinator;
- Be proficient in English.
Find out more about Rules Relating to Awards and Specific Award Rules.
The Southern Cross University Online Master of Healthcare Leadership requires you to complete 12 units. With six study periods a year, you could complete those 12 units in two years when studying part-time.
To gain your Master of Healthcare Leadership you will complete eleven core units and one (1) elective unit.
Below are some of the key learning outcomes of our Master of Healthcare Leadership.
Use contemporary theory to drive change:
- Lead positive change with the ability to research and present solutions to key stakeholders using the latest evidence-based theories in health practice.
Become a strategic healthcare leader:
- Further, develop the interpersonal skills needed for effective healthcare leadership, from social and emotional competence, leading effective learning and development of strategy.
Adapt to changing healthcare systems:
- Learn contemporary theory, compare health systems, practices and policies to improve quality and efficiencies of services by taking advantage of the latest technology.
We may recognise and grant credit for past education, qualifications and/or work experience in a process called advanced standing. If you're eligible for advanced standing, this can impact the number of units you need to study, reducing the time and cost of your overall degree.
Find out more about applying for advanced standing.
Advanced standing focuses primarily on receiving credit from previous academic study, such as an undergraduate or postgraduate degree, while RPL encompasses a wider range of learning experiences as well as professional work experience. Both processes provide the opportunity for you to have your prior learning recognised, thereby reducing the amount of time and effort required to complete the Master of Healthcare Leadership online.
