Master of Health Management
Course summary for local students
| Year | 2024 course information |
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| Award granted | Master of Health Management |
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| Campus | Offered at Burwood (Melbourne) |
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| Online | Yes |
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| Length | 1 – 2 years full-time or part-time equivalent, depending on Recognition of prior learning |
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| Full fee paying annual fee - commencing 2024 | $28,600 for 1 yr full-time - Full-fee paying place |
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| Faculty contacts | Our friendly advisers are available to speak to you one-on-one about your study options, support services and how we can help you further your career. |
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| Level | Higher Degree Coursework (Masters and Doctorates) |
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| CRICOS course code | 114205F Burwood (Melbourne) |
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| Deakin course code | H756 |
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| Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) recognition | The award conferred upon completion is recognised in the Australian Qualifications Framework at Level 9 |
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Course structure applies for students who commenced in 2024 onwards. Students who commenced prior to 2024 should refer to previous online Handbooks or consult a Student Adviser at Student Central. |
Course sub-headings
Course overview
More than 9,500 new jobs are expected to be created for Health and Welfare Services Managers by 2026.* Help meet this demand and open the door to senior roles in health with Deakin’s Master of Health Management. You will build valuable skills in leadership, resourcing and program management, enabling you to improve healthcare delivery and contribute to healthier communities.
Are you ready to take the next step in your career in the fast-growing health and human services sector?
Whether you see yourself managing a clinic or hospital, leading programs promoting mental wellbeing, or shaping policy at a government level, the Master of Health Management will prepare you to take the next step in your career in health. Alternatively, if you are working in a non-healthcare related sector this course will enable you to make a smooth career shift into health management.
If you are currently working in a management role in the health and human services sector and would like to progress into a senior leadership or executive role, you may be interested in our MBA (Healthcare Management).
As a graduate of the Master of Health Management, you will be empowered to become a leading voice in the health sector – which is Australia’s fastest growing* and one of the most well-funded.^ You will not only learn how to apply business and management skills to a health context, but also how to take a patient and community focussed approach to healthcare. Gain a practical understanding of the dynamic realities of health management and develop core skills in:
- leadership and strategic planning
- health needs assessment and evaluation
- healthcare planning and monitoring
- resource and project management
- communication and negotiation.
Tailor the course to your individual career goals by selecting an elective from one of six specialisations, including public health, health economics, business administration, disability and inclusion, sustainability in healthcare and research. You will also be able to gain real-world experience while you study, with options to undertake a work-integrated learning elective or to join an overseas study tour.
Our work-integrated learning elective will enable you to gain 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. You’ll consolidate your theoretical knowledge in a work setting and will build your professional network by working alongside influential figures in the health sector.
On top of that, you can gain a global perspective of leading management practices by joining an overseas study tour. Gain a greater understanding of cross-cultural health approaches, by connecting with and learning from policy makers, health and human services workers, educators and health agencies in the host country.
*Jobs and Skills Australia, Employment Outlook to 2026
^Australian Government, Budget Strategy and Outlook: Budget Paper No. 1: 2020–21, Statement 6: Expenses and Net Capital Investment, p. 6-49 and Australian Government, Final Budget Outcome 2019-20, p. 12.
Professional recognition
Deakin's Master of Health Management is now accredited by the Australasian College of Health Service Management (ACHSM). As a graduate, you may apply for membership with the ACHSM. ACHSM is the peak body for health managers in the Asia Pacific, their accreditation not only ensures quality and industry relevance, but also enhances graduate employability and networking opportunities. The accreditations and professional recognition indicate the industry’s appreciation of the quality and relevance of the program to industry needs.
Fees and charges
The available fee places for this course are detailed above. Not all courses at Deakin have Commonwealth supported places available. 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 fees and available payment options.
Career opportunities
The healthcare sector is projected to be Australia’s biggest and fastest-growing sector over the next five years.* With a Master of Health 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.
