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Key details
Duration
Locations
Entry requirements
View full entry requirementsCredit points required
120Course code
Overview
Drive innovation and transformation in healthcare.
Our Adaptive Master of Business Administration (Health Leadership) is perfect for current and emerging health leaders seeking to lead sustainable change, foster innovation and build high-performing teams across healthcare organisations and systems.
You-ll develop a contemporary understanding of strategic management, business analytics, finance and investment, economics, marketing, organisational change and research. In addition, you will learn to interpret complex information, design effective and socially responsible strategies, implement sustainability initiatives, and understand environmental, social and governance (ESG) disclosure and reporting.
Through the Health Leadership focus, you-ll explore organisational culture, team performance in safety and quality healthcare, advances in digital technologies, and management of planetary health challenges.
Career opportunities
This course is suited to current and aspiring leaders, managers and senior professionals across hospitals, health services, government, community health and related organisations. Career pathways may include hospital administration, health service management, healthcare operations, policy and planning, and digital health innovation.
Credit transfers and advanced standing
Pathways
Pathways for Higher Education to Higher Education
For information about credit transfer available to students with complete or incomplete study at this or other Institutions refer to Pathways for Higher Education to Higher Education
Credit transfer
For further information on credit transfer and how to apply visit ASK CDU
Credit transfers and advanced standing
Credit transfer
For further information on credit transfer and how to apply visit ASK CDU
Fees
Non-Commonwealth supported places
Full fee paying places are available in this course.
Information about fees and charges can be found at Fees and Payments.

Why study business at CDU?
Learn from internationally-recognised academics when you study business at CDU. Future-proof your career with accredited courses built on sustainable business practices and innovation. You'll graduate ready to make an impact on the global market.
- #2 Australian university for postgraduate employment outcomes (GUG 2024)
- Choose to study online, on campus, part-time or full-time as it suits you
- Industry experts with experience in Australia, the Asia Pacific and beyond

Why study business at CDU?
Learn from internationally-recognised academics when you study Business at CDU. Future-proof your career with accredited courses built on sustainable business practices and innovation. You'll graduate ready to make an impact on the global market.
- #2 Australian university for postgraduate employment outcomes (GUG 2024)
- Industry experts with experience in Australia, the Asia Pacific and beyond

Why study business at CDU?
Learn from internationally-recognised academics when you study business at CDU. Future-proof your career with accredited courses built on sustainable business practices and innovation. You'll graduate ready to make an impact on the global market.
- #2 Australian university for postgraduate employment outcomes (GUG 2024)
- Choose to study online, on campus, part-time or full-time as it suits you
- Industry experts with experience in Australia, the Asia Pacific and beyond

