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Key details
Duration
Locations
Entry requirements
View full entry requirementsCredit points required
120Course code
Overview
The Master of Clinical Nursing provides the graduate with the knowledge and skills to influence practice in their specialty area. Students can engage in specialist electives that support their career progression from a range of specialty areas. Students will continue to build specialist knowledge as they undertake core units of study. The degree supports the registered nurse to lead quality and safety in health care and promote best practice. The degree has been developed to be clinically relevant and clinically focused and supports theory to be translated to the practice environment in a scaffolded approach.
Career opportunities
The qualification prepares you for being a leader in your area of practice across public and private health care, and in hospital and community settings. Graduates of the Master of Clinical Nursing are afforded a wide range of career opportunities including working in specialist areas of practice, leadership and management roles and being a leader in the nursing profession.
Credit transfers and advanced standing
Pathways
Pathways for Higher Education to Higher Education
For information about credit transfer available to students with complete or incomplete study at this or other Institutions refer to Pathways for Higher Education to Higher Education
Credit transfer
For further information on credit transfer and how to apply visit ASK CDU
Credit transfers and advanced standing
Credit transfer
For further information on credit transfer and how to apply visit ASK CDU
Fees
Non-Commonwealth supported places
Full fee paying places are available in this course.
Information about fees and charges can be found at Fees and Payments.
Why study Nursing and Midwifery at CDU?
Future-proof your career in healthcare with a postgraduate nursing or midwifery degree at CDU. Delivered by passionate and expert lecturers, your learning will be guided by evidence, innovation and patient-centred care.
- #2 in Australia for postgraduate nursing starting salary (GUG 2024)
- #3 in Australia for postgraduate nursing employment outcomes (GUG 2024)
- #3 in Australia for postgraduate learner engagement in nursing
- Choose to study online, on campus, part-time or full-time as it suits you
Why study Nursing and Midwifery at CDU?
Find a rewarding career in healthcare when you study nursing or midwifery at CDU. Our graduates have the academic knowledge and hands-on experience to confidently enter the workplace and deliver evidence-based care to their patients.
- Gain practical experience through placements and state-of-the-art clinical simulation suites located around Australia
- #2 in Australia for postgraduate nursing starting salary (GUG 2024)
- #3 in Australia for postgraduate nursing employment outcomes (GUG 2024)
- #3 in Australia for postgraduate learner engagement in nursing
Why study Nursing and Midwifery at CDU?
Future-proof your career in healthcare with a postgraduate nursing or midwifery degree at CDU. Delivered by passionate and expert lecturers, your learning will be guided by evidence, innovation and patient-centred care.
- #2 in Australia for postgraduate nursing starting salary (GUG 2024)
- #3 in Australia for postgraduate nursing employment outcomes (GUG 2024)
- #3 in Australia for postgraduate learner engagement in nursing
- Choose to study online, on campus, part-time or full-time as it suits you
Why study Nursing and Midwifery at CDU?
Find a rewarding career in healthcare when you study nursing or midwifery at CDU. Our graduates have the academic knowledge and hands-on experience to confidently enter the workplace and deliver evidence-based care to their patients.
- Gain practical experience through placements and state-of-the-art clinical simulation suites located around Australia
- #2 in Australia for postgraduate nursing starting salary (GUG 2024)
- #3 in Australia for postgraduate nursing employment outcomes (GUG 2024)
- #3 in Australia for postgraduate learner engagement in nursing
What will I study?
This degree is offered part-time over three years.
Course structure
In the first year of the degree students will engage in specialty electives aligned to their area of practice and interest. Across the second year of the degree students undertake core units of study in which they align their specialty area of practice by using evidence to inform practice and leading safe person centred and culturally sensitive care. In the final year students will undertake two project units aligned to an area of professional interest.
A candidate must successfully complete units totalling 120 credit points (cp) as detailed below. All units are valued at 10 credit points unless otherwise indicated.
| Unit type | Credit Points | Specific requirements |
| Core (5 units) | 80cp | Compulsory Core units totalling 80 credit points as per list of units detailed below: NUR560 Evidence in Health Care (20cp) |
| Specialist Elective (3-4 units) | 40cp | Specialist Elective units totalling 40 credit points selected from ONE of the specialisations detailed below:
Medical Nursing Surgical Nursing Perioperative Nursing Renal Nursing Primary Health Care Nursing Mental Health Nursing Safety and Quality in Health Service Delivery |
| 120cp | Total Credit Points |
Course Rules (unless otherwise indicated in the above course structure)
- See the Higher Education Course Rules (Award Requirements) in the Units and Courses Policy.
Study plan
STUDENTS COMMENCING IN SEMESTER 1
The Recommended Study Plan provided below is suitable for a student enrolling in a part-time study load. Students entering this course with advanced standing, or wishing to vary their study plan due to work, personal, financial or other reasons should use the table as a guide to create an individual study plan.
When designing an individual study plan:
- maintain the basic order in which units are to be attempted; and
- check the prerequisite and assumed knowledge for each unit as some units assume you have completed foundation unit/s in the unit area at a lower level.
