Two years of accelerated part-time study.
Please note, some locations may not have all intake periods available. See the full availability details for further information.
Do you want to make a difference to the way mental health services are designed, funded and delivered in Australia? This course is designed specifically for allied health and social care professionals who wish to increase their employment outcomes, particularly in mental health leadership and management roles.
This new course responds to contemporary mental health research and policy and has been designed with the input of leading clinical and academic mental health professionals.
Undertaking this course will enhance your clinical capabilities and theoretical knowledge of both current and future mental health practice, for the benefit of mental health consumers, your professional discipline and yourself.
Each unit runs for seven weeks with six study periods per year and the course is offered exclusively online.
Do you want to make a difference to the way mental health services are designed, funded and delivered in Australia? This course is designed specifically for allied health and social care professionals who wish to increase their employment outcomes, particularly in mental health leadership and management roles.
This new course responds to contemporary mental health research and policy and has been designed with the input of leading clinical and academic mental health professionals.
Undertaking this course will enhance your clinical capabilities and theoretical knowledge of both current and future mental health practice, for the benefit of mental health consumers, your professional discipline and yourself.
Each unit runs for seven weeks with six study periods per year and the course is offered exclusively online.
Current Southern Cross students – to access your official course details for the year you started your degree, please visit the handbook.
See the University’s Rules Relating to Awards, in conjunction with the Specific Award Rules listed below.
A Bachelor degree or equivalent in a health, psychology or social science related discipline; OR
A Bachelor degree or equivalent, with evidence of extensive experience in the mental health field, deemed as equivalent to a cognate degree.
English language requirements apply to International applicants and other applicants whose previous study was undertaken in a language other than English. The minimum English language requirements for such applicants for entry to this course are as follows
| Category | Score |
|---|---|
| Overall | 6.5 |
| Listening | minimum 6.0 |
| Speaking | minimum 6.0 |
| Reading | minimum 6.0 |
| Writing | minimum 6.0 |
Core units focus on contemporary mental health theory and practice, physical healthcare needs, evidence-based case formulation and common interventions within acute care contexts, in primary mental health as well contemporary applications of developmental psychology and psychological therapies.
You will also choose an elective from a diverse range of subjects that include leadership, management, human resources and organisational issues in mental health settings.
Domestic students
| Location | Study Period |
|---|---|
| SCU Online | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 |
International students
| Location | Study Period | Annual Fees | CRICOS |
|---|---|---|---|
| SCU Online | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 | $24,000 ($3,000 per unit) | N/A |
Applications for this course are made directly to Southern Cross University via our online application service.
Applications are not available for 2020. Please select a different year above or see Course Options for courses currently offered.
Outstanding ratings of 'at world standard' or above in 23 research fields.
Excellence in Research Australia (ERA) 2018
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Times Higher Education Young University Rankings 2020
5-Star Student Support across undergraduate and postgraduate studies
Good Universities Guide 2021
Course Learning Outcomes express learning achievement in terms of what a student should know, understand and be able to do on completion of a course. These outcomes are aligned with the graduate attributes.
| Course Learning Outcome |
|---|
Critically evaluates and integrates models of treatment relevant to the care continuum, to inform co-constructed personalized care strategies which meet the consumer’s life needs as well as health needs. Generates/translates novel information or theories, making a substantial contribution to the discipline through scholarly activities. |
Engages creatively in therapeutic relationships with mental health consumers their families and significant others, which are characterized by co-construction of care and collaborative engagement. Critically appraises the nature and extent of influences (social, political, economic and organizational) to overcome constraints in negotiation of options for clinical interventions. |
Advocates for mental health consumers, challenging discrimination and public discourse, minimising stigma through the use of positive portrayal and working toward social inclusion and independence. Interrogates and challenges the concepts of risk and safety from the basis of consumer centred care considering social protection, legal, moral and ethical principles to balance risk in recovery. |
Exercises expert/enhanced clinical judgement and decision-making and insight in novel situations in specialist mental health disciplines in pursuit of optimal consumer outcomes. Negotiates and executes the role of chosen mental health discipline in a multidisciplinary and multi-professional approach. |
Consistently demonstrates a high level of autonomy, accountability, adaptability and responsibility in self-directed work and learning. Engages in and leads others in collaborative critical reflection on clinical practice and achievement of lifelong learning outcomes. |
Develops and maintains partnerships in care (individually and with groups) with mental health consumers and their families which focuses on the recipient of care, the person’s right to choice and self-determination, and the person’s inherent capacity for recovery. Consistently and judiciously uses information technology, compelling and authoritative written and verbal communications. |
Respects individual worldviews and enhances their own critical thinking to lead others in challenging assumptions underpinning worldviews. Adjusts clinical practices to incorporate consumer’s cultural perspectives into mental health planning and interventions. |
Assessments in this course include written essays, shorter critical reflections and developing holistic consumer focussed care plans based on evidenced based practice. Weekly activities, readings and case studies are laid out with step-by-step instructions that are specifically designed to support you toward the successful completion of the assessment tasks.
This course is offered one unit at a time, with each unit running for seven weeks. The course is completely online and hence offers flexibility for you to fit your study within other life commitments. Each adult student brings with them valuable knowledge and experience. Consequently, the online platform and course design encourages you to read or view learning materials and then collaborate, discuss and debate ideas with fellow students and lecturers. Our multi-modal approach delivers content including video, audio and written materials are deigned to extend your mental health practice capabilities.
This course offers the opportunity to expand and refresh your current health or social care careers or more easily enter a career in the field of mental health.
To be eligible to receive the Master of Mental Health, students must complete the equivalent of 12 units (144 credit points), comprising:
Exit Awards
Students may be eligible to exit with the Graduate Diploma of Mental Health after completing the equivalent of 8 units (96 credit points), comprising the first 8 core units.
Students may be eligible to exit with the Graduate Certificate in Mental Health after completing the equivalent of 4 units (48 credit points), comprising any 4 of the first 8 core units.