Key facts
Duration
2 years full-time or part-time equivalent, depending on your entry point
Locations
Current Deakin Students
To access your official course details for the year you started your degree, please visit the handbook
Course overview
Build the leadership, managerial and analytical skills to influence positive change in healthcare with the Master of Health and Human Services Management. Open the door to senior roles within the health sector and use your platform to improve healthcare delivery and contribute to healthier communities.
Want the skills to lead from the front in the growing health and human services sector?
Healthcare managers are collectively responsible for managing the many billions of taxpayer dollars that fund this area. That is a significant responsibility, but it’s also an incredible opportunity to make positive changes that benefit individuals, communities and countries. With a Master of Health and Human Services Management, you will have a significant role to play not just in the allocation of precious resources, but also in the way healthcare organisations operate, evolve and deliver health services into the future.
The course is about more than just applying business and management skills in a health context. It explores what best practice looks like in the complex world of health services management. Everything you learn – and the way you learn – prepares you to navigate the exact challenges faced by health and human services professionals today.
Develop core skills that allow you to make evidence-based decisions that improve the quality of health services, including:
- leadership and strategic planning
- health needs assessment and evaluation
- healthcare planning and monitoring
- resource and project management
- communication and negotiation.
You will have the opportunity to select from a broad range of elective units across five specialisation areas: public health, health economics, business administration, disability and inclusion and research. Electives allow you to build an impressive set of specialised skills curated to your unique interests and career goals. Whether you see yourself managing a clinic or hospital, leading projects promoting mental health, or shaping policy at a government level, you will graduate with the skills to manage every challenge your role throws at you.
For those who like to learn by doing, the course’s many practical learning opportunities are a highlight. In particular, the new work-integrated learning elective allows you to undertake 150 hours of valuable industry experience. This can be an agency-based work placement with one of our many industry partners, or agency-sponsored work based at the Deakin Freelancing Hub. These projects convert the theoretical knowledge you gain through coursework into lived experience, which in turn boosts your work readiness and employability. They also allow you to work alongside influential figures in the health services sector and build professional networks that unlock new career pathways. On top of that, you can gain a global perspective of leading management practices by joining an overseas study tour, and get even more industry experience with an internship at a prominent NGO, such as the United Nations.
Read MoreCourse information
- Award granted
- Master of Health and Human Services Management
- Year
2024 course information
- Deakin code
- H756
- CRICOS code?
- 056060C Burwood (Melbourne)
- Level
- Higher Degree Coursework (Masters and Doctorates)
- Approval status
This course is approved by the University pursuant to the Higher Education Standards Framework.
This course is Accredited by the Australasian College of Health Services Management (ACHSM).- 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 Health and Human Services Management students must attain 16 credit points. All units except Major Research Project units are equal to 1 credit point.
The course comprises 10 core units (these are compulsory) and 6 Specialisation units (you can choose which ones to study according to the prescribed units in each of the Specialisations in the course structure).
All commencing Faculty of Health course work students are required to complete DAI001 Academic Integrity Module (0 credit point compulsory unit) in their first trimester of study.
Students are required to meet the University's academic progress and conduct requirements.
Core units
All students must complete the following core units and one zero credit point unit
Electives
The MHHSM has six Specialisations: Public Health, Health Economics, Business Administration, Disability and Inclusion, Sustainability in Healthcare and Research. Students must choose one of the following Specialisations, in addition to the ten core units.
Public Health Specialisation
Plus two units from:
* Limited places in this unit are allocated based on an interview process and academic merit.
Health Economics Specialisation
Plus three units from:
Business Administration Specialisation
Plus one unit from:
Plus two units from:
Disability and Inclusion Specialisation
Plus two units from:
Sustainability in Healthcare Specialisation
Plus one unit from:
* Specialisation available for 2022 commencing students only. This specialisation is currently not accredited but is undergoing the accreditation process with the Australasian College of Health Service Management (ACHSM).
Research Specialisation*
* Students choosing this option must obtain approval from the course director and have a Weighted Average Mark (WAM) of 70 or more
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:
Trimester 2 - July
- Start date: July
- Available at:
Trimester 3 - November
- Start date: November
- Available at:
Additional course information
Course duration
Course duration may be affected by delays in completing course requirements, such as accessing or completing work placements.
