Master of Leadership
2025 Deakin University Handbook
| Year | 2025 course information |
|---|---|
| Award granted | Master of Leadership |
| Deakin course code | M797 |
| Faculty | Faculty of Business and Law |
| Campus | This course is only offered Online |
| Online | Yes |
| 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. |
| Course Map - enrolment planning tool | This course map is for is for new students commencing from Trimester 1 2025 Course maps for commencement in previous years are available on the Course Maps webpage or please contact a Student Adviser in Student Central. |
| 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
- Career opportunities
- Participation requirements
- Mandatory student checks
- Pathways
- Alternative exits
- Course Learning Outcomes
- Course rules
- Course structure
- Work experience
- Fees and charges
Course overview
Gain the contemporary skills, knowledge and experience needed to be a business leader of tomorrow. Deakin's Master of Leadership gives you a deep understanding of the theories, concepts and issues surrounding leadership. Study at a top 3 business school in Victoria* to combine academic and research-focused study and be recognised for the skills you’ve already developed in your professional career.
Are you an experienced manager looking to upskill in leadership and strategy?
The Master of Leadership is an opportunity for you to hone your skills alongside other senior leaders in strategic roles. You will focus on developing contemporary knowledge, and real experience, to ensure you graduate as a business leader.
Through integration of theoretical investigation and professional practice, you will learn to recognise and harness the capabilities of pivotal leaders. You will also put theory into practice through a workplace-based research project. This unique learning opportunity will require you to identify and define a problem, review relevant literature, design a study method, present findings, interpret results and present conclusions and recommendations with the support of a mentor who is expert in the field.
As a graduate you will be primed for leadership roles in all sectors, including corporate, not-for-profit, government, IT, mining and education.
Delivered via our premium online learning platform, this flexible program is designed for busy professionals who need to balance study with competing demands. You can also customise your course by choosing from a range of microcredentials.
*AFR BOSS Best Business Schools 2024
Indicative student workload
You can expect to participate in a range of teaching activities each week. This could include lectures, seminars, online interactions, or professional experiences for Work Integrated Learning (WIL) units. 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 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.
Career opportunities
Career opportunities
Deakin’s Master of Leadership prepares you for leadership positions in fields as diverse as:
- business
- education
- entertainment
- government
- health care
- not-for-profits
- politics
- religious organisations
- retail businesses
- sports.
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.
Pathways
Completion of the associated Graduate Certificate of Leadership is an alternative entry option for students wishing to attain a Master of Leadership but who have not completed a Bachelor Degree. Students entering through this pathway will be given credit for common units and credentials. Likewise, students who enrol in a Master Degree may transfer to the associated Graduate Certificate and graduate on completing the requirements for this course.
Master of Leadership does not provide a pathway to a PhD.
Alternative exits
| Graduate Certificate of Leadership (M597) |
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 |
Course rules
To complete the Master of Leadership students must pass 6 credit points and meet the following course rules to be eligible to graduate:
- DAI001 Academic Integrity and Respect at Deakin (0-credit-point compulsory unit) in their first study period
- 4 credit points of core units
- 2 Professional Practice Credentials
- 2 stackable short courses (microcredentials)
- one of:
- 2 stackable short courses (microcredentials)
- 2 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.
Note:
- This course is part-time only.
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
| MPL700 | Leadership Practice with Impact |
| MPL701 | Leadership Research Methods |
| MBA700 | Leadership and Professional Development |
| MPP703 | Leadership Research Project ^capstone |
^This unit is worth 2 credit points.
Core professional practice credentials
Students must successfully complete the two core Professional Practice credentials.
Successful attainment of Professional Practice credentials is based on evidence provided from professional practice, hence recognition through authentic learning experiences. The 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.
Learn more about the details of each microcredential (PDF, 5.1 MB)
| Master Core Credential Requirements | ||
| Credentials | Minimum Level^* | Currency* |
| CRADC-G1 Adaptive mindsets (Advanced) | Advanced | 5 years |
| CRDSR-G1 Driving strategic results (Advanced) | Advanced | 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 of Professional Practice credentials, and these are aligned with recognised "exit points" from the education sector, the AQF, work levels and industry frameworks. Advanced level is aligned to the AQF Graduate Certificate/Graduate Diploma level.
Course electives
Plus two stackable short courses (0.5cp microcredentials) from:
DMC710-AW Crisis Leadership (0.5cpt)
MMC705-AW Innovation and Leadership (0.5cpt)
MMC704-AW Innovation and Organisational Change (0.5cpt)
MMC715-AW Sustainable Leadership to 2030 (0.5cpt)
Plus one credit point from two stackable short courses (0.5cp microcredentials)
DMC709-AW Skill Up to Lead Culturally Diverse Teams (0.5cpt)
MMC711-AW Digital Transformation Leadership (0.5cpt)
OR
one credit point from two Professional Practice credentials:
| Professional Practices credentials | Minimum level | Currency |
| CRLDP-G1 Leading and developing people (Advanced) | Advanced | 5 years |
| CREMO-G1 Empowering others (Advanced) | Advanced | 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 of Professional Practice credentials, and these are aligned with recognised "exit points" from the education sector, the AQF, work levels and industry frameworks. Advanced level is aligned to the AQF Graduate Certificate/Graduate Diploma level.
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.
Course duration
Course duration may be affected by delays in completing course requirements, such as failing of units or accessing or completing placements.
Other course 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.
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 the type of fee place you hold, your course, your commencement year, the units you choose to study, and their study discipline or 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.
For further information regarding tuition fees, other fees and charges, invoice due dates, withdrawal dates, payment methods visit our Current students website.