Graduate Diploma in Mental Health Nursing

Upon successful completion, Master of Mental Health Nursing students should be able to:

• LO1: describe advanced mental health nursing clinical knowledge, skill and clinical leadership which is informed by evidence-based practice;
• LO2: synthesise and evaluate complex clinical information, problems and concepts and demonstrate mastery of theoretical knowledge to reflect critically on theory as it applies to mental health care settings;
• LO3: Implement a range of advanced evidence-based clinical knowledge and skills to respond to challenges and opportunities that arise within the dynamic context of the wider health care setting and promote current best practice in mental health nursing care provision that responds to emerging and unique needs.

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.

Recommended study pattern

To qualify for the degree of Graduate Diploma in Mental Health Nursing, a student must complete 80 cp from the Schedule of Unit offerings comprising:

Project Stream:

i. 40 cp from Specified Mental Health Nursing Units (Part A)

ii. 40 cp from Project Stream Units (Part B)

OR

Research Stream:

i. 40 cp from Specified Mental Health Nursing Units (Part A)

ii. 40 cp from Research Stream Units (Part C)

Award requirements

To qualify for the degree of Graduate Diploma in Mental Health Nursing, a student must complete 80 cp from the Schedule of Unit offerings.

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Indicative total fee $6,756

The amounts shown here are indicative for an Australian citizen studying full-time, which is typically 8 subjects per year.

Fees may vary depending on:

• the subjects you choose
• credit from previous work experience
• your eligibility for government funding loans or subsidies such as HECS-HELP or a Commonwealth supported place.

To learn more, go to Fees or contact a student advisor.

Established in 1991 after amalgamating four eastern Australian Catholic tertiary institutes, Australian Catholic University now has seven campuses, from Brisbane to Melbourne and welcomes students of all beliefs. Specialising in arts, business, education, health sciences, law, theology and philosophy, ACU encourages its students to think critically and ethically and bring change to their communities and offer this online through Open Universities Australia.

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QS World University Ranking 2025, within Australia:

35

Times Higher Education World University Ranking 2025, within Australia:

26

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;

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.

If your prior study or relevant work experience has provided you with knowledge, skills or experience aligned with the learning outcomes of units in your new course, you may be eligible to gain credit for study or have your prior learning recognised. This means you may be able to complete your ACU course in a shorter timeframe.