Skip to content
Search icon

Professional Diploma of Skin Cancer Medicine

Manage complex cases through dermoscopy, advanced histopathology, topical treatments, and electro-surgery.

Professional Diploma of Skin Cancer Medicine

CPD

40 hrs Education
50 hrs Performance
31 hrs Outcome

Delivery

Fully online
Learn from
anywhere

Duration

115 hours
Self-paced
Start anytime

Overview

Round out your knowledge and learn how to manage rare and aggressive skin cancers and treat immune-suppressed patients.

Who it is for and what you will learn:

  • This course is perfect for advanced practitioners with prior training or experience in skin cancer medicine.

  • Presented by the world's leading skin cancer experts including Prof Harald Kittler (Austria), Prof Richard Usatine (USA), Prof Iris Zalaudek (Austria), Prof Luc Thomas (France), Prof Aimilios Lallas, and others.

  • This course is for physicians, nurse practitioners, and degree-qualified nurses.

  • CPD-accredited and university-assured.

Your education pathway

Professional Certificate

Establish foundational clinical knowledge and essential skills.

Learn more

Advanced Certificate

Develop advanced techniques and diagnostic capabilities.

Learn more

Professional Diploma

Master complex cases and achieve high-level clinical proficiency.

You are here

Learning outcomes

  • Learn about skin imaging, drug therapy, and studies of both melanoma and non-melanoma treatments.

  • Improve your diagnostic accuracy through advanced dermatopathology.

  • Learn about advanced preventive strategies like chemoprevention as proactive measures.

  • Manage skin cancer with cryosurgery/electrosurgery techniques and personalise treatment plans.

  • Gain the optimum knowledge required to manage primary care patients with a multitude of skin cancer concerns, including rare and complex cases.

  • Acquire advanced knowledge in dermoscopy, histopathology, topical treatments, and electro-surgery, making you a favourable referral option for your colleagues.

  • Get RPL with The University of Queensland or Torrens University.

