Graduate Certificate in Clinical Leadership

Graduates of the Graduate Certificate in Clinical Leadership will have specialised knowledge within a systematic and coherent body of clinical leadership knowledge including:

1. the impact of clinical leadership on the healthcare teams, organisations and systems
2. the current and potential research programs and future for clinical leaders in contemporary health care services and systems
3. the principles of how clinical work is organised, how health organisations work, bring information and evidence to operation and strategy as well as design, intervention and presentation of clinical information for direction and service shaping (translation and transfer)
4. contemporary systems and applications of clinical leadership nationally and internationally
5. the power of research outputs and outcomes where associated knowledge has been used to the optimum in relation to research questions. 

In this degree, you will study contemporary issues and practices associated with healthcare leadership, quality and safety management, and implementation science. By developing your management skills and understanding of how health service organisations function, this degree will give you the confidence to lead transformational change in complex healthcare settings.

The degree is ideal for clinicians, health management professionals and those working in corporate or administration roles within health, aged and social care organisations.

Recommended study pattern

As a guide, core subjects in this degree can include: 

• Strategic Decision Making in Health
• Financing Health and Social Care
• Change Management in Dynamic Healthcare Systems
• Quality and Risk Management in Healthcare

Plus there’s a selection of majors, minors and electives to choose from. As part of your application, you’ll be guided through how to get the right degree structure in place for you.

Award requirements

To be eligible for the award of Graduate Certificate in Clinical Leadership (GCertClinLead), a student must successfully complete 40 credit points made up of:

• 40 credit points for the Foundation Module

Open Universities Australia is a not-for-profit organisation. You will not pay any fees for using our services.

Indicative total fee $7,000

The amount shown here is indicative for an Australian citizen studying full-time, which is typically 8 subjects per year.

Fees may vary depending on:

• the subjects you choose
• credit from previous work experience
• your eligibility for government funding loans or subsidies such as HECS-HELP or a Commonwealth supported place.

To learn more, go to Fees or contact a student advisor.

With a network of campuses spanning three cities in South East Queensland, Griffith University is committed to progressive multidisciplinary teaching and research and a valuable online provider with Open Universities Australia. Already attracting students from over one hundred countries, Griffith's dedication to academic excellence is available across Australia through OUA.

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QS World University Ranking 2025, within Australia:

18

Times Higher Education World University Ranking 2025, within Australia:

21

To be eligible for admission to the Graduate Certificate in Clinical Leadership applicants must hold: 

• a recognised Bachelor degree (or higher) in any discipline; OR 
• a minimum of two years equivalent full-time work experience in administrative, management and leadership roles within healthcare organisations

English language requirements apply to International applicants and other applicants whose previous study was undertaken in a language other than English. The minimum English language requirements for such applicants for entry to this program are as follows:

• A minimum overall band score of 6.5 on IELTS (Academic) with no sub-score of less than 6.0
• OR a minimum score of 575 on TOEFL
• OR an internet-based (iBT) TOEFL score of 79 (no sub-score less than 19)
• OR no score less than 3+ in each skill of the ISLPR (conducted by ISLPR Language Services only)
• OR a minimum overall score of 176 (no score less than 169) on C1 Advanced (formerly Cambridge Certificate in Advanced English) or C2 Proficiency (formerly Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English)
• OR an overall score of 58 in the Pearson Test of English (Academic) with no score less than 50.

English test results must be no more than two years old.

International students who successfully complete the Direct Entry Program (DEP) will satisfy the English Language requirements for this Griffith degree.

The Direct Entry Program (DEP) is not available for Domestic students.

Reduce the time it takes to finish your degree. You can apply to Griffith to recognise your prior learning, including: 

• Formal learning through courses completed at uni and TAFE. 
• Informal learning through workplace experience or volunteer training. 
• Non-formal learning through social experiences and hobbies.