Australian Catholic University

What you'll study

This coursework master’s combines leadership theory with practical management tools tailored to healthcare settings. Core themes include strategic leadership in health, healthcare systems and policy, quality and safety, financial and human resource management, research methods and change management. Students typically complete a combination of compulsory core units and electives, and may choose a capstone project or research-based major project to apply learning to a real organisational problem.

• Leadership and Strategic Management in Healthcare — leadership styles, governance, strategic planning and stakeholder engagement.
• Healthcare Systems and Policy — health service organisation, policy analysis, and comparative systems.
• Quality, Safety and Performance Improvement — clinical governance, risk management, accreditation and improvement methodologies.
• Financial Management for Health Services — budgeting, financial reporting and funding models relevant to public and private providers.
• Human Resource and Workforce Planning — workforce models, industrial relations and professional development in health services.
• Project Management and Change Implementation — planning, delivering and evaluating service improvement projects.
• Research Methods and Evidence-based Practice — quantitative and qualitative methods to support data-informed decision making.
• Capstone or Major Project — applied project addressing a workplace or sector challenge, integrating academic and professional learning.

Entry requirements

Applicants are normally required to hold a recognised bachelor degree (in a health-related or related discipline) or equivalent qualification. Applicants without a bachelor degree but with substantial professional experience in health or health administration may be considered on a case-by-case basis. Many students enter with clinical backgrounds (nursing, allied health, medicine) or experience in health policy, management or community services.

Additional requirements commonly include English language proficiency for international applicants and evidence of relevant professional experience. Some units may require current professional registration or employer support if workplace-based projects are undertaken.

Career prospects

Graduates are prepared for leadership roles across public, private and not‑for‑profit health settings. Typical career pathways include:

• Health service manager or administrator (hospital departments, community health centres)
• Clinical team leader or unit manager
• Quality and safety coordinator or improvement manager
• Program or project manager for service development and implementation
• Policy advisor or analyst in government or peak health organisations
• Consultant in health management, workforce planning or systems redesign
• Pathway to further research study or doctoral programmes in health services research and policy

Why study at Australian Catholic University

ACU offers a values-driven approach to leadership education, emphasising ethical practice, social justice and person-centred care. The university combines health-focused academic staff and practitioners with links to hospitals, community organisations and government, supporting applied learning and industry-relevant projects.

Flexible delivery options, including on-campus and online study, suit working professionals. Smaller class sizes and opportunities for workplace-based capstone projects help students translate theory into practice within their own services. ACU also provides access to interdisciplinary networks across nursing, allied health and public health, enhancing collaborative leadership capabilities.