Course overview

At Deakin, we recognise that the efficient management and delivery of healthcare will be one of the most pressing challenges facing economies over the coming years.  Jointly run and managed by the Deakin Business School and the School of Medicine, 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 a healthcare organisational environment or management role today, you need more than mere business knowledge. A comprehensive understanding of the policy context you work in is vital, along with the skills to formulate and implement strategies that are necessary to operate efficiently and effectively.

Develop the specialised knowledge and skills to manage 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 economics.

This course also offers an advanced combination of business insight and healthcare focus to succeed in this critical area of health service delivery.

Course structure

To complete the Master of Business Administration (Healthcare management), students must attain a total of 16 credit points, consisting of 8 credit points of core units offered by the Faculty of Business and Law and 6 credit points of core units and 2 credit points of elective units offered by the Faculty of Health, plus completion of the compulsory 0-credit point module, MAI010 Academic Integrity Module. Most units (think of units as 'subjects') are equal to 1 credit point.

Students are introduced to research tools and techniques in core units of the course where they learn analytic skills and the practical application of those skills in professional contexts. They must also complete advanced level units and a capstone unit that require them to integrate the skills learnt over their course of study and produce applied pieces of research with reference to prevailing literature.

Intakes by location

The availability of a course varies across locations and intakes. This means that a course offered in Trimester 1 may not be offered in the same location for Trimester 2 or 3. Check each intake for up-to-date information on when and where you can commence your studies.

Additional course information

Mandatory student checks
Any unit which contains work-integrated learning, a community placement or interaction with the community may require a police check, working with children check or other check. Refer to the relevant unit guide.

Course duration - additional information
Course duration may be affected by delays in completing course requirements, such as accessing or completing work placements.

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.

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.

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.

easonable adjustments to participation and other course requirements will be made for students with a disability. More information available at Disability support services.

Work experience

This course does not require students to complete compulsory work integrated learning units.

Entry requirements

Minimum admission criteria:

•Bachelor degree in any discipline and a minimum of three years relevant work experience*, or
•Graduate Certificate in a related discipline and three years relevant work experience, or
•Graduate Diploma equivalent (professional pathways)

*Definition of minimum work experience: three years relevant work experience and must include at least two years (full-time equivalent) in a managerial or professional role with responsibilities for decision-making in a range of areas including budgetary oversight, staffing and management, involvement in strategy and planning development and operational implementation.

The following considerations may also be applied:
(i) Full-time, minimum 12 months clinical internships taken post-graduation by MBBS/BMBS/MBChB/BDS graduates may be considered equivalent to one year of the required 3 years’ professional work experience.
(ii) All recognised^ postgraduate medical and/or dental fellowships may be considered as relevant professional work experience (^recognised by their country’s licensing or regulatory bodies).

All applicants must provide the following with their application:

• current CV that clearly demonstrates professional / managerial experience

• current contact details of two referees who can be contacted concerning their work experience

• a one page brief outlining why they believe that their work experience would be valued by their MBA peers

IELTS / English language requirements

Please note that English language requirements exist for entry to this course and you will be required to meet the English language level requirement that is applicable in the year of your commencement of studies.

It is the students’ responsibility to ensure that she/he has the required IELTS score to register with any external accredited courses. (more details)

Deakin University offers admission to postgraduate courses through a range of Admission categories. To be eligible for admission to this program, applicants must meet the course requirements.

All applicants must meet the minimum English language requirements.

Please note that meeting the minimum admission requirements does not guarantee selection, which is based on merit, likelihood of success and availability of places in the course.

For more information on the Admission Criteria and Selection (Higher Education Courses) Policy visit the Deakin Policy Library

Recognition of prior learning

If you have completed previous studies which you believe may reduce the number of units you have to complete at Deakin, indicate in the appropriate section on your application that you wish to be considered for Recognition of Prior Learning. You will need to provide a certified copy of your previous course details so your credit can be determined. If you are eligible, your offer letter will then contain information about your Recognition of Prior Learning.
Your Recognition of Prior Learning is formally approved prior to your enrolment at Deakin during the Enrolment and Orientation Program. You must bring original documents relating to your previous study so that this approval can occur.

You can also refer to the Recognition of Prior Learning System which outlines the credit that may be granted towards a Deakin University degree.

Entry pathways

Alternative exits

• Graduate Certificate of Business Administration (M501)
• Graduate Certificate of Healthcare Management (M543)
• Graduate Diploma of Business Administration (M601)
• Master of Business Administration (M701)

Careers

Career outcomes

The more complex healthcare service delivery becomes from changing population, disease profile and medical technology, the greater the need for qualified healthcare managers. There is a pressing desire for trained and skilled healthcare executives and leaders in Australia and the Asia-Pacific to lead and manage healthcare service delivery into the future. The Deakin MBA (Healthcare Management) course content has been developed in consultation with industry and by academics with several years of industry experience. With the Deakin MBA (Healthcare Management) qualification in hand you’re well positioned to either progress in your existing healthcare career or embark on a new one as a healthcare manager.

Professional recognition

Deakin Business School is in the top 1% of business schools globally by holding 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.

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.

Further, the course is the only MBA recognised by the Royal Australasian College of Medical Administrators (RACMA) for their Fellowship training.