Graduate Diploma in Digital Health
Course information for - 2023 entry
- Study mode
- Online
- Duration
- 1 year full-time or equivalent part-time
- Fees (first year)*
$27240 Fee-paying
- Start dates
- ACU Online Term 2 - April, ACU Online Term 3 - July, ACU Online Term 4 - October
Overview
The Graduate Diploma in Digital Health helps health and IT professionals acquire advanced knowledge and skills in interpreting meaningful health data, and foundational knowledge in digital health ecosystems to influence strategic direction that greatly benefits health care.
The diploma will prepare you to collect, transfer, link, analyse, interpret, and report meaningful data within a local digital health ecosystem for the use of advanced technologies and techniques. You’ll also evaluate the use of data standards and data integrity when used for health data exchange. The ethical underpinnings of the course will lead to the development of humanistic and ethical strategic directions for digital health technologies.

Professional experience
The Graduate Diploma in Digital Health will provide career- and industry-relevant knowledge and skills. The degree is delivered online with a curriculum that will provide knowledge and skills immediately applicable to employment situations of the students, thereby having a focus on developing an applied skill base in each student. The degree embeds research-led teaching at the core of its curriculum to deliver evidence-based knowledge and practice for immediate application in industry.

Careers
Examples of potential employment settings include:
- hospital information technology
- health informatics
- business analytic roles in the healthcare sector
- medical software
- electronic medical records and practice management
- biotechnology and consumer technology
- health data
- strategic and operational leadership
Course details
Course structure
To complete the Graduate Diploma in Digital Health, a student must complete 80 credit points (cp).
Sample program map
Year - Study period | Unit 1 | Unit 2 | Unit 3 | Unit 4 | Unit 5 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
2.1 Pathway 1 Term 1 and Term 3 20cp of | HLSC505 Health Data Fundamentals | PHIL519 Ethical Practice in Digital Health | ITEC610 Introduction to Data Science with Python | ||
Term 2 and Term 4 "Pathway 1" | HLSC506 Strategic Management In Digital Health Service Delivery | ITEC613 Machine Learning with Scikit-Learn | ITEC615 Information Technology Essentials | ||
Term 1 and Term 3 "Pathway 1" 20cp of | HLSC674 Electronic Health Records, Health Data Exchange & Standards | ITEC617 Modern Database Management | ELECTIVE | ||
Term 2 and Term 4 "Pathway 1" 20cp of | HLSC675 Health Knowledge Management | ITEC618 Programming Concepts | ELECTIVE | ||
2.2 Pathway 2 Term 1 and Term 3 20cp of | HLSC505 Health Data Fundamentals | PHIL519 Ethical Practice in Digital Health | ITEC610 Introduction to Data Science with Python | ||
Term 2 and Term 4 "Pathway 2" 20cp of | ITEC613 Machine Learning with Scikit-Learn | HLSC506 Strategic Management In Digital Health Service Delivery OR ITEC615 Information Technology Essentials | |||
Term 1 and Term 3 "Pathway 2" 20cp of | HLSC674 Electronic Health Records, Health Data Exchange & Standards | ITEC617 Modern Database Management | ELECTIVE | ||
Term 2 and Term 4 "Pathway 2" 20cp of | HLSC675 Health Knowledge Management | ITEC618 Programming Concepts | ELECTIVE |
This is a sample program only and units will vary depending on your campus and mode of study. Please refer to the handbook for the prerequisite units and the current listing.
Pathway 1 (80 Credit Points) – completion of 30 cp of Health units and 30 cp of IT units and 20cp of Electives
Pathway 2 (80 Credit Points) – completion of 50 cp of Health units and 10 cp of IT units and 20cp of Electives
AQF framework
Exit Points
A student from Pathway 1 who has completed 40 cp of specified units from the Schedule of Unit Offerings, including at least 10 cp from Health Units and at least 10 cp from IT units, may exit with the Graduate Certificate in Digital Health.
A student from Pathway 2 who has completed 40 cp of specified units from the Schedule of Unit Offerings, including at least 20 cp from Health Units, may exit with the Graduate Certificate in Digital Health.
Additional course information
Depending on your entry pathway, the program structure may provide the opportunity for elective choices to allow you to tailor the degree to your specific needs.
Overseas study available
This online course is not available to students via international visa, but it is available to international students residing domestically or offshore.
Entry requirements
An applicant must also comply with the Admission to Coursework Programs Policy.
International applicants must also meet the English Language Proficiency requirements as defined in the Admission to Coursework Programs Policy.
To be eligible for admission to the course, an applicant must have completed the following prerequisites:
Bachelor degree in Health or Information Technology
OR
Bachelor degree in any other field of study
OR
ACU’s Graduate Certificate in Digital Health
NOTE: Applicants having completed ACU’s Graduate Certificate in Digital Health will be eligible for recognition of prior learning of up to 40 credit points.
Disclaimer: The course entry requirements above are for 2023 Admission.
Applicants with higher education study
You’ll need to meet the minimum entry requirements for your chosen course.
If your previous study has equipped you with knowledge, skills or experiences that align with the learning outcomes of units in your new course you may be able to apply for recognition of prior learning and you may be able to complete your course sooner. Speak to your course consultant for more information or to discuss your eligibility.
Applicants with work and life experience
You’ll need to meet the minimum entry requirements for your chosen course.
English language requirements
Applicants must also comply with the Admission to Coursework Programs Policy and 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 (Schedule 3).
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
Pathways into course for applicants with previous study and/or life experience
Graduate Certificate in Digital Health
Further study
Master of Digital Health
Fees
Course costs
$27240 Fee-paying
All costs are calculated using current rates and are based on a full-time study load of 20 credit points (normally 2 units) per term.
A student’s annual fee may vary in accordance with:
- the number of units studied per term;
- the choice of major or specialisation; and
- elective units.
The university reviews fees annually.
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, a scholarship and income support. Talk to your course consultant about your options.
Scholarships
You could be eligible for the Scholarship for ACU Online, ACU's Online Campus created to help ACU online students with the costs associated with studying. We also have university wide scholarships you may be eligible for. 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. If you wish to defer, please speak to your course consultant.