Mandatory student checks
Any unit which contains work integrated learning, a community placement or interaction with the community may require a National Police Record Check, a Working with Children Check or other check. Refer the relevant unit guide.
Workload
In the Faculty of Health you can expect to participate in a range of teaching activities each week. This could include lectures, seminars, practicals and online interaction. You can refer to the individual unit details in the course structure for more information. You will also need to study and complete assessment tasks in your own time.
Work experience
Students who select the Business Administration Specialisation are required to complete a one credit point work integrated learning unit (coded HSH755 or MWL***)
Entry requirements
Admission criteria
Selection is based on a holistic consideration of your academic merit, work experience, likelihood of success, availability of places, participation requirements, regulatory requirements, and individual circumstances. You will need to meet the minimum course entry requirements to be considered for selection, but this does not guarantee admission.
Academic requirements
To be considered for admission to this degree you will need to meet all the following criteria:
-
completion of a bachelor degree or higher in any discipline
English language proficiency requirements
To meet the English language proficiency requirements of this course, you will need to demonstrate at least one of the following:
- bachelor degree
- IELTS overall score of 6.5 (with no band score less than 6.0) in each component of test
- other evidence of English language proficiency (learn more about other ways to satisfy the requirements)
Admissions information
Learn more about Deakin courses and how we compare to other universities when it comes to the quality of our teaching and learning.
Not sure if you can get into Deakin postgraduate study? Postgraduate study doesn’t have to be a balancing act; we provide flexible course entry and exit options based on your desired career outcomes and the time you’re able to commit to your study.
Recognition of prior learning
The University aims to provide students with as much credit as possible for approved prior study or informal learning which exceeds the normal entrance requirements for the course and is within the constraints of the course regulations. Students are required to complete a minimum of one-third of the course at Deakin University, or four credit points, whichever is the greater. In the case of certificates, including graduate certificates, a minimum of two credit points within the course must be completed at Deakin.
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
Tap image to expand
A 'same discipline' award for this course can be in management, health economics or public health, a 'related discipline' award for this course is health sciences, business administration or other related field.
Careers
Career outcomes
The healthcare sector is projected to be Australia’s biggest and fastest-growing sector over the next five years*. With a Master of Health and Human Services Management, you will have an incredibly important role to play in managing the new projects, services and jobs that emerge from this growth.
Your specialised skills combined with your practical experience will prepare you for management and leadership roles across a variety of areas including:
- public health departments
- hospital management
- nursing home management
- clinic management
- medical practices
- mental health organisations
- community health centres
- rehabilitation centres
- skilled nursing facilities
- healthcare associations
- welfare and human service delivery organisations
- policy roles within government
- major healthcare infrastructure projects
Recent graduates have gone on to work in international agencies with a presence in public health, divisions of general practice, health administration departments, hospitals and associated networks.
* Australian Government National Skills Commission Industry Employment Outlook 2021
Professional recognition
Deakin's Master of Health and Human Services Management is now accredited by the Australasian College of Health Service Management (ACHSM). As a graduate, you may apply for membership with the ACHSM.
Please note that the Sustainability in Healthcare Specialisation is currently not an accredited specialisation but it is undergoing the accreditation process with ACHSM.
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 | Apply a critical and advanced knowledge in the area of Health and Human Services Management including research and current professional practices in the areas of:
|
| Communication | Communicate effectively with a range of individuals and groups, using a variety of modes and methods in a Health and Human Service context. |
| Digital literacy | Select and use digital technologies to locate, evaluate and disseminate research to address complex health and human service management issues. |
| Critical thinking | Critically evaluate and synthesise complex information, problems, ideas, concepts and theories within a health and human services context. |
| Problem solving | Apply creative strategies to address complex and ill-defined health and human services management problems. |
| Self-management | Demonstrate critically reflective self-management with relevant workloads, commitments and timeframes while displaying a commitment to ethical health and human services management practice and lifelong learning. |
| Teamwork | Interact collaboratively and constructively with a diverse range of people across multiple teams and contexts to achieve targeted health and human services management outcomes. |
| Global citizenship | Demonstrate a critical awareness and sensitivity to cultural, ethnic, religious, social and political issues in health and human service management contexts. |