Course contents

Topical treatments and lesion-directed treatments
Advance your knowledge in skin cancer management with our "Topical Treatments and Lesion-Directed Treatments" course. This comprehensive program equips healthcare professionals with the expertise to identify, diagnose, and treat actinic keratosis and other skin lesions effectively. Covering both topical and lesion-directed therapies, including cryotherapy, curettage, and 5-fluorouracil application, the course blends evidence-based approaches with practical techniques. With interactive case studies, clinical demonstrations, and the latest treatment insights, this course empowers practitioners to deliver optimised, patient-focused care.
Field treatments for skin cancer medicine
"Field Treatments for Skin Cancer Medicine" offers a comprehensive guide to managing actinic keratosis and keratinocyte skin cancers using field-directed therapies. This course provides evidence-based knowledge on various treatment modalities, their mechanisms, and clinical applications. Participants will gain insights into selecting the most appropriate treatments based on patient profiles, skin conditions, and treatment areas, with a focus on both efficacy and patient compliance.
Management of special cases in skin cancer medicine
The "Management of Special Cases in Skin Cancer Medicine" course equips medical professionals with the expertise to address complex scenarios in skin cancer treatment. Topics include managing immunosuppressed patients, genetic predispositions, rare syndromes, and challenges posed by specific body locations. The course is evidence-based, featuring clinical images, research insights, and case studies. Participants will develop skills to evaluate unique patient risks and apply advanced strategies for prevention, diagnosis, and management of skin cancer. This course offers an interactive and practical learning experience to enhance clinical outcomes in challenging skin cancer cases.
Chemoprevention in skin cancer medicine
"Chemoprevention in Skin Cancer Medicine" is a specialised course designed for healthcare professionals seeking to enhance their knowledge of preventative strategies against skin cancer. This comprehensive course explores the use of chemopreventive agents, including retinoids, NSAIDs, nicotinamide, and sunscreens, and their role in reducing the risk of melanoma and keratinocytic skin cancers. Participants will learn evidence-based approaches, supported by clinical data and dermoscopic imagery, to develop effective prevention plans for high-risk populations. Delivered by a leading expert, this course equips practitioners with the tools to mitigate skin cancer risks and improve patient outcomes.
Factors influencing the choice of treatment in skin cancer medicine
"Factors Influencing the Choice of Treatment in Skin Cancer Medicine" is a dynamic and evidence-based course designed for healthcare professionals managing skin cancer patients. This program explores diverse treatment modalities, including surgical and non-surgical options, focusing on tumour characteristics, patient factors, and treatment advancements. Participants will gain practical insights into managing basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and metastatic melanoma, alongside the crucial role of dermatopathology. With in-depth case discussions and best-practice guidelines, this course equips practitioners to make informed, personalised treatment decisions for optimal patient outcomes.
Cryosurgery and electrosurgery in skin cancer medicine
Advance your clinical skills in the treatment of skin cancer with this comprehensive course on cryosurgery and electrosurgery. Designed for medical professionals, it covers the principles, techniques, and practical applications of these essential procedures. Explore detailed approaches for managing premalignant and malignant lesions, including basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). Through case studies and clinical insights, this course offers evidence-based methods for optimising patient care. Learn to plan treatments, handle complications, and achieve superior outcomes with expert guidance from a leading dermatologist.
Merkel cell carcinoma and rare/aggressive melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancers
Explore the complexities of Merkel cell carcinoma and rare, aggressive skin cancers in this comprehensive course designed for medical professionals. Gain advanced knowledge of the clinical presentation, diagnosis, and management of these challenging malignancies, supported by evidence-based insights and real-life case studies. With guidance from leading experts, this course delves into histopathology, dermoscopy, and innovative treatment options for melanoma, non-melanoma skin cancers, and uncommon tumors. Enhance your diagnostic skills and patient outcomes with interactive discussions and practical assessments. Perfect for healthcare providers dedicated to mastering rare and aggressive skin conditions.
Skin imaging techniques
"Skin Imaging Techniques" is a specialized course designed for healthcare professionals to enhance their understanding of modern skin imaging technologies used for detecting melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancers. The course covers a range of techniques, including digital dermatoscopy, total body photography, reflectance confocal microscopy, and more experimental methods like optical coherence tomography. Participants will gain insights into the clinical applications, evidence, and cost-effectiveness of each technique, empowering them to make informed decisions about patient diagnosis, referral, and treatment options. This course is essential for professionals involved in skin cancer detection and management.

Meet your instructors

Dr Zoe Apalla Dr Zoe Apalla MD PhD
Dr Elvira Moscarella Dr Elvira Moscarella MD
Professor Luc Thomas Professor Luc Thomas MD PhD
Professor Harald Kittler Professor Harald Kittler MD
Professor Aimilios Lallas Live Tutorial Presenter Professor Aimilios Lallas MD PhD MSc
Professor Richard Usatine Professor Richard Usatine MD PhD
Assoc. Professor John Pyne Assoc. Professor John Pyne MBBS BOptom(Hons 1) MMed PhD FSCCA
Professor Philipp Tschandl Professor Philipp Tschandl MD PhD

Other ways to study this topic

Workshop

Complete your certificate online, then build practical skills in the accompanying optional hands-on workshop.

View workshop dates

Short courses

Study selected topics from this certificate as focused, standalone short courses for targeted upskilling in under 10 hours. 

Browse short courses

HealthCert 365

Access selected content from this certificate, plus 4,000+ hours of other CPD across a wide range of clinical areas.

