Master of Leadership
2027 Deakin University Handbook
| Year | 2027 course information |
|---|---|
| Award granted | Master of Leadership |
| Deakin course code | M797 |
| Course version | 3 |
| Faculty | Faculty of Business and Law |
| Course information | For students who commenced from 2024 onwards |
| 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 new students commencing from Trimester 1 2027 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
Study Deakin’s Master of Leadership at a top 3 business school in the Australian state of Victoria and build the confidence to lead people, teams and organisations through change. Delivered fully online with flexible study options, the course is designed for busy professionals so you can balance learning with work and life.
Explore contemporary leadership theory alongside practical units in innovation, communication, ethics and leading in complex systems. Drawing on your professional experience, you will learn from industry and academic experts and apply new ideas to real workplace challenges. Supported by strong industry connections and lifelong access to Deakin’s award-winning career service, you will graduate ready to progress into more senior roles, lead high-performing teams and shape positive change in your organisation and sector.
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
| Course Learning Outcomes |
|---|
| Demonstrate an advanced and integrated understanding of contemporary leadership theory and practices, creating new discipline knowledge through applied research methods |
| Demonstrate advanced communication skills through the use of tools, techniques and media to gather data, and engage and inspire others |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| Apply advanced problem solving skills to conceptualise, design, construct and advocate for recommended innovative solutions for complex leadership related issues |
| Advance personal development and capacity as a leader to proactively drive and take responsibility for strategic results |
| Work across a range of professions, functions, contexts or teams to optimise collaborative outcomes, to improve strategic outcomes |
| Define and reinforce the vision and values that orient collective effort, socially responsibility and ethical decision making |
Note – From 2026, Deakin commenced introducing Graduate Attributes (GAs), which define the distinctive characteristics of a Deakin graduate. You may notice some courses still refer to Graduate Learning Outcomes (GLOs) during this transition period.
Course rules
To complete the Master of Leadership you must pass 6 credit points. This includes:
- DAI001 Academic Integrity and Respect at Deakin (0-credit-point compulsory unit) in your first study period
- 4 core units
- 2 Professional Practice Credentials
- 2 stackable short courses
- And one of:
- 2 stackable short courses or
- 2 Professional Practice Credentials.
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
| MPL700 | Leadership Practice with Impact |
| MPL701 | Leadership Research Methods |
| MBA700 | Leadership and Professional Development |
| MPP703 | Leadership Research Project capstone |
Core professional practice credentials
Core Professional Practice Credentials
Students must successfully complete the two core Professional Practice credentials.
CRADC-G1 Adaptive mindsets (Advanced) ^
CRDSR-G1 Driving strategic results (Advanced) ^
Successful attainment of Professional Practice credentials is based on evidence provided from professional practice, hence recognition through authentic learning experiences. The credentials may be attempted separately or simultaneously and are assessed by an assessment panel that includes both academic and industry representatives.
* Applicants may be permitted to seek re-credentialling if they:
a) have not satisfied the advanced level requirement, or
b) have successfully achieved the credential but not within the required timeframe of five years
^ There are three 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 the minimum level of attainment required for this award.
Stackable Short Courses and Professional Practice Credentials selection
Must select two stackable short courses (microcredentials) from:
DMC710-AW Crisis Leadership
MMC705-AW Innovation and Leadership
MMC704-AW Innovation and Organisational Change
MMC715-AW Sustainable Leadership to 2030 (Masterclass not available in 2027)
As a Master of Leadership student, when you are ready to enrol in your stackable short courses, please contact a Course Adviser or students@leadership.deakin.edu.au
Please refer to Deakin Current Students information for the handbook and important information on key dates, as well as Microcredential learner support.
Additionally, all students must select and complete either Stream 1 or Stream 2 as listed below:
Stream 1: Plus one credit point from two stackable short courses (microcredentials)#
DMC709-AW Skill Up to Lead Culturally Diverse Teams
MMC711-AW Leading Digital and AI Transformation (Masterclass not offered in 2027)
OR
Stream 2: completion of two Professional Practice credentials*:
CRLDP-G1 Leading and developing people (Advanced)
CREMO-G1 Empowering others (Advanced)
*Applicants may be permitted to seek re-credentialling if they:
a) have not satisfied the advanced level requirement; or
b) have successfully achieved the credential but not within the required timeframe of five years.
There are three 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 the minimum level of attainment required for this award.
# The stackable stream (stream 1) is not available in 2027. Students must complete the Professional Practice credentials stream.
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
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
You may be able to study available units in the optional third trimester to fast-track your degree, however your course duration may be extended if there are delays in meeting course requirements, such as completing a placement.
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.