This is an exit-only course. There is no direct admission to it. Current CUA students may be able to submit an Internal Course Transfer (Graduating) application to exit with this course. See the Course transfer page for further details.
This course provides registered nurses with the knowledge and skills for a specialist role as an advanced nurse at a graduate diploma level. Students can tailor the diploma to their area of specialty or role. There is a large selection of elective subjects that encompass the areas of clinical, chronic and complex care (ageing and palliation); primary health care; education; management; and research.
This course is designed so that students can tailor their subject choices to meet their individual needs. The knowledge, skills and expertise gained enable students to enhance the quality of care for patients and their families. Students develop skills to actively contribute to the professional development of others and use evidence to make informed decisions about nursing practice. Highly respected by employers and clinicians alike, this course develops a variety of career options.
Students develop graduate attributes such as leadership; critical thinking; accountability; communication; professional qualities appropriate to their role; and Indigenous cultural respect. These attributes are developed with key external stakeholders, industry advisers, clinical partners, employers and clinicians. The course develops a student's career as a clinician, manager or educator through extending, enhancing and building confidence in existing skills in addition to providing academic experience and qualifications.
Course fees
For relevant fee information, please choose from the following:
Local student
In most cases, CUA offers domestic students entry to postgraduate courses on a fee paying basis.
Tuition fees are charged:
based on the particular course in which you are enrolled
based on the number of credit points in which you are enrolled
at the rates set for the current year and revised annually
Fees for future year(s) published in the online calculator, whilst unlikely to change, are estimates only. CUA makes every effort to provide up to date future year(s) fee estimates and to limit any changes, however, CUA reserves the right to vary fees for future year(s) at any time.
In addition to tuition fees, students are required to pay a Services and Amenities Fee (SSAF). The purchase of textbooks and other course materials may also result in additional costs.
Career options include leadership positions in advanced roles, e.g. clinical, chronic and complex care (ageing and palliation), primary health care, education, management, research, clinical nurse specialist or consultant, nursing management, complex case management, nursing education, and aged care.
Course structure
Course structure explained
Students must complete a total of 48 credit points (eight subjects).
The course comprises two course structure choices:
two core subjects and six elective subjects, or
one sub-major (four subjects), two core subjects and two elective subjects.
The course can be completed in a minimum of 16 months online study, 1 x 6 credit point subject (or equivalent) per session over 4 x 7-week sessions.
Online
Admission requirements
Admission requirements
Applicants must hold current registration as a nurse in Australia. Registered nurses who do not have an undergraduate diploma or degree but do have recent relevant work experience and can demonstrate the capacity to undertake tertiary study may also be considered eligible.
International applicants must be a registered nurse in their own country or place of residence and hold a current Authority to Practise. International applicants must also have at least one year of post-registration clinical experience.
Local applicants must have concurrent employment in, or access to, the chosen/relevant clinical area of study and one year of post-registration clinical experience.
Students' current nursing registration will be confirmed via the National Register of Practitioners. Students should ensure that details of their registration are up-to-date on this register.
Articulation with CUA courses
This course articulates with the Master of Advanced Nursing (C04228).
This course is not available to international applicants. CUA International has information on all courses available to international applicants wishing to study at CUA.