Start free trial

CPD accreditation and course details

CPD Accreditation and Activities

Accredited CPD activities in this certificate

Each module in this certificate is an RACGP and ACRRM approved CPD activity. The certificate provides 50 hours of CPD for medical professionals in Australia.*

RACGP Activity Number ACRRM Activity Number Activity Title Education Hours Performance Hours
407600 39032 Topical treatments and lesion-directed treatments 4.0 6.0
407605 39033 Field treatments for skin cancer medicine 4.0 6.0
407607 39034 Management of special cases in skin cancer medicine 4.5 6.0
407608 39035 Chemoprevention in skin cancer medicine 4.0 6.0
1421383 39037 Factors influencing the choice of treatment in skin cancer medicine 4.5 6.0
407618 39038 Cryosurgery and electrosurgery in skin cancer medicine 4.5 6.0
407624 39039 Merkel cell carcinoma and rare/aggressive melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancers 4.0 6.0
1421411 39040 Skin imaging techniques 4.5 6.0
Total hours 34.0 48.0

View the CPD Hours for all HealthCert Education activities. 

Outcome measurement

The comprehensive, peer-reviewed clinical audit associated with this Professional Diploma provides the minimum annual CPD outcome measurement hours.

*See our FAQs for more information about annual CPD requirements.

Entry Requirements

The Professional Diploma of Skin Cancer Medicine is suitable for physicians, medical doctors, nurse practitioners, and degree-qualified nurses aiming to deepen their focus in the field of skin cancer. Participants must have completed the HealthCert Advanced Certificate of Skin Cancer Medicine (or a qualification deemed equivalent).

Participants do not have to pass an IELTS test but, as the courses are delivered in English, proficiency in listening, reading and writing English is assumed.

Participants will require access to a computer/laptop, an internet connection and a basic level of technology proficiency to access and navigate the online learning portal.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

Doctors who have completed The University of Queensland certificate courses in skin cancer medicine and therapeutics will gain credit into the professional diploma program, providing the relevant HealthCert assessment has been completed.

Doctors who have completed the Certificate in Primary Care Dermatology with the RACGP (modules 1-5) may complete the relevant HealthCert assessment for the Advanced Certificate in Skin Cancer Medicine and then progress to the Professional Diploma of Skin Cancer Medicine (please ask a HealthCert Education Advisor for the process). 

Further professionally recognised qualifications and prior studies may be recognised for entry into this course if the learning outcomes match exactly. Please ask a HealthCert Education Advisor for an individual assessment of your prior qualifications and experience.

Certification

This certificate course meets the minimum 50 hours CPD annual requirement across all three mandatory CPD activity types.

Upon successful completion of the course requirements, course participants will receive the Professional Diploma of Skin Cancer Medicine and CPD hours. 

This certificate course:

  • Quality-assured by Bond University.

  • Qualifies for CPD hours from the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP).

  • Qualifies for CPD hours from the Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine (ACRRM).

  • Is recognised by the Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners (RNZCGP).

  • Is recognised by the Hong Kong College of Family Physicians (HKCFP). The HKCFP recognises all courses endorsed by the RACGP. Hours are calculated differently.

  • Is a self-submitted activity in Dubai. The number of CPD hours must be stated on the certificate. Please contact PLD@dhcr.gov.ae for more information.

  • Is a self-submitted activity in the UK. CPD events overseas, applicable to a doctor’s scope of practice, may be submitted for revalidation. Please confirm with your Responsible Officer.

  • Is a self-submitted activity in Canada through the College of Family Physicians of Canada. Contact mainprocredits@cfpc.ca for more information.

  • Qualifies for a clinical attachment in France at the University of Lyon.

  • Qualifies for a clinical attachment in Austria at the University of Vienna.

  • Meets World Federation of Medical Education standards.

  • Has been independently developed with subject experts and does not receive education grants from any pharmaceutical company.

Australia-based course participants, please note that HealthCert certificates are not accredited by TEQSA or ASQA and do not fall within the Australian Qualification Framework. All HealthCert certificates are professional development awards, accredited by RACGP, ACRRM and RNZCGP.

To learn more about the delivery of certificates in Australia and overseas, please visit our FAQs.

