Program Overview

Master of Health Management and Leadership

The Master of Health Management and Leadership is designed to equip students with the knowledge, competencies, and professional attitudes to undertake managerial roles and provide leadership within the health sector.

Course Overview

The effective management of health services is of vital importance to both the health sector and the broader community. Health service managers are responsible for the business of healthcare, developing strategies to maximize the efficient, effective, and equitable delivery of health services in a diverse range of health settings.

Why this Course

The skills gained in this course will prepare students to advance their careers and make a difference as leaders in health services, applying their knowledge and understanding to various aspects within the health industry, ranging from analysis to management and policy change.

Accreditation

This course is accredited by the Australasian College of Health Service Managers (ACHSM).

Specialization

There is a possibility of specialization in Emergency and Disaster Management.

Authentic Assessments

The course features authentic assessments that mirror real-world scenarios.

Course Units

Students need to complete eight core units and select four specialist units for a total of 144 credit points (each unit is 12 credit points).

Core Units

• Contemporary Health Management (12 credit points)
• Health System Challenges and Opportunities (12 credit points)
• Population Health (12 credit points)
• Leadership in Health Care (12 credit points)
• Health Economics: Applications and Policy (12 credit points)
• Healthcare Law and Ethics (12 credit points)
• Research Methods in Health (12 credit points)
• Health Management Project (12 credit points)

Cross-Specialization Units

The master's allows students to tailor their studies to their specific interests and career goals by selecting four specialist units from the list below.

• Disaster Risk Management in Health and Community Services (12 credit points)
• Disaster Planning and Preparedness (12 credit points)
• Disaster Response and Recovery (12 credit points)
• Leadership in Disaster Management (12 credit points)
• Quality Management in Health (12 credit points)
• Policy, Governance and Justice (12 credit points)
• Healthy Ageing (12 credit points)

Entry Requirements

Students can gain entry into the Master of Health Management and Leadership with:

• A completed recognized bachelor's degree (or higher) in health, business, or law;
• A completed recognized bachelor's degree in any other discipline with at least three years (full-time or equivalent) experience working in health management at a middle to senior level;
• Completion of QUT's Graduate Certificate in Emergency and Disaster Management or Graduate Certificate in Health Management and Leadership.

Course Outcomes

Graduates of this course are equipped to provide creative and evidence-based solutions to complex problems in health services. They will have a keen understanding of client needs, leading to the best outcomes, and confidence in leading people and projects, drawing on their organizational and management skills.

Skills and Tools

Students will learn:

• Leadership development
• Evidence-based management practice
• Change and project management
• Strategic decision-making
• Research methods
• Critical thinking
• Analysis and ethical problem-solving
• Collaboration and communication

Potential Career Opportunities

• Human Resources Manager: Lead a team to foster a productive and safe work environment for employees. Average salary: $130,000. Industry job satisfaction: 4/5. Projected job growth: +16.3%.
• Research Director: Involvement in academia to contribute to the education of the future workforce, including research to advance and develop innovative solutions. Average salary: $155,000. Industry job satisfaction: 4/5. Projected job growth: +23.8%.
• Policy Manager: Contribute to the development and evaluation of health policies that improve access, quality, and efficiency. Average salary: $140,000. Industry job satisfaction: 3/5. Projected job growth: +5.7%.
• Executive Director: Oversee the strategic direction and overall operations of an organization, ensuring that it meets its mission. Average salary: $230,000. Industry job satisfaction: 5/5.
• Strategy Director: Develop and implement long-term plans and initiatives to enhance organizational performance, drive innovation, and achieve business goals in the healthcare sector. Average salary: $170,000. Industry job satisfaction: 3.5/5.

Duration and Fees

• Duration: 1.5 years or part-time equivalent
• Estimated Total Fees: AUD $42,000

Frequently Asked Questions

• Do any professional bodies accredit this course? This course is accredited by the Australasian College of Health Service Managers (ACHSM).
• Is my context in healthcare advantageous in this course? Any experience in the health field could help, but it is not essential to be successful.
• Will this course allow me to pursue a PhD? No, this is a master's by coursework, not a master's by research. However, this course can feed into a doctorate, which will then feed into a PhD.
• How does this course differ from a Master of Public Health? The focus of Public Health is health prevention and promotion, with a strong statistics and epidemiology focus, whereas the Master of Health Management and Leadership is for people aspiring to move into managerial and executive leadership roles in health service delivery.