* 2021 Employment Projections – for the five years to 2026, Jobs and Skills Australia
Course Learning Outcomes
| 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: - leadership and strategic planning
- evidence-based decision making
- health needs assessment and evaluation
- program planning and monitoring
- resource and project management
- communication and negotiation.
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| 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. |
Course rules
To complete the Master of Health 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.
Course structure
Core units
All students must complete the following core units and one zero credit point unit
| DAI001 | Academic Integrity Module (0 credit points) |
| HME704 | Fundamentals of Digital Health |
| HSH701 | Principles and Practice of Public Health |
| HSH762 | Resource Allocation and Priority Setting |
| MPA702 | Financial Interpretation |
| MMM710 | Emerging Issues in International Operations |
| MPM722 | Human Resource Management |
Electives
The Master of Health Management 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
| HSH702 | Contemporary Health Issues and Policies |
| HSH769 | Comparative Health Systems |
Plus two units from:
| HSH728 | Health Equity and Human Rights |
| HSH731 | Minor Project A -must be taken as a pair with HSH732 |
| HSH732 | Minor Project B - must be taken as a pair with HSH731 |
| HSH755 | Postgraduate Health Practicum |
| HSH760 | International Perspectives in Health and Social Development * |
* Limited places in this unit are allocated based on an interview process and academic merit.
Health Economics Specialisation
| HSH766 | Economics and Health Policy Analysis |
Plus three units from:
| HSH755 | Postgraduate Health Practicum |
| HSH764 | Economic Evaluation - Theory and Practice |
| HSH768 | Health Economics in a Global Context |
| HSH769 | Comparative Health Systems |
| HSH761 | Health Technology Assessment 1 |
Business Administration Specialisation
| MPM703 | Business Strategy and Analysis |
Plus one unit from:
| HSH755 | Postgraduate Health Practicum |
| MWL705 | Business for Social Impact |
| MWL717 | Entrepreneurship Experience |
Plus two units from:
| HSH766 | Economics and Health Policy Analysis |
| MPM780 | Foundations in Leadership |
Disability and Inclusion Specialisation
| HDS730 | Disability and Inclusion: Contemporary Theory and Lived Experience |
| HDS731 | Planning for Inclusion Across the Life Course |
| HDS732 | Determinants of Health and Wellbeing in the Lives of People with Disability |
| HDS733 | Community Capacity Building - Theory and Practice for Inclusion |
Plus two units from:
| HDS727 | Auslan and the Deaf Community: Health and Wellbeing |
| HDS734 | Inclusive Design and Technology |
| HSH728 | Health Equity and Human Rights |
| HSH736 | Community Consultation and Participation |
| HSH766 | Economics and Health Policy Analysis |
| HSH755 | Postgraduate Health Practicum |
Sustainability in Healthcare Specialisation
| HSH764 | Economic Evaluation - Theory and Practice |
| SLE720 | Risk Assessment and Control |
| SLE725 | Environmental Management Systems |
| SLE740 | Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation |
Plus one unit from:
| HSH755 | Postgraduate Health Practicum |
| SLE742 | Systems and Strategic Thinking |
Research Specialisation*
Students choosing this option must obtain approval from the course director and have a Weighted Average Mark (WAM) of 70 or more
Note International on-campus students who commence in Trimester 2 or Trimester 3 intakes pursuing the Major Project stream are required to enrol into Trimester 3 of their second year in order to complete the course within their CoE course duration. Please refer to course maps.
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 academic and English language proficiency 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 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:
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 are able to commit to your study.
Alternate exits
Course duration
Course duration may be affected by delays in completing course requirements, such as accessing or completing work placements.
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 (eg. either HSH755 Postgraduate Health Practicum unit or one unit coded MWL *** within the Business Administration Specialisation)
Students can also undertake HSH755 Postgraduate Health Practicum unit within the Public Health Specialisation.
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.
