Key facts
English language requirements
IELTS overall score of 6.5 with no individual band score less than 6 (or equivalent). More information is available at www.ielts.org
Duration
2 years full-time or part-time equivalent.
Current Deakin Students
To access your official course details for the year you started your degree, please visit the handbook
Course overview
With job growth of 23.1% projected for nurse managers by 2026,* there is an industry demand for registered nurses with the analytical, practical, communication and leadership skills needed to take on senior roles across a range of health care settings. Deakin’s Master of Advanced Nursing prepares you for a senior position within a multidisciplinary team or to be a leading voice in nursing.
Ranked 20th in the world,^ our School of Nursing and Midwifery is one of Australia’s largest and most established. You will learn from the best with the School’s cutting-edge research recognised as well above world standard.# You will graduate ready to advance your career, and work in leadership roles across nursing education, management, policy and research.
Are you ready to open the door to roles in advanced practice, education, management, policy and research?
The Master of Advanced Nursing prepares you to practice effectively at an advanced level. You will graduate with ethical, safe, high-quality and expert clinical decision-making skills. Plus, you will gain the specialised theoretical knowledge, evidence-based practice and person-centred care that is sought after in multidisciplinary teams.
As an experienced registered nurse, you will be challenged to advance your professional judgement to become a leader in evidence-based practice, and a change agent to improve the quality of nursing care and patient outcomes within modern healthcare practice.
We develop your clinical and leadership skills via core units. You will also have the opportunity to select from either a thesis or coursework stream to tailor the course according to your desired pathway.
The coursework stream allows you to customise your degree to match your career aspirations. You can choose from a mix of course-specific or general electives from across the university.
The thesis stream sets you up to pursue a research pathway upon graduation, with four dedicated thesis units and six elective units. Supported by a research supervision team and our expert staff you will create an individual research thesis.
Our course curriculum is shaped by industry insights and research from Deakin’s Centre for Quality and Patient Safety Research (QPS). QPS is a leader in clinical research, quality and risk management, and has researchers within six of Victoria’s major health services. This means the course material is evidence-based, patient-focused and informed by academics, researchers and clinical experts who are leaders in their fields.
Designed for postgraduate nursing students, our innovative online program delivers a rich, interactive and empowering learning experience that will encourage critical thinking, problem-solving and teamwork skills. Australia’s top-rated tech support and access to our expert teaching staff allow you to study flexibly around your work and other commitments, without compromising quality or support.
Want to further your career in a shorter time? Check out our Graduate Diploma of Advanced Nursing (H675) or Graduate Certificate of Advanced Nursing (H575).
Seeking to specialise in a specific area of nursing? See our Master of Advanced Clinical Nursing (H771) or associated graduate diploma and graduate certificate options with specialisations in cardiac, critical care, emergency, intensive care, intraoperative, perianaesthesia or perioperative nursing.
https://www.deakin.edu.au/course/H771
*2021 Employment Outlook – for the five years to November 2026, Australian Government National Skills Commission.
^2022 ShanghaiRankings Ranking of Academic Subjects.
Course information
- Award granted
- Master of Advanced Nursing
- Year
2023 course information
- Deakin code
- H777
- Level
- Higher Degree Coursework (Masters and Doctorates)
- Approval status
This course is approved by the University under the Higher Education Standards Framework.
- Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) recognition
The award conferred upon completion is recognised in the Australian Qualifications Framework at Level 9.
Course structure
To complete the Master of Advanced Nursing students must attain 12 credit points. Students can choose to complete a coursework stream or a thesis stream.
Students completing the coursework stream must complete 3 core (compulsory) units and 9 electives of which 6 must be from the course electives, listed below. The remaining electives must be level 7 postgraduate electives from anywhere in the university.
Students completing the thesis stream must complete 2 core (compulsory) units and 4 credit points of thesis units and a further 6 credit points of electives of which 4 must from course units, listed below. The remaining electives must be level 7 postgraduate electives from anywhere in the university.
All commencing Faculty of Health course work students are required to complete HAI010 Academic Integrity in their first trimester of study (0 credit point compulsory unit).
The Master of Advanced Nursing can be undertaken over 1½ years full time or 3 years part-time.
Students are required to meet the University's academic progress and conduct requirements. Click here for more information.
Coursework pathway
Plus 9 credit points of electives, which 6 must be from the course electives, the remaining can be from any level 7 electives from anywhere in the university.
Thesis pathway
Plus 6 credit points of electives, which 4 must be from the course electives, the remaining can be from any level 7 electives from anywhere in the university.
* Note - Students may only undertake a thesis if they have met the academic entry requirements of an overall WAM of 65 (Credit) in their previous studies.
Course electives
Intakes by location
The availability of a course varies across locations and intakes. This means that a course offered in Trimester 1 may not be offered in the same location for Trimester 2 or 3. Check each intake for up-to-date information on when and where you can commence your studies.
