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.
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’ll 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.
Indicative student workload
In the Faculty of Health you can expect to participate in a range of teaching activities each week. This could include classes, 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.
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.
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 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
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.
Alternative exits
There are two alternative exit points available from H756 Master of Health and Human Services Management:
Fees and charges vary depending on your course, the type of fee place you hold, your commencement year, the units you choose and your study load. To find out about the fees and charges that apply to you, visit the Current students fees website or our handy Fee estimator to help estimate your tuition fees.
Tuition fees increase at the beginning of each calendar year and all fees quoted are in Australian dollars ($AUD). Tuition fees do not include textbooks, computer equipment or software, other equipment or costs such as photocopying or travel.
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.
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 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 Undergraduate and Postgraduate course work students are required to complete HAI010 Academic Integrity in their first trimester of study (0 credit point compulsory unit).
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.
* 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).
* Students choosing this option must obtain approval from the course director and have a Weighted Average Mark (WAM) of 70 or more
Work experience
Students who select the Business Management Specialisation are required to complete a one credit point work integrated learning unit (coded HSH755 or MWL***)
Other course information
Course duration - additional information
Course duration may be affected by delays in completing course requirements, such as accessing or completing work placements.
Further information
Student Central can help you with course planning, choosing the right units and explaining course rules and requirements.
International Perspectives in Health and Social Development *
* Limited places in this unit are allocated based on an interview process and academic merit.
Research and research-related study
The number of units dedicated to research-related study and independent research varies by elective group from a minimum of 2 units to a maximum of 8 units.
