Graduate Diploma in Health Professional Education
Course information for
2026 entry
- 2025 entry
- 2026 entry
- 2025 entry
- 2026 entry
- Duration
- 1 year full-time or equivalent part-time
- Fees (first year)*
- Start dates
- ACU Term 1, ACU Term 3
- Commonwealth Supported Places are available for this course. See the course costs section below, under Fees.
- This course is available to international students not seeking to study on a Student Visa.
Overview
The ACU Graduate Diploma in Health Professional Education is designed for all healthcare professionals to advance their teaching and leadership skills in health professional education, who are looking to influence health education through best-practice teaching strategies. This course builds on the foundational knowledge gained in the Graduate Certificate in Health Professional Education, fostering interdisciplinary collaboration and equipping educators with the knowledge and strategies needed to enhance learning experiences in their workplaces.
Graduates of this program will be equipped to design, implement and evaluate curriculum, assessment, and effective teaching strategies in healthcare settings. Graduates will also be prepared to foster ethical considerations in health professional education design and delivery; understand research methodologies; and embed evidence-based, contemporary health professional education that informs best practice and supports the future of healthcare.
The course is offered under 2 streams – an Independent Project stream or Research stream – both housing eight core units of study. Delivered online (one-year full time or equivalent part -time), the program accommodates the busy schedules of healthcare professionals.
This Graduate Diploma serves as a pathway to the Master of Health Professional Education, providing a solid foundation for leadership in both clinical and academic environments.
Commonwealth Supported Places are available for this course. See the Courses costs section below, under Fees.
Careers
Our graduates have pursued careers in:
- government or private health care
- education facilities in education
- healthcare simulation education
- health education promotion.
Course details
Course structure
To complete the Graduate Diploma in Health Professional Education, a student must complete 80 credit points (cp).
Course map
Graduate statement
AQF framework
Exit Points
A student who has completed the requirements for the Graduate Certificate in Health Professional Education may exit with that award.
Overseas study available
- Available to international students not seeking to study on a Student Visa.
- This course is available to offshore international students.
Entry requirements
To be eligible for admission to the Graduate Diploma in Health Professional Education, an applicant must:
a. have completed a bachelor degree in a health or allied health discipline; OR have completed post graduate studies in a health or allied health discipline;
AND
b. have completed at least one year of health or allied health professional clinical or work experience prior to admission.
An applicant must also comply with the Admission to Coursework Programs Policy.
Disclaimer: The course entry requirements above are for 2026 Admission.
Applicants with higher education study
To be eligible for admission to the Graduate Diploma in Health Professional Education, an application must:
a. have completed either a bachelor degree in a health discipline or equivalent; OR; have completed the Graduate Certificate in Clinical Education or the Graduate Certificate in Health Professional Education; AND
b. have completed at least one year of clinical or work experience prior to admission.
An applicant must also comply with the Admission to Coursework Programs Policy.
You will need to meet the minimum entry requirements and subject prerequisites for your chosen course.
If you have completed at least two units of AQF-recognised study at bachelor level or above, we’ll assign you with a new selection rank that reflects your study level, duration, and grade point average.
If your prior study or relevant work experience has provided you with knowledge, skills or experience aligned with the learning outcomes of units in your new course, you may be eligible to gain credit for study or have your prior learning recognised. This means you may be able to complete your ACU course in a shorter timeframe.
You can use our credit search tool to see what you might be eligible for. For more information about credit and recognition of prior learning at ACU, follow the link below.
English language requirements
Applicants require an academic IELTS minimum overall score of 6.5 (with a minimum score of 6.0 in all bands), or an equivalent acceptable test score as outlined in the Admission to Coursework Programs Policy (see English Language Proficiency).
Inherent requirement
There are essential components of a course or unit that demonstrate the capabilities, knowledge and skills to achieve the core learning outcomes of that course or unit. You will need to be able to meet these inherent requirements to complete your course.
Learn more about inherent requirements for your course and how they affect you
Pathways
Further study
Graduates may be eligible to apply for enrolment in the Master of Health Professional Education.
Fees
Course costs
*This is an indicative first-year fee based on the tuition fee rates for a full-time student, using unit enrolment data from domestic students who studied the course in the previous year.
A student’s annual fee will vary depending on factors including:
- Number of units studied per year
- Choice of major or specialisation
- Elective units
The University reviews fees annually.
You can view current course costs and domestic tuition fee rates by unit.
A 10% rebate on fees will be offered to domestic ACU graduates (from any faculty) enrolling in full fee-paying postgraduate studies in the Faculty of Health Sciences. Conditions apply.
Payment options
You should be able to concentrate on getting good marks instead of worrying about how you’ll pay your fees. We have a number of options that can help you ease the financial burden, including government assistance, scholarships and income support.
Scholarships
You could be eligible for one of the hundreds of scholarships we award each year to help students from across the university with the cost of studying, accommodation or overseas study opportunities. Some of our scholarships are awarded on the basis of merit, but these aren’t just for the academically gifted; ACU also recognises excellence in community engagement and leadership. We also offer a range of scholarships for those who may be struggling financially or who have faced other barriers to accessing education.
Apply for this course
ACU Online Applicants
Deferment
Deferment is available for one year. Find out more about deferment.