Trimester 1 - March
- Start date: March
- Available at:
- Online
Trimester 2 - July
- Start date: July
- Available at:
- Online
Workload
As a student in a online course in the Faculty of Health you will be expected to spend 11-13 hours every week studying, interacting via CloudDeakin and completing assessment tasks for each unit in your course.
Participation requirements
Reasonable adjustments to participation and other course requirements will be made for students with a disability. More information available at Disability support services.
Entry requirements
Entry information
- Bachelor of Nursing or equivalent, and
- Registration as a registered nurse with relevant statutory registration/licensing body with no conditions or restrictions and
- Applicants must have 12 months clinical experience as a registered nurse.
Deakin University offers admission to postgraduate courses through a number of Admission categories. To be eligible for admission to this program, applicants must meet the course requirements.
All applicants must meet the minimum English language requirements.
Please note: meeting minimum entry requirements does not guarantee an offer of a place. Entry into this program is based on competitive selection and there may be limited places available.
For more information on the Admission Criteria and Selection (Higher Education Courses) Policy visit the Deakin Policy Library
Recognition of prior learning
If you have completed previous studies which you believe may reduce the number of units you have to complete at Deakin, indicate in the appropriate section on your application that you wish to be considered for Recognition of Prior Learning. You will need to provide a certified copy of your previous course details so your credit can be determined. If you are eligible, your offer letter will then contain information about your Recognition of Prior Learning.
You can also refer to the Recognition of Prior Learning System which outlines the credit that may be granted towards a Deakin University degree.
Fees and scholarships
Fee information
Learn more about fees and your options for paying.
The 'Estimated tuition fee' is provided as a guide only based on a typical enrolment of students completing the first year of this course. The cost will vary depending on the units you choose, your study load, the length of your course and any approved Recognition of Prior Learning.
One year full-time study load is typically represented by eight credit points of study. Each unit you enrol in has a credit point value. The 'Estimated tuition fee' is calculated by adding together eight credit points of a typical combination of units for your course.
You can find the credit point value of each unit under the Unit Description by searching for the unit in the Handbook.
Learn more about tuition fees.
Scholarship options
A Deakin scholarship might change your life. If you've got something special to offer Deakin – or you just need the financial help to get you here – we may have a scholarship opportunity for you.
Postgraduate bursary
If you’re a Deakin alumnus commencing a postgraduate award course, you may be eligible to receive a 10% reduction per unit on your enrolment fees.
Apply now
Applications can be made directly to the University through StudyLink Connect - Deakin University's International Student Application Service. For information on the application process and closing dates, see the How to apply web page.
Fill out the application form and submit to a Deakin International office or take your application form to a Deakin representative for assistance
For information on the application process and closing dates, see the How to apply webpage.
If you’re still having problems, please contact Deakin International for assistance.
Entry pathways
Alternative exits
Careers
Career outcomes
Graduates of the Master of Advanced Nursing will be well placed to take advantage of this demand. Depending on the units you have completed, your expertise will allow you to pursue a range of roles, including:
- clinical nurse educator
- clinical nurse specialist
- associate or unit manager
- research roles
Professional recognition
Nurses employed under the Victorian public hospital award receive a higher duties allowance for postgraduate qualifications relevant to their practice.
Graduates of this course may be eligible to seek endorsement as a nurse practitioner via Pathway 2 as outlined on the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA) website.
Course learning outcomes
Deakin's graduate learning outcomes describe the knowledge and capabilities graduates can demonstrate at the completion of their course. These outcomes mean that regardless of the Deakin course you undertake, you can rest assured your degree will teach you the skills and professional attributes that employers value. They'll set you up to learn and work effectively in the future.
| Graduate Learning Outcomes | Course Learning Outcomes |
| Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities | Demonstrate expert clinical practice commensurate with nursing theoretical knowledge, evidence-based practice, and person-centred care. |
| Communication | Demonstrate expert communication skills to ensure the delivery of high quality, safe nursing care to patients. |
| Digital literacy | Evaluate complex information using digital technologies to effectively disseminate relevant healthcare information to patients and/or the multidisciplinary team. |
| Critical thinking | Analyse, evaluate and critique complex data from multiple sources to inform clinical decision making in the healthcare setting. |
| Problem solving | Apply expert nursing knowledge to complex problems in clinical practice to optimise patient outcomes. |
| Self-management | Demonstrate professionalism, accountability, reflection, and personal autonomy as an expert nurse. |
| Teamwork | Establish, maintain, and lead inclusive, collaborative professional relationships with all members of the multidisciplinary team. |
| Global citizenship | Demonstrate accountability for, and expert professional judgement in behaviours that uphold ethical principles of practice within diverse social, cultural, and environmental contexts. |
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