Why study business at CDU?
Learn from internationally-recognised academics when you study Business at CDU. Future-proof your career with accredited courses built on sustainable business practices and innovation. You'll graduate ready to make an impact on the global market.
- #2 Australian university for postgraduate employment outcomes (GUG 2024)
- Industry experts with experience in Australia, the Asia Pacific and beyond
What will I study?
Adaptive is a new way to study that fits around your lifestyle. Flexible, 100% online and designed for career growth, Adaptive degrees give you the freedom to study in line with your schedule, wherever you are. Apply anytime, learn from anywhere and focus on a single unit at a time in 6-week intensive study periods.
Course structure
The Master of Business Administration (Health Leadership) comprises 120 credit points of core and specialist units. You will develop advanced knowledge in strategic management, organisational change, finance, economics, business analytics, marketing, and business research, complemented by specialist study in health leadership, safety and quality, digital health and health informatics, and planetary health.
As part of the course, you-ll apply your learning in a capstone professional project tailored to a healthcare setting, addressing a real-world organisational challenge and strengthening your practical leadership experience.
A candidate must successfully complete units totalling 120 credit points as detailed below. All units are valued at 10 credit points unless otherwise indicated. Students are required to:
- Complete the eight compulsory core units
- Complete the four specialist elective units
| Unit type | Credit Points | Specific requirements |
| Core units (8 units) | 80cp | Compulsory core units totalling 80 credit points as per list of units detailed below: BUS508 Business Analytics |
| Specialist Electives (4 units) | 40cp | Specialist Elective units totalling 40 credit points selected from the list of available units detailed below: HEA508 Leading Safety and Quality Across a Diverse Workforce |
| 120cp | Total Credit Points |
Course Rules (unless otherwise indicated in the above course structure) (120cp)
- See the Higher Education Course Rules (Award Requirements) in the Units and Courses Policy.
Study plan
Students commencing in Intensive 5
The Recommended Study Plan provided below is suitable for a student commencing in Intensive 5 and enrolling in a part time load. Students entering this course with advanced standing, or wishing to reduce or vary their study plan due to work, personal, financial or other reasons should use the table as a guide to create an individual study plan.
When designing an individual study plan:
- maintain the basic order in which units are to be attempted; and
- check the assumed knowledge, pre-requisite and co-requisite requirements for each unit
| Legend: | CO = Core Unit | SE = Specialist Elective |
Part-time Study Plan
| Intensive 1 | Intensive 2 | Intensive 3 | Intensive 4 | Intensive 5 | Intensive 6 | ||||||
| Year 1 | |||||||||||
| MKT504 Marketing for Managers | CO | HEA535 Leadership in Health Care | SE | ||||||||
| Year 2 | |||||||||||
| BUS508 Business Analytics | CO | FIN504 Finance and Investment for the Executive | CO | HEA536 Digital Health and Informatics | SE | MAN500 Strategic Management | CO | BUS521 Business Research Skills | CO | BUS622 Applied Business Project | CO |
| Year 3 | |||||||||||
| HEA538 Planetary Health and Health Care | SE | HRM504 Organisational Change and Development | CO | ECO500 Contemporary Issues in Economics | CO | HEA508 Leading Safety and Quality Across a Diverse Workforce | SE | ||||
Students commencing in Intensive 6
The Recommended Study Plan provided below is suitable for a student commencing in Intensive 5 and enrolling in a part time load. Students entering this course with advanced standing, or wishing to reduce or vary their study plan due to work, personal, financial or other reasons should use the table as a guide to create an individual study plan.
When designing an individual study plan:
- maintain the basic order in which units are to be attempted; and
- check the assumed knowledge, pre-requisite and co-requisite requirements for each unit
| Legend: | CO = Core Unit | SE = Specialist Elective |
Part-time Study Plan
| Intensive 1 | Intensive 2 | Intensive 3 | Intensive 4 | Intensive 5 | Intensive 6 | ||||||
| Year 1 | |||||||||||
| HEA535 Leadership in Health Care | SE | ||||||||||
| Year 2 | |||||||||||
| BUS508 Business Analytics | CO | FIN504 Finance and Investment for the Executive | CO | HEA536 Digital Health and Informatics | SE | MAN500 Strategic Management | CO | BUS521 Business Research Skills | CO | BUS622 Applied Business Project | CO |
| Year 3 | |||||||||||
| HEA538 Planetary Health and Health Care | SE | HRM504 Organisational Change and Development | CO | ECO500 Contemporary Issues in Economics | CO | HEA508 Leading Safety and Quality Across a Diverse Workforce | SE | MKT504 Marketing for Managers | CO | ||
Entry requirements
Admission criteria
Successful completion of a recognised bachelor degree, graduate certificate, graduate diploma, masters degree or equivalent international qualification in any field.
For applicants without a bachelor degree, consideration may also be given to those with at least five (5) years of full-time, relevant work experience, including a minimum of three (3) years in management or leadership roles. Applicants must provide full details of their employment experience in their application.
Essential requirements
English language requirements
DOMESTIC STUDENTS
To be eligible for admission to this course, applicants must meet the standard English language proficiency requirements for Higher Education courses at Charles Darwin University (CDU) and provide evidence as part of their application.
You can meet the minimum English language requirement by providing evidence of one of following:
| Previous study in English |
|
| AHPRA Registration | Current registration with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA). |
| English Test^ | Completion of an approved English Test within two years of commencement, with the minimum scores shown below. |
| Primary language pathway | Completion of six years of primary and/or secondary schooling in a recognised English-speaking country*, including at least two years between years 7-12. |
Additional information about accepted tests and the evidence requirements is available on the English language proficiency requirements page.
^English tests - approved tests and minimum scores
| Undergraduate and postgraduate pathway program requirement | Postgraduate requirement (HDR and coursework) | |
| CDU ELICOS - English for Academic Purposes | Successful completion of EAP003 | Successful completion of EAP004 |
| International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic test | Overall minimum: 6.0 No band below: 6.0 | Overall minimum: 6.5 No band below 6.0 |
| Pearson Test of English (PTE) Academic | Overall minimum: 50 No score below: 50 | Overall minimum: 58 No score below: 50 |
| Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) | Overall minimum: 60 Minimum writing score: 21 | Overall minimum: 79 Minimum writing score: 21 |
| Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE) | Overall minimum: 169 No skill below: 169 | Overall minimum: 176 No skill below: 169 |
Information about test validity, accepted combined test results, IELTS One Skill Retake and evidence requirements is available on the English language proficiency requirements page.
*Recognised English-speaking countries:
| Standard List | Antigua and Barbuda, Australia, Barbados, British Virgin Islands, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, Singapore, South Africa, United Kingdom, United States of America. |
| Extended List | Bermuda, Botswana, Cayman Islands, Fiji, Kenya, Malawi, Malta, Mauritius, Seychelles, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Tanzania, Trinidad and Tobago, Vanuatu, Zimbabwe. |
All previous studies must have been delivered in English (medium of instruction was English). Applicants who have studied at an institution from a coutnry on the extended list must provide confirmation that their study was completed within the last five years.
For further details on the English requirements for CDU courses, please refer to the CDU English Language Proficiency Policy.
Most of my lecturers also had industry experience working for multinational companies, giving us insight into real-world scenarios.
Sachin
CDU student

I genuinely believe Darwin is the land of opportunities if you leverage your strengths, abilities and skills.
Ellie
CDU student

Most of my lecturers also had industry experience working for multinational companies, giving us insight into real-world scenarios.
Sachin
CDU student

I genuinely believe Darwin is the land of opportunities if you leverage your strengths, abilities and skills.
Ellie
CDU student

Course details
Accreditation
This course is accredited by the University in accordance with the Higher Education Standards.
Inherent Requirements
There are inherent requirements for this course. Students must read and understand the requirements for this course.
Australian qualification framework
This course is recognised in the Australian Qualifications Framework at Level 9.
Additional information
Contact details
For further information about the course, enrolment procedures, closing dates and other administrative issues please contact Student Central on:
You make CDU
Together we are a positive force for change in our communities and the world.
Learn about business at CDU
Sushan is from Nepal studying a Master of Business Administration (Professional Practice) at CDU. Hear more about his experience of studying, living, working and playing in Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia.
You make CDU
Together we are a positive force for change in our communities and the world.
Learn about business at CDU
Sushan is from Nepal studying a Master of Business Administration (Professional Practice) at CDU. Hear more about his experience of studying, living, working and playing in Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia.
How to apply
There are many ways to apply to CDU. The method you use depends on your course type, where you live and whether you are a new or returning student to CDU.
Remember to apply early for your best chance at securing an offer to study with us.
SATAC
SATAC is the application channel for residents of NT, ACT, SA, WA, QLD, VIC, NSW or TAS.



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