Master of Mental Health

Course information for - 2024 entry

Duration
1.5 years 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

Overview

Expanding on units undertaken in the Graduate Certificate and Graduate Diploma of Mental Health, the Master of Mental Health aims to expand health clinicians’ knowledge and skills in mental health practice and leadership through evidence-based knowledge and practice. Students have the option to pursue a project stream or a research stream within this course. As such, they may complete either a project and two elective subjects, or complete a research dissertation in their final semester. The research stream has a PhD articulation pathway.

Both streams consolidate learning from the Graduate Certificate in Mental Health and Graduate Diploma in Mental Health in research, specialist clinical skills and knowledge as well as clinical leadership.

Commonwealth Supported Places are available for this course. See the Courses costs section below, under Fees.

Professional recognition

This course meets the requirements of a postgraduate qualification for employment beyond entry level in mental health settings.

Accreditation

The Nursing stream of 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 workforce which is under particular stress presently.

Course details

Course structure

Course map

Open all

Please note: Course maps are subject to change.

Commencing ACU Term 1 - Project Stream (Full-time)

  • Specified Mental Health UnitsHLSC650Recovery Oriented Mental Health10 cp
  • Specified Mental Health UnitsHLSC651Holistic Individual Centred Mental Health Practice10 cp
  • Specified Mental Health UnitsHLSC652Health Promotion and Social Inclusion10 cp
  • Specified Mental Health UnitsHLSC655Reflective Practice and Clinical Supervision in Mental Health10 cp
  • Project Stream UnitsHLSC640Interpreting Health Research10 cp
  • Project Stream UnitsPHIL623Healthcare Ethics: Principles in Practice10 cp
  • Project Stream UnitsHLSC605Leadership in Health Care10 cp
  • Project Stream UnitsHLSC657Cognitive Behaviour Therapy10 cp

All units are delivered in Online Unscheduled mode.

Prerequisites (Pre:) are other units that you must have passed before enrolling in the unit.

Commencing ACU Term 1 - Project Stream (Part-time)

All units are delivered in Online Unscheduled mode.

Prerequisites (Pre:) are other units that you must have passed before enrolling in the unit.

Commencing ACU Term 1 - Research Stream (Full-time)

All units are delivered in Online Unscheduled mode.

Prerequisites (Pre:) are other units that you must have passed before enrolling in the unit.

Commencing ACU Term 1 - Research Stream (Part-time)

All units are delivered in Online Unscheduled mode.

Prerequisites (Pre:) are other units that you must have passed before enrolling in the unit.

Commencing ACU Term 3 - Project Stream (Full-time)

All units are delivered in Online Unscheduled mode.

Prerequisites (Pre:) are other units that you must have passed before enrolling in the unit.

Commencing ACU Term 3 - Project Stream (Part-time)

All units are delivered in Online Unscheduled mode.

Prerequisites (Pre:) are other units that you must have passed before enrolling in the unit.

Commencing ACU Term 3 - Research Stream (Full-time)

All units are delivered in Online Unscheduled mode.

Prerequisites (Pre:) are other units that you must have passed before enrolling in the unit.

Commencing ACU Term 3 - Research Stream (Part-time)

All units are delivered in Online Unscheduled mode.

Prerequisites (Pre:) are other units that you must have passed before enrolling in the unit.

Graduate statement

Insight

As an ACU graduate you have personal insight founded on an understanding of who you are as a professional, a citizen and a scholar. You embrace change and growth through critical self-awareness and learning autonomy. You are empowered to seek truth and meaning, drawing on the principles of justice, equity, and the dignity of all human beings.

Empathy

As an ACU graduate you value human dignity and diversity. This appreciation is founded on deep reflection, and empathy. You have experience of Indigenous Knowings and perspectives and can engage respectfully when working alongside Australia's First Peoples. You can connect with people and cultures and work with community in ways that recognise the dignity of the human person and all cultures

Imagination

As an ACU graduate you utilise imagination and innovation to solve problems. You critically analyse information from a range of sources to creatively solve practical problems and use critical thinking to make decisions and advance the common good. You appreciate the role of innovation and creative thinking in developing a better future for each person and community.

Impact

As an ACU graduate you recognise your responsibility to work for social justice and a sustainable world founded on a commitment to human dignity and the common good. You lead change through respectful collaboration and effective communication of ideas to diverse peoples, groups and communities in local and global contexts. You are empowered to positively impact your profession and the community.

AQF framework

Masters (Coursework) - AQF Level 9

Exit Points

A student who has completed the requirements for the Graduate Certificate in Mental Health or the Graduate Diploma in Mental Health may exit with the relevant award.

Entry requirements

To be eligible for admission to the Master of Mental Health course, an applicant must have completed:

a) a bachelor degree in a health discipline;

OR

b) the Graduate Diploma in Mental Health or the Graduate Certificate in Mental Health, or equivalent.

An applicant must also comply with the Admission to Coursework Programs Policy .

Disclaimer: The course entry requirements above are for 2024 Admission.

Applicants with higher education study

To be eligible for admission to the course, an applicant must :

a) have completed a Bachelor degree in a Health Discipline;

OR

b) have completed the Graduate Diploma in Mental Health or the Graduate Certificate in Mental Health, or equivalent.

An applicant must also comply with the Admission to Coursework Programs Policy.

English language requirements

You will need to comply with the Admission to Coursework Programs Policy, including the English Language Proficiency requirements. 

See the language requirements 

Articulation arrangements

Applicants who have completed an ACU Graduate Certificate in Mental Health, can articulate into a Graduate Diploma of Mental Health. Applicants who have completed an ACU Graduate Diploma of Mental Health can articulate into a Master of Mental Health.

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

Students who complete the research pathway are eligible to undertake PhD studies upon application.

Fees

Course costs

Average first year fee*

$6488 CSP

Commonwealth Supported Places are available to commencing students only.

All costs are calculated using current rates and are based on a full-time study load of 40 credit points (normally 4 units) per semester.

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.

A 10% rebate on fees will be offered to domestic ACU graduates (from any faculty) enrolling in full fee-paying postgraduate studies in the Faculty of Health Sciences. Conditions apply.

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. 

Explore your options 

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.  

Search our scholarships  

Apply for this course

ACU Online Applicants

Deferment

Deferment is available for one year. Students must meet employment at the point of commencing studies. Find out more about deferment.

 

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