Graduate Diploma in Mental Health Nursing
Course information for - 2024 entry
- Duration
- 1 year full-time or equivalent part-time
- Fees (first year)*
$6488 CSP
- Start dates
- ACU Term 1 - Mon 29 Jan, ACU Term 3 - Mon 15 July
Commonwealth Supported Places are available for this course. See the course costs section below, under Fees.
Overview
Building on the Graduate Certificate in Mental Health Nursing, the Graduate Diploma offers units in healthcare ethics, leadership, and a unit interpreting health research. An understanding of evidence-based practice and different research approaches is fundamental to research inquiry and is essential to enable postgraduate students to critically evaluate research literature, and to undertake health inquiry, workplace projects or health research. In addition, the Graduate Diploma offers a specified unit in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, an intervention of choice in contemporary mental health service delivery and is an effective treatment option.
Current mental health postgraduate programs in Australia focus on either acute mental health care settings or generic mental health. ACU’s Master of Mental Health Nursing has been developed specifically for nursing clinicians entering into the specialist area of mental health. The course is targeted to new nursing graduates and to those working in mental health but who have no formal postgraduate mental health qualifications.
In the current period of mental health service provision reform, there has been a shift in focus from acute inpatient treatment to recovery-oriented practice, so the workforce requires professional development opportunities to keep pace with such changes.
Commonwealth Supported Places are available for this course. See the course costs section below, under Fees.
Burning Glass data shows there were 1,539 job postings in Australia between July 2021 and June 2022 for Registered Nurses (Mental Health) and of these 10.9% required a postgraduate qualification (Burning Glass Labour Insights, 19 July 2022).
Professional experience
Students entering this course must provide written confirmation that they are employed in a mental health service.
Professional recognition
This course meets the requirements of a postgraduate qualification for employment beyond entry level in mental health settings and for credentialing as a mental health nurse.
Accreditation
This course is currently accredited under the Australian College of Mental Health Nurses (ACMHN) National Framework for Postgraduate Mental Health Nursing Education.
Careers
Graduates will be able to apply their theoretical and practical learning in a range of mental health settings.
Examples of potential employment settings include:
- public and private health care organisations
- child and adolescent, adult and older person mental health services
- acute, community, rehabilitation and long term care focused settings
- local, state and commonwealth government policy
- consumer and carer groups
- mental health based research
Examples of potential employment roles include:
- clinician
- case manager/worker
- team leader
- service manager
- triage manager
- psychiatric consultation and liaison nurse
- nurse practitioner
Industry partnerships
ACU has existing partnerships and agreements with significant health services nationally. This includes (but not limited to) Catholic partners (e.g, St Vincent's mental health, St John of God), and other major tertiary hospitals (e.g., Royal Melbourne Hospital, Queensland Health, Local Health District NSW etc.). These partnerships are important for strengthening of the mental health nursing workforce which is under particular stress presently.
Course details
Course structure
To complete the Graduate Diploma in Mental Health Nursing, 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 Mental Health Nursing may exit with the relevant award.
Entry requirements
To be eligible for admission to the Graduate Diploma in Mental Heath Nursing course, an applicant must:
a) have completed a Bachelor of Nursing degree (or higher); OR have completed the Graduate Certificate in Mental Health Nursing, or equivalent;
AND
b) provide written confirmation from their employer that they are employed in a mental health service.
An applicant must also comply with the Admission to Coursework Programs Policy.
Disclaimer: The course entry requirements above are for 2024 Admission.
View transparency admission information
Applicants with higher education study
An applicant must also comply with the Admission to Coursework Programs Policy .
To be eligible for admission to the course, an applicant must :
a. have completed a Bachelor of Nursing degree (or higher); OR have completed the Graduate Diploma in Mental Health Nursing or the Graduate Certificate in Mental Health Nursing or equivalent;
AND
b. provide written confirmation from their employer that they are employed in a mental health service.
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).
Articulation arrangements
Applicants who have completed an ACU Graduate Certificate in Mental Health Nursing, can articulate into a Graduate Diploma of Mental Health Nursing. Applicants who have completed an ACU Graduate Diploma of Mental Health Nursing can articulate into a Master of Mental Health Nursing.
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 the course or unit. Learn more about inherent requirements and how they affect you, and explore the requirements for your course.
Pathways
Pathways into course for applicants with previous study and/or life experience
Usual university credit and RPL processes apply.
Further study
Graduates may progress to a Master of Mental Health Nursing or other postgraduate programs within ACU.
Fees
Course costs
$6488 CSP
All costs are calculated using current rates and are based on a study load of 40 credit points (normally 4 units) per year.
A student’s annual fee may vary in accordance with:
- the number of units studied per semester;
- 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, 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
Applicants of Mental Health are required to complete and upload the Statement of Employment form with their application.
Deferment
Deferment is available for one year. Students must meet employment at the point of commencing studies. Find out more about deferment.
Testimonial
“I found the postgraduate support and guidance from ACU to be of an exceptional standard. The staff were experienced, contemporary in their knowledge and were able to apply both practice and theory to real clinical scenarios to assist us in better understanding the changing world of mental health nursing.”