NOTE: Students are required to select Specialist Elective Units from ONE stream only:
- Clinical Education
- Medical Nursing
- Surgical Nursing
- Perioperative Nursing
- Renal Nursing
- Primal Health Care Nursing
- Mental Health Nursing
- Safety and Quality
| Legend: | CO = Core Unit | SE = Specialist Elective |
Part-Time Study Plan
| Semester 1 | Semester 2 | ||
| Year 1 | |||
| Specialist Elective (10cp) | SE | Specialist Elective (20cp) | SE |
| Specialist Elective (10cp) | SE | OR | |
| Specialist Elective (10cp) | SE | ||
| Specialist Elective (10cp) | SE | ||
| Year 2 | |||
| NUR560 Evidence in Health Care (20cp) | CO | NUR561 Diversity and Inclusion in Health | CO |
| HEA550 Nursing and Midwifery Professional Leadership | CO | ||
| Year 3 | |||
| NUR601 Nursing Project 1 (20cp) | CO | NUR602 Nursing Project 2 (20cp) | CO |
Entry requirements
Admission criteria
Applicants intending to specialise in Medical Nursing, Perioperative Nursing, Primary Health Care Nursing, Renal Nursing, or Surgical Nursing must meet all of the following requirements:
- Successful completion of a recognised Bachelor of Nursing or equivalent international qualification; and
- Current registration with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) as a Division 1 registered nurse; and
- Current employment in the field of nursing specialisation.
All applicants must provide evidence of current employment or recent experience in their field of nursing specialisation in their application.
Hospital-trained nurses with current registration may also be considered.
Applicants intending to specialise in Mental Health Nursing must meet the following requirements:
- Successful completion of a recognised Bachelor of Nursing or equivalent international qualification; and
- Current registration with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) as a Division 1 registered nurse.
Hospital-trained nurses with current registration may also be considered.
Applicants intending to specialise in Safety and Quality in Health Service Delivery must meet the following qualification:
- Successful completion of a recognised bachelor degree or equivalent international qualification.
Applicants are expected to have relevant employment in the health sector if the completed degree is in a non-health-related field.
Applicants intending to specialise in Clinical Education must meet the following qualification:
- Successful completion of a recognised bachelor degree or equivalent international qualification in a health-related field.
Essential requirements
English language requirements
To gain entry into Charles Darwin University, all Higher Education applicants must satisfy the University's English Language Proficiency requirements for their chosen course of study. From 2025 ALL applicants will be required to supply evidence of this at the time of application. For further details on the English requirements for CDU courses, please refer to CDU English Language Proficiency Policy.
DOMESTIC STUDENTS
English language proficiency requirements - Domestic students
INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS
English language proficiency requirements - International students
Course specific English language proficiency requirements for International students are included below.
The minimum English language requirement for this course is met by either undertaking previous education from an English-speaking country or undertaking one of the following English language tests and obtaining the minimum requirements listed below.
| CDU English for Academic Purposes 4 (ZEAP40) | Successful completion of EAP004 English for Academic Purposes 4 |
| IELTS Academic Module (including One Skill Retake) | A minimum overall score of 6.5 with no band less than 6.0. |
| Cambridge Advanced English (CAE) | A minimum overall score of 176, with no skill below 169. |
| Common European Framework Certificate of English Proficiency | A minimum overall grade of C1, valid for three years from the date of the test to the date of commencement at CDU. |
| Pearson Test of English (PTE) Academic module | A minimum overall score of 58 with no score lower than 50. |
| TOEFL Internet-based Test (iBT) | A minimum overall score of 79 with a minimum writing score of 21. |
* All tests are valid for two years from the date of the test to the date of commencement at CDU, unless otherwise specified.
* Where applicable, international applicants must also satisfy the Department of Home Affairs (DHA) English language requirements for student visa applications.
Do you have a question regarding English requirements at CDU? Please email: international@cdu.edu.au.
The people-first approach to flexibility and supportive learning environment at CDU meant I could find a balance with study, work and family life.
Nikki
CDU student
It’s a two-way education, educators here listen to us as much as we listen to them, so classroom experiences are amazing. I’ve also made a lot of friends through our regular group assignments or projects.
Farhana
CDU student
The people-first approach to flexibility and supportive learning environment at CDU meant I could find a balance with study, work and family life.
Nikki
CDU student
It’s a two-way education, educators here listen to us as much as we listen to them, so classroom experiences are amazing. I’ve also made a lot of friends through our regular group assignments or projects.
Farhana
CDU student
Course details
Inherent Requirements
There are inherent requirements for this course. Students must read and understand the requirements for this course.
Australian qualification framework
This course is recognised in the Australian Qualifications Framework at Level 9.
Additional information
Contact details
For further information about the course, enrolment procedures, closing dates and other administrative issues please contact Student Central on:
You make CDU
Together we are a positive force for change in our communities and the world.
Learn about nursing at CDU
Reeya is from Nepal studying a Bachelor of Nursing at CDU. Hear more about her experience of studying, living, working and playing in Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia.
You make CDU
Together we are a positive force for change in our communities and the world.
Learn about nursing at CDU
Reeya is from Nepal studying a Bachelor of Nursing at CDU. Hear more about her experience of studying, living, working and playing in Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia.
How to apply
There are many ways to apply to CDU. The method you use depends on your course type, where you live and whether you are a new or returning student to CDU.
Remember to apply early for your best chance at securing an offer to study with us.
SATAC
SATAC is the application channel for residents of NT, ACT, SA, WA, QLD, VIC, NSW or TAS.
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