Master of Business Administration (Healthcare Management)
2025 Deakin University Handbook
| Year | 2026 course information |
|---|---|
| Award granted | Master of Business Administration (Healthcare Management) |
| Course Credit Points | |
| Deakin course code | M743 |
| Course version | 1 |
| Faculty | Faculty of Business and Law |
| Course Information | For students who commenced in 2024 |
| Final Intake | Offered to continuing students only. The final intake to this course was in teaching period 1 2024. Students should contact Student Central for course, course map and enrolment information. |
| Duration | 1.5 years full-time or part-time equivalent |
| Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) recognition | The award conferred upon completion is recognised in the Australian Qualifications Framework at Level 9 |
Course sub-headings
- Course overview
- Indicative student workload
- Professional recognition
- Participation requirements
- Mandatory student checks
- Course Learning Outcomes
- Course rules
- Course structure
- Work experience
- Other learning experiences
- Research and research-related study
- Fees and charges
Course overview
Healthcare managers and senior clinicians are increasingly expected to navigate a rapidly changing health landscape while also providing leadership across key business areas of strategic planning, marketing, finance and people management. Deakin's MBA (Healthcare Management) situates business decision-making in the health context to give healthcare leaders the tools to manage care delivery and the business and policy pressures that impact it.
Do you want the skills to influence business decisions in a healthcare environment?
Jointly run and managed by Deakin's business and medical schools, Deakin's MBA (Healthcare Management) gives you the best of both worlds. Prepare to manage and lead healthcare services in Australia and overseas by undertaking the core of our MBA program plus a tailored set of health units.
Tailor your MBA studies to issues and challenges associated with the healthcare sector. Learn the very latest in business and management thinking then apply your newfound knowledge to healthcare settings.
To excel in healthcare leadership and management today, you need more than pure business knowledge. A comprehensive understanding of the policy context you work in is vital, along with the skills to formulate and implement strategies leading to efficient and effective care delivery.
Develop the specialised knowledge and skills to manage organisations and clinics amidst the growing challenges of our nation's health and provision of healthcare. As a graduate you'll not only have a deep understanding of health policy and funding context, but also the business end of healthcare delivery, such as financing, marketing and leadership.
The MBA (Healthcare Management) is designed for candidates with management experience. If you are not currently working in a management role in the healthcare sector and would like to progress into a leadership role, please refer to our Master of Health and Human Services Management.
Indicative student workload
In addition to attendance at structured learning activities (including classes, seminars, residentials and on-line) students are required to undertake individual and group activities and self-driven learning. While structured activities vary between units and modes of delivery, students would normally be expected to allocate approximately 150 hours total to each unit. Some core units may require attendance at residential presentations up to 5 days duration.
Professional recognition
The course has received Australasian College of Health Service Management (ACHSM) accreditation. ACHSM is the peak body for healthcare executives 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.
The MBA (Healthcare Management) and the School of Medicine is also associated with the Society for Health Administration Programs in Education (SHAPE), which enables ongoing quality improvement for the course content and alignment with current healthcare management trends and theories.
Also, the course is the only MBA recognised by the Royal Australasian College of Medical Administrators (RACMA) for their Fellowship training.
Deakin Business School holds both AACSB and EQUIS accreditations. These prestigious accreditations are awarded to business schools that meet strict standards of quality, academic and professional excellence, and demonstrate a commitment to ongoing improvement and innovation in their courses, ensuring our graduates are employable worldwide.
Participation requirements
Units in this course may have participation requirements that include compulsory placements, work-based training, community-based learning or collaborative research training arrangements.
Placement can occur at any time, including during standard holiday breaks. Learn about key dates at Deakin.Reasonable adjustments to participation and other course requirements will be made for students with a disability. More information available at Disability support services.
Mandatory student checks
Units which contain work integrated learning, a community placement or interaction with the community may require a police check, working with children check or other check. These requirements will be detailed in unit guides upon enrolment.
