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    MC-GOVL

    Corporate Governance and Leadership

    Master by coursework

    Gain the advanced skills for contemporary governance and leadership that respond to the global call for greater accountability, fairness, and social and environmental responsibility in business.

    Course outline
    • Qualification
      Master of Corporate Governance and Leadership
    • Duration

      Duration

      2 years part-time
    • Credit

      Credit

      200
    Course outline

    Overview

    Overview

    Corporate governance is experiencing rapid change due to socioeconomic and environmental issues related to organisational business models. Globally, there is a call for greater fairness and social responsibility in business; across Australia, thousands of governance and risk management professionals are expected to drive better governance within their organisations.

    Responding to that need, and in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, this master degree nurtures contemporary leadership that champions accountability, inclusion and diversity.

    Co-designed with the Governance Institute of Australia and industry consultation, this course has aspects of international business, human resource management, and innovation and entrepreneurship to give you advanced skills in corporate governance and responsible leadership.

    You will learn:

    • the principles related to the regulation of governance and risk compliance
    • how to apply a framework of responsible leadership and capacity building
    • how to apply governance principles and best practice in risk management for organisation boards how to identify and evaluate sources of finance and their risks and returns
    • how to assess corporate culture and behaviours that impact risk and compliance management
    • how to create business strategies that consider global sustainability issues how to develop teamwork strategies that incorporate communication and networking skills
    • how to complete effective crisis and recovery management and business continuity planning.

    As part of the course, you may also complete an industry project involving research and analysis of a business challenge or opportunity.

    Note: If you have already completed the GIA Graduate Certificate in Applied Corporate Governance and Risk Management, you are eligible to enrol in the Master of Corporate Governance and Responsible leadership.

    What you'll learn

    • Conceptualise knowledge of the theories and principles related to the legal regulation of governance and risk compliance, and appropriate strategic approaches
    • Identify and critically evaluate sources of finance and the impact of corporate conduct, behaviours and culture on risk and compliance management practices with their associated risks and returns
    • Develop effective teamwork strategies incorporating communication and networking skills
    • Critically appraise and apply corporate governance principles, as well as best practices in risk management for the board of organisations
    • Apply contemporary leadership theory to contemporary work contexts using UN SDGs and develop effective teamwork strategies incorporating communication, leadership and networking skills
    • Formulate creative strategies and apply effective governance and responsible leadership knowledge, skills and competencies to highly complex global problems that require sustainability thinking and application

    Why study Corporate Governance and Leadership at Curtin?

    Work-integrated learning

    You have the choice of completing a practical project involving a business challenge or opportunity.

    Flexible study

    This course can be completed fully online.

    Industry recognition

    This course is co-designed and delivered with the Governance Institute of Australia.

    Admission criteria

    What you need in order to get into this course. There are different pathway options depending on your level of work and education experience.

    1. Applicants who will transition to the proposed course after completion of the GIA Certificate in Applied Corporate Governance (100-credit course) have to meet the admission criteria of GIA outlined below (extracted from GIA Admissions Guidelines).

    2. Applicants require a relevant bachelor degree or higher degree from an Australian University or an equivalent qualification from an approved higher education provider in Australia (as defined by Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency (TEQSA)) or recognised overseas university or higher education provider. Curtin students should refer to the Course Structure Note to identify relevant undergraduate degrees. Applicants external to Curtin will be assessed on a case-by-case basis.

    3. Professional memberships and professional experience alone do not qualify as degree equivalent for entry into a postgraduate course.

    Credit for recognised learning (CRL)

    Use your experience to get credit towards your degree

    Finish your course sooner with credit for your previous study or work experience.

    Fees and scholarships

    Domestic fee paying postgraduate

    2026 Fee year:

    $35,574*

    Domestic

    Domestic

    Fees are indicative only.

    * Based on a first-year full-time study load of 200 credits. The total cost will depend on your course options (i.e. units selected and time taken to complete).

    Looking for more detail on the course structure?

    View course structure

    How to apply

    Please review information on how to apply for the campus of your choice

    Please note that each campus has different application deadlines. View our application deadlines page for further information.

    Apply now
    • The offering information on this website applies only to future students. Current students should refer to faculty handbooks for current or past course information.

      The information on this page may be subject to change. In particular, Curtin University may change the content, method or location of delivery or tuition fees of courses.

      While Curtin uses reasonable efforts to ensure that the information provided on this page is accurate and up to date, errors and omissions sometimes occur. Curtin makes no warranty, representation or undertaking (expressed or implied) nor does it assume any legal liability (direct or indirect) for the accuracy, completeness or usefulness of any information.

      View courses information disclaimer.

    • Curtin course code: MC-GOVL
    • Last updated on: 25 March 2026

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