Pathways

Professional Diploma Pathway

This course is the final stage of the three-part professional diploma pathway. The full pathway is Professional Certificate of Skin Cancer Medicine, Advanced Certificate of Skin Cancer Medicine, and Professional Diploma of Skin Cancer Medicine. 

Postgraduate pathways

Graduates of the HealthCert Professional Diploma of Skin Cancer Medicine may apply for a scholarship to an online Master degree from our partner in the UK. HealthCert recommends the MSc in Dermatology in Clinical Practice which is awarded by University of Buckingham. Please contact our UK partner directly regarding this scholarship: https://www.diploma-msc.com/s/healthcert

RPL with The University of Queensland

The Professional Diploma of Skin Cancer Medicine provides RPL for the unit IMED7010, part of the Graduate Certificate of Medicine (Skin Cancer) which is the first step in the Master of Medicine (Skin Cancer) at The University of Queensland and provides a saving on fees. View The University of Queensland, Master of Medicine (Skin Cancer) program. 

Master of Medicine (Skin Cancer)
Doctors who complete the HealthCert Professional Diploma programs in Dermoscopy, Skin Cancer Medicine and Skin Cancer Surgery can receive RPL for the units IMED7002, IMED7010, and IMED7011, which are high-level subjects in the Master of Medicine (Skin Cancer) at The University of Queensland. The Master of Medicine is open only to registered medical practitioners with at least two years' postgraduate experience. IMED7010 is also a part of the Graduate Certificate Medicine (Skin Cancer); if a student (with two years' postgraduate clinical experience) who isn’t a registered medical practitioner has completed the HealthCert Skin Cancer Medicine pathway and the UQ units IMED7001, IMED7002, and IMED7003, they can receive the Graduate Certificate. View The University of Queensland, Master of Medicine (Skin Cancer) program.

Please note, only HealthCert Education qualifications completed within the last ten years can be recognised. Credit is assessed on an individual basis and is not guaranteed. If you are considering continuing your studies at UQ, we encourage you to speak with a HealthCert Education Advisor before enrolling. They can explain the current RPL process and help you understand the available credit pathways.

RPL with Torrens University

This postgraduate pathway is for General Practitioners and degree-qualified medical practitioners who have successfully completed a HealthCert Professional Diploma (all three levels) in Skin Cancer Medicine, Skin Cancer Surgery or Dermoscopy. The following postgraduate course is offered entirely online through Torrens University: Master of Business Administration (MBA). Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) is available for two general electives for any HealthCert Professional Diploma. In cases where a HealthCert alumni has completed two Professional Diplomas, they will be able to apply for four general electives towards the MBA. This will be helpful to further develop business, management and leadership capabilities. Please apply directly to Torrens University. 

Postgraduate Diploma in Dermatology (UK)

The Postgraduate Diploma in Dermatology is studied through the Rila Institute of Health Sciences and awarded by the University of Plymouth (UK).

There are three modules in the Postgraduate Diploma. Medical professionals who successfully complete the HealthCert Professional Certificate of Skin Cancer Medicine, Advanced Certificate of Skin Cancer Medicine and Professional Diploma of Skin Cancer Medicine will be eligible to apply for Accreditation of Prior Certified Learning (APCL) for module 3.

The Postgraduate Diploma is mainly delivered online. No practical workshops will be required due to the APCL from the HealthCert qualifications. Overall there will be a time saving of 40 per cent of the postgraduate program due to the APCL. Exams will be held in Perth, Western Australia.

When the Postgraduate Diploma has been successfully completed, medical professionals can apply for credit from the Postgraduate Diploma to the Master of Science in the specialism awarded by the University of Plymouth.

Certified Clinical Attachments Pathway

Clinical attachments are optional and available on a 1:1 or small group basis. These provide the opportunity to observe skin cancer medicine treatments and ask questions of the expert performing the treatments. In addition to clinical attachments in Australia, university teaching hospitals at the University of Lyon and the University of Vienna are available for clinical attachments. HealthCert certificates and university statements are awarded for participating in clinical attachments.