Course Learning Outcomes
| Graduate Learning Outcomes | Course Learning Outcomes |
| Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities | Demonstrate an understanding of fundamental business principles and concepts to develop insights into processes that drive healthcare systems and contribute to the development of new knowledge through use of appropriate research principles and methods |
| Communication | Demonstrate high level written, oral, and interpersonal communication skills to communicate healthcare management information and strategy |
| Digital literacy | Select and use digital technologies to locate, curate and disseminate information relevant to the operation of healthcare services and support the research and analysis of complex healthcare systems issues |
| Critical thinking | Apply critical thinking and analysis skills to evaluate complex data, relationships and projects that underpin the functioning of healthcare services |
| Problem solving | Apply problem solving skills and creativity to arrive at evidence-based decisions and imagine strategies and the changes required to implement recommended courses of action |
| Self-management | Developed an enhanced insight into leadership style and reflect on own ability to take personal accountability and act as a confident leader in the healthcare industry |
| Teamwork | Demonstrate the ability to develop networks and business relationships and leverage these to achieve collaborative and mutually beneficial outcomes |
| Global citizenship | Engage in professional and ethical practice that demonstrates awareness of and adaptability to, diverse social, cultural, and environmental contexts in healthcare management |
Course rules
To complete the Master of Business Administration (Healthcare Management) you must pass 12 credit points. This includes:
- DAI001 Academic Integrity Module (0-credit-point compulsory unit) in your first study period
- 5 credit points of core units from the Faculty of Business and Law
- 5 credit points of core units from the Faculty of Health
- 2 credit points of course elective units
Most units are equal to one credit point. As a full-time student you will study four credit points per trimester and usually undertake two trimesters per year.
Students are required to meet the University's academic progress and conduct requirements.
Course structure
Compulsory 0-credit point module
To be completed in the first trimester of study:-
| DAI001 | Academic Integrity and Respect at Deakin |
Core units
Faculty of Business and Law Core
| MBA700 | Leadership and Professional Development |
| MBR701/MBA701 | Strategy and Innovation Management: Managing Value and Risk ^ |
| MBT704/MBA704 | Marketing, Consumers, and the Marketplace * |
| MBR706/MBA706 | Leading People in Organisations ^ |
| MBA707 | MBA Capstone (Capstone) |
^MBR code denotes residential version of unit.
*MBT code denotes study tour version of the unit
Faculty of Health Core
| HME704 | Fundamentals of Digital Health |
| HSH763 | Financing Health Care [replaces HME705] |
| HME711 | Health Law and Ethics |
| HME712 | Healthcare Operations # |
| HNN749 | Patient Safety and Risk Management [replaces HME713] |
# As an alternative to HME712, students can complete the following two stackable short courses in a flexible study mode:
HMC701-OD Patient Flow Management
HMC702-OD Patient journey and System Design
HME705 Healthcare Financing [no longer available for enrolment, replacement unit HSH763]
HME713 Clinical Governance [no longer available for enrolment, replacement unit HNN749]
Course electives
The remaining 2 credit points may be selected from the following course electives:
| MBT703/MBA703 | Creating Value for Sustainable Business Practice * |
| HSH769 | Comparative Health Systems |
| HSH725 | Research Literacy |
| HSH744 | Epidemiology 1 |
| HSH762 | Resource Allocation and Priority Setting |
or
1.0 credit point of any Deakin stackable short courses (0.5cp microcredentials) (max 2) taken in combination with 1.0 credit point of course elective (as listed above)
or
2.0 credit point total of any Deakin stackable short courses (0.5cp microcredentials) (max 4)
*MBT code denotes study tour version of the unit
Stackable short courses
Mix and match Deakin stackable short courses (0.5 cp microcredentials) to earn up to 1-2 credit point(s) of open electives, subject to eligibility. Any stacking must add up to a whole number to be used for credit. See more information on Deakin stackable short course options.
Work experience
This course does not require students to complete compulsory work integrated learning units.
Course duration
Course duration may be affected by delays in completing course requirements, such as accessing or completing work placements.
Other learning experiences
This course includes the option of other learning experiences including residential and study tour units.
Research and research-related study
The MBA-Healthcare Management course being a professional course as opposed to a research-oriented course is unlike many master's level course, which requires extended periods of research study. However, the course recognises the importance of imparting research skills to its students. This education is delivered through the course elective unit HSH725 Research Literacy (1 credit point).
Fees and charges
Tuition fees will vary depending on the type of fee place you hold, your course, your commencement year, the units you choose to study, your study load and/or unit discipline.
Your tuition fees will increase annually at the start of each calendar year. All fees quoted are in Australian dollars ($AUD) and do not include additional costs such as textbooks, computer equipment or software, other equipment, mandatory checks, travel, consumables and other costs.
For further information regarding tuition fees, other fees and charges, invoice due dates, withdrawal dates, payment methods visit our Current students website.
Further information
Contact Student Central for assistance in course planning, choosing the right units and explaining course rules and requirements. Student Central can also provide information for a wide range of services at Deakin. To help you understand the University vocabulary, please refer to our Enrolment codes and terminology page.