Master of Leadership
2025 Deakin University Handbook
| Year | 2025 course information |
|---|---|
| Award granted | Master of Leadership |
| Deakin course code | M797 |
| Course version | 2 |
| Faculty | Faculty of Business and Law |
| Campus | For students who commenced prior to 2024 only |
| Duration | 1 to 2.5 years part-time Students have the opportunity of fast-tracking the course in one year by completing all units in three consecutive trimesters and all credentials within the first two trimesters of study. |
| Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) recognition | The award conferred upon completion is recognised in the Australian Qualifications Framework at Level 9 |
Offered to continuing students only The final intake for this course version was 2023. Student should contact a Student Adviser in Student Central for course, course map and enrolment information. | |
Course sub-headings
- Course overview
- Indicative student workload
- Participation requirements
- Mandatory student checks
- Course learning outcomes
- Course rules
- Course structure
- Work experience
- Fees and charges
Course overview
The Master of Leadership provides advanced leadership training for students who have progressed from the Graduate Certificate of Leadership, or those who meet the additional entry requirements. In addition to completing core units, you will complete 10 professional practice credentials plus a research capstone unit, where you can undertake a workplace-based research project on leadership.
Recognise the capabilities displayed by pivotal leaders, through integration of theoretical investigation and professional practice, within this specialist program. Learn to drive results while engaging others in the journey, and discover what it takes to transform an organisation to deal with technology disruption, changing customer needs and challenging external environments. The emphasis for this program is on developing relevant skills, contemporary knowledge, and real experience, to ensure you graduate as a business leader of tomorrow.
Delivered on our premium online learning platform, this flexible program is designed for busy professionals who want to study and immediately apply the knowledge and skills obtained through the course, in their own workplace. The Professional Practice Credential Assessment complements this course, and allows you to provide evidence of your knowledge, skills, abilities, and experience for assessment, to obtain a suite of credentials that recognise your professional expertise.
Indicative student workload
Successful students typically spend about 150 hours in learning and assessment for each one credit point unit. The time required to prepare evidence for credential assessment varies based on the student’s existing documentation.
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.
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
| Deakin Graduate Learning Outcomes | Course Learning Outcomes |
|---|---|
| Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities | Demonstrate an advanced and integrated understanding of contemporary leadership theory and practices, creating new discipline knowledge through applied research methods. |
| Communication | Demonstrate advanced communication skills through the use of tools, techniques and media to gather data, and engage and inspire others. |
| Digital literacy | Discover, analyse, synthesise and disseminate complex information, data and ideas to stakeholders, strategic partners and professional colleagues using a range of digital technologies and channels. |
| Critical thinking | Systematically and critically analyse and test leadership styles, models and theories to optimise leadership impact within a specific cultural and operational context to drive strategy. |
| Problem solving | Apply advanced problem solving skills to conceptualise, design, construct and advocate for recommended innovative solutions for complex leadership related issues. |
| Self-management | Advance personal development and capacity as a leader to proactively drive and take responsibility for strategic results. |
| Teamwork | Work across a range of professions, functions, contexts or teams to optimise collaborative outcomes, to improve strategic outcomes. |
| Global citizenship | Define and reinforce the vision and values that orient collective effort, socially responsibility and ethical decision making. |
Approved by Faculty Board
Course rules
To complete the Master of Leadership students must pass 4 credit points of units and 10 Professional Practice credentials and meet the following course rules to be eligible to graduate:
-
DAI001 Academic Integrity Module (0-credit-point compulsory unit) in their first study period
-
2 credit points of core units
- 2 credit points of capstone unit
-
10 Professional Practice credentials
Students are required to meet the University's academic progress and conduct requirements. See the enrolment codes and terminology to help make sense of the University's vocabulary.
Course structure
Compulsory 0-credit point module
To be completed in the first trimester of study:-
| DAI001 | Academic Integrity and Respect at Deakin [replaces MAI010] |
Core
| MPL700 | Leadership Practice with Impact |
| MPL701 | Leadership Research Methods |
Credentials
Students must successfully complete ten Professional Practice credentials which include four Leadership Specialist Knowledge credentials and six employability credentials.
Successful attainment of Professional Practice credentials is based on evidence provided from professional practice, hence recognition through authentic learning experiences. All professional practice credentials are linked to the Deakin Graduate Learning Outcomes and will be assessed within the context of the leadership discipline. The credentials may be attempted separately or simultaneously and are assessed by an assessment panel that includes both academic and industry representatives. Please refer to the table below for the list of credentials.
Learn more about the details of each credential (PDF, 1.5 MB)
| Master Credential Requirements | ||
| Credentials | Minimum Level*^ | Currency* |
| Core credentials | ||
| CRCOM-A1 Communication | 5 (Masters-Aligned) | 5 years |
| CRCOL-A1 Collaboration (Formerly CRTWK-A1 Teamwork) | 5 (Masters-Aligned) | 5 years |
| CRLDP-A1 Leading and developing people | 5 (Masters-Aligned) | 5 years |
| CREMO-A1 Empowering others | 5 (Masters-Aligned) | 5 years |
| CRADC-A1 Adaptive mindsets | 5 (Masters-Aligned) | 5 years |
| CRDSR-A1 Driving strategic results | 5 (Masters-Aligned) | 5 years |
| CRDIL-A1 Digital literacy | 5 (Masters-Aligned) | 5 years |
| CRCRI-A1 Critical thinking | 5 (Masters-Aligned) | 5 years |
| CRPSV-A1 Problem solving | 5 (Masters-Aligned) | 5 years |
| CRCEN-A1 Cultural engagement (Formerly CRGCZ-A1 Global citizenship) | 5 (Masters-Aligned) | 5 years |
Applicants who have not satisfied the level requirement, or who have successfully achieved the credential but not within the required timeframe may be permitted to seek re-credentialling.
^ There are five levels and these are aligned with recognised "exit points" from the education sector, the AQF, work levels and industry frameworks. Level 5 is aligned to the AQF Masters Level.
Capstone unit
| MPP703 | Leadership Research Project (2 credit points) |
Work experience
This course does not require students to complete compulsory work integrated learning units.
To complete the Professional Practice Credentials, students will be required to draw on their current and past leadership experience.
Other course information
Course duration - additional information
Students have the opportunity of fast-tracking the course in one year by completing all units in three consecutive trimesters and all credentials within the first two trimesters of study.
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.
- Contact Student Central
Fees and charges
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.
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 mandatory checks, travel and stationery.
Use the Fee estimator to see course and unit fees applicable to your course and type of place. Further information regarding tuition fees, other fees and charges, invoice due dates, withdrawal dates, payment methods is available on our Current students fees website.