Master of Clinical Nursing

Graduates of the Master of Clinical Nursing will be able to:

• evaluate issues and challenges confronting the clinical practice within the health care sector
• conceptualise new and creative approaches to clinical nursing to support service delivery in culturally-diverse health care settings
• connect theory, practice and research with regard to clinical nursing in the health care workplace
• examine the ethical aspects of personal, professional, social, cultural, environmental and institutional changes within contemporary health care delivery and respond to such changes
• reflect on options and opportunities to enhance professional practice in contemporary local, regional and global health care contexts
• contribute to values-based professional practice in dynamic and challenging environments.

The Master of Clinical Nursing builds on from the Graduate Certificate in Clinical Nursing and the Graduate Diploma in Clinical Nursing bringing the clinical expert and clinical leadership components together. It aims to expand the health clinician's knowledge and skills in clinical nursing at a specialist and advanced level. The course includes carefully designed coursework units with embedded research-led teaching, with both project and thesis options

Graduates of the Master of Clinical Nursing will be able to:

• evaluate issues and challenges confronting the clinical practice within the health care sector
• conceptualise new and creative approaches to clinical nursing to support service delivery in culturally-diverse health care settings
• connect theory, practice and research with regard to clinical nursing in the health care workplace
• examine the ethical aspects of personal, professional, social, cultural, environmental and institutional changes within contemporary health care delivery and respond to such changes
• reflect on options and opportunities to enhance professional practice in contemporary local, regional and global health care contexts
• contribute to values-based professional practice in dynamic and challenging environments.

Recommended study pattern

To qualify for the Master of Clinical Nursing, a student must complete 120 cp from the Schedule of Unit Offerings, consisting of:

1. For Project Stream:
   1. 40 cp from Clinical Nursing Units;
   2. 60 cp from Project Stream Units;
   3. 20 cp from Elective Units. OR
2. For Research Stream:
   1. 40 cp from Clinical Nursing units;
   2. 80 cp from Research Stream Units.

Students need to remain employed in the specialty nursing area while studying the x4 clinical nursing units (Grad Cert level) unless approved otherwise by the Course Coordinator.

Award requirements

To qualify for the degree, a student must complete 120 cp from the schedule of subject offerings.

Exit points

A student who has completed the following requirements from the specialisations in the Schedule of Unit Offerings may exit with the relevant award:

1. Graduate Certificate in Clinical Nursing:40 cp from Clinical Nursing units;
2. Graduate Diploma in Clinical Nursing: 40 cp from Clinical Nursing units 40 cp from either Project Stream Units or Research Stream Units.

Degrees are usually made up of core subjects and electives. Some degrees include a choice of majors, so you can focus your studies on a specialisation.

This list is a general overview. Download the full Degree Guide for more information.

• Project Stream

• Research Stream

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

Indicative total fee $31,006

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.

Established in 1991 after amalgamating four eastern Australian Catholic tertiary institutes, Australian Catholic University now has seven campuses, from Brisbane to Melbourne and welcomes students of all beliefs. Specialising in arts, business, education, health sciences, law, theology and philosophy, ACU encourages its students to think critically and ethically and bring change to their communities and offer this online through Open Universities Australia.

Learn more about ACU.

Explore ACU courses.

QS World University Ranking 2025, within Australia:

35

Times Higher Education World University Ranking 2025, within Australia:

26

To be eligible for admission to the Master of Clinical Nursing an applicant must:

1. Have completed one of:
   1. a Bachelor of Nursing;
   2. the Graduate Certificate in Clinical Nursing; or
   3. the Graduate Diploma in Clinical Nursing
2. Hold current registration with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA);
3. Be employed in a substantive position in their chosen specialisation unless approved otherwise by the Course Coordinator.

An applicant must:

1. Hold current registration with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA);
2. Be employed in a substantive position in their chosen specialisation unless approved otherwise by the course coordinator.

Academic IELTS with an overall score of 6.5 (with minimum scores of 6.0 in all tests).

Pearson Test of English (PTE): 58 with a minimum of 50 in all four communicative skills.

Test of English as a Foreign Language - Academic TOEFL: Internet based total of 79 with a minimum 21 in writing, 18 in speaking, 13 in reading, and 12 in listening.

ACU English Lanugage Test B (65% - 74%).

Cambridge Advanced English (CAE): Overall CAE of 176 with a minimum individual score of 169 in all tests.

A student who has completed the following requirements from the specialisations in the Schedule of Unit Offerings may exit with the relevant award:

1. Graduate Certificate in Clinical Nursing:40 cp from Clinical Nursing units;
2. Graduate Diploma in Clinical Nursing: 40 cp from Clinical Nursing units 40 cp from either Project Stream Units or Research Stream Units.

If you have already studied at university level or have significant relevant work experience, you can apply for credit towards your ACU course. Credited units replace units you would otherwise study, so you can finish your course earlier.

Students must be a registered nurse and be employed in a substantive position in their chosen specialisation. They need to remain employed in this specialty nursing area while studying the four clinical nursing units (graduate certificate level) unless approved otherwise by the course coordinator.