The Medical University of Vienna is the largest medical organisation in Austria, as well as one of the top-level research institutions in Europe and provides Europe's largest hospital, the Vienna General Hospital, with all of its medical staff. The Vienna General Hospital has about 100,000 patients treated as inpatients and 605,000 treated as outpatients each year.

The dominant areas of study covered by The Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1 are science and medicine. Attached to the university are the "Hospices civils de Lyon" including the "Centre Hospitalier Lyon Sud", which is the largest teaching hospital in the Rhône-Alpes region and second largest in France. Out of the 2,630 faculty, 700 are also medical practitioners at local teaching hospitals.

University quality-assured and CPD-accredited education provider

This organisation is an RACGP-accredited CPD provider under the RACGP CPD Program.

RACGP logo
ACRRM logo
AMA
Bond-Sep-09-2026-05-46-43-7981-AM
Griffith
IDS-1
Graz
Vienna
University of South Wales
Torrens
NSCC-2
Rila
UQ logo

Frequently asked questions

What are the costs and payment options of the course?

Fees will vary based on the program and study option selected (fully online vs online + optional practical workshop). Payments can be made upfront or in monthly instalments. Special rates and various payment options are available. GP registrars and doctors in training enjoy a scholarship of up to $500. Talk to us to learn more.

What is the Alumni Support Program?

Completion of any HealthCert course or attendance at an event will enable you to access the HealthCert Alumni Program which includes:

  • Access to special alumni rates for new courses when they are released.

  • Special alumni price for HealthCert Conferences.

  • Exclusive advanced access to HealthCert events.

  • Regular Alumni Webinars pertaining to the course(s) you have attended. These will provide content review of the course and an opportunity to discuss case studies.

  • Access to the video lectures as seen during the course(s) that you have attended.

How will I receive my certificate?

HealthCert Education is pleased to issue digital credentials for alumni. Digital credentials are a permanent online record of your successful completion of a HealthCert course and are issued to all course participants in addition to PDF certificates. If you are based in Australia, you also have the option to order a hard copy of your digital certificate for a small additional fee.

How long will the course take to complete?

The recommended study duration of this certificate course is listed at the top of this page. The estimated duration includes study of the pre-course activities and readings, online lectures, live tutorials, and online assessment. This self-paced course offers the flexibility of 100% online study in your own time, at your own pace, in your own home or office, with no mandatory face-to-face requirements. You are not required to be online at specific times but can view and replay video lectures at your convenience.

Is this course recognised in my country?

All HealthCert courses meet World Federation of Medical Education standards. This certificate course qualifies for CPD hours from the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) and the Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine (ACRRM) in Australia. It is recognised by the Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners (RNZCGP) in New Zealand. It is recognised by the Hong Kong College of Family Physicians (HKCFP) in China. It is a self-submitted activity in Dubai and the United Kingdom. It is a self-submitted activity through the College of Family Physicians in Canada. If you live or work outside one of the above-mentioned countries, please contact us on admin@healthcert.com to discuss whether this course can be recognised in your country.

Cancellation policy: What happens if I can't attend a practical workshop?

Course/workshop cancellations and transfers policy

Should you be unable to attend a course or practical workshop you have registered for, please inform us asap at admin@healthcert.com so we can make your place available to waitlisted doctors.

Charges may apply for course/workshop cancellations and/or transfers. Click here for details.

What our alumni say

Join thousands of doctors who have advanced their clinical practice with our certificate courses.

Get in touch with us

Our Education Advisors can assist you with any queries and tailor your education pathway to suit your current expertise, interests and career goals.

Richard - 1

Richard Silsby

Campbel Elton

Campbell Elton

Loretta Blackborough-1

Loretta Blackborough

Adam De Barros__1

Adam De Barros

Jules Wynyard edit circle (1)

Jules Wynyard