Program Overview

Graduate Diploma of Health Professional Education

Advance your career as a healthcare professional by gaining leadership skills through this qualification that will equip you to educate those entering health and clinical roles. You will learn strategies for clinical teaching, key criteria for assessment and evaluation, research methodologies and the requirements for curriculum design and renewal. This course is beneficial for those in any field of health, including medicine, nursing, dentistry and allied health.

Fast Facts

• Location: JCU campuses or study centres where you can study this course. 'Online' means the course can be studied off-campus using a combination of online resources, printed material or other technologies. Some online courses include on-campus workshops and travel for professional placements.
  • Online
• Commencing: The month(s) you can start the course. For courses offered at JCU Singapore and JCU Brisbane, see 'How to Apply'.
  • Online: February, July
• Fees: Indicative, annual cost of your course. Some courses are supported by the Australian Government with the government paying some of your fees. This is the Commonwealth Supported fee. The tuition fee is the fee payable if Commonwealth Support does not apply. You can defer your fees if eligible with HECS-HELP or FEE-HELP. The Student Services & Amenities Fee is a required payment from most students.
  • $29,560.00^
  • ^estimated annual tuition fee for a full-time study load
  • Plus Student Services and Amenities fee
  • Fee deferral and scholarships available if eligible
  • Currently displaying fees for 2025, which are subject to change in following years.
• Duration: The time it will take you to complete the course as a full-time student. Also specifies if the course is available part-time. This section will indicate if some online courses may have a longer duration due to their different delivery method.
  • 2 years part-time
• Entry Requirements: This is usually a score given to Year 12 students upon completion of their studies. Non-school leavers can have their qualifications and work experience assessed to obtain an equivalent score. The score displayed is the minimum adjusted ATAR/rank that was required for entry. Some subjects are required for entry into a course. Whereas assumed knowledge indicates a minimum level of knowledge
  • AHPRA registration as a health professional; or AQF level 7 bachelor degree in a relevant discipline plus 2 years relevant experience; or equivalent
• Course Code: The course code is JCU's unique identifier for this course.

Course Detail

What to expect

Become a leader in improving clinical teaching and education research in all health professions including medicine, nursing, dentistry, and allied health. Focus on teaching and learning in health contexts with specific strategies for clinical settings.

Develop knowledge and skills in teaching and learning in clinical contexts, educational technologies, assessment, curriculum design, and research based on evidence and relevant to your career in health. Take advantage of flexible, online delivery with consistent support from JCU’s outstanding teachers.

Help shape the future of health care. JCU Health Professional Education graduates have specialist education skills applicable to all clinical settings.

View the Handbook for a detailed overview of available subjects.

Career Opportunities

Graduates from JCU’s Graduate Diploma of Health Professional Education (HPE) are equipped with specialist educator skills that are applicable to a wide range of clinical and healthcare settings.

HPE is applicable to a range of healthcare settings. Graduates pursue careers in private and public hospitals, tertiary, rural and remote health services, and in community settings and clinics.

Graduates find work as educators in medicine, nursing, dentistry and all allied health professions. You could find employment as a clinical educator, supervisor or preceptor for health students.

On completion of the Graduate Diploma in Health Professional Education you may choose to go on to study the Master of Health Professional Education.

Graduates find work as educators in medicine, nursing, dentistry and allied health.

Real Stories

• Student: Merrilee Frankish, Graduate Diploma of Health Professional Education
  • I have learned about adult, interactive education and effective strategies for teaching on the ward when time is short. The lectures and assessment are authentic, promoting good work-based learning. The support from JCU staff is excellent.
• Alumni: Dr Angie Nilsson, Master of Health Professional Education
  • Health Professional Education helps you not just to move into education, but makes you a better clinician. I can educate my patients better and talk to students and colleagues more effectively. The course has given me a passion for research I never thought I’d find.
• Lecturer: Lisa Simmons, Senior Lecturer – Health Professional Education
  • The Health Professional Education programs at JCU focus specifically on teaching and learning in health contexts, offering strategies tailored for clinical settings that will support you to embrace your role as intentional educators.