Master of Mental Health Practice

Graduates of the Master of Mental Health Practice will have advanced knowledge in the field of mental health including:

1. the history, theoretical constructs and practice implications of a recovery-oriented approach when working with mental health consumers and carers
2. evidence related to prevalence, patterns, interactions, risks and outcomes for people experiencing complex mental health and comorbid conditions
3. methods relevant to research and evaluation in clinical and community settings and to critique and integrate research findings into practice.

In this degree, focused on a rapidly evolving healthcare area, you will acquire specialised knowledge and understanding of how to work effectively with people with a mental illness, their carers and family members. As well as accessing highly relevant courses based on the latest evidence-based research and collaboration with consumers, carers and mental health professionals, you can choose to undertake a 200 hour placement in a mental health service.

Within a flexible online learning environment, you will study with fellow students from different professional backgrounds who bring a range of valued perspectives. Our recovery-based courses are designed for workers in various settings where mental health knowledge is essential. These include nursing, occupational therapy, psychology and social work, in roles as community support workers, peer support workers, consumer and carer consultants, rehabilitation workers, disability workers, housing officers, police liaison officers and people working in other mental health support roles.

It is anticipated that successful graduates of the Master of Mental Health Practice will enhance their opportunities for advancement in the mental health area. For some practitioners this program may also be used towards accreditation as a mental health worker. Please check with your registration body for program eligibility.

Recommended study pattern

This program is offered full-time or part-time Online only. There is no requirement for on-campus attendance and access to a reliable computer with Internet access is essential. Students may choose to complete work-integrated learning in 7048HSV Professional Practice (which has on-site requirements), but it is not compulsory.

Award requirements

For the award of Master of Mental Health Practice (MMentHPrac), you must successfully Complete 120 credit points for one of the following:

• 120 credit points for all Pathway 1 - duration 1 year (80CP of study and 40CP for prior learning), or
• 120 credit points for all Pathway 2 - duration 1.5 years (120CP of study - related degree), or
• 120 credit points for all Pathway 3 - duration 1.5 years (120CP of study - any degree)

Exit points

To be eligible to exit with the 4171 - Graduate Diploma of Mental Health Practice award, you must acquire 80 credit points from courses listed in the program.

The Graduate Diploma exit point is not available to students admitted to the Masters program Pathway 1 - 1 year program (80CP) related degree and work experience or related Graduate Certificate.

To exit, you should apply for a program transfer.

Open Universities Australia is a not-for-profit organisation. You will not pay any fees for using our services.

Indicative total fee $24,000

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.

With a network of campuses spanning three cities in South East Queensland, Griffith University is committed to progressive multidisciplinary teaching and research and a valuable online provider with Open Universities Australia. Already attracting students from over one hundred countries, Griffith's dedication to academic excellence is available across Australia through OUA.

Learn more about Griffith University.

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QS World University Ranking 2025, within Australia:

18

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21

To be eligible for admission to the Master of Mental Health Practice, you must have one of:

Pathway 1 - 1 year program (80CP) - related Bachelor AND relevant experience or related Graduate Certificate: 

• A recognised Bachelor degree (or higher) in a *related discipline with a minimum grade point average of 4.0 using a 7.0 scale; AND a minimum 2 years full-time (or equivalent) relevant ^professional experience; OR  
• A Griffith Graduate Certificate in Case Management and Mental Health (or equivalent) with a minimum grade point average of 4.0 using a 7.0 scale. 

Pathway 2 - 1.5 year program (120CP) - related Bachelor:

• A recognised Bachelor degree (or higher) in a *related discipline with a minimum grade point average of 4.0 using a 7.0 scale. 

Pathway 3 - 1.5 year program (120CP) - any Bachelor: 

• A recognised Bachelor degree (or higher) in any discipline with a minimum grade point average of 4.0 using a 7.0 scale. 

*Related disciplines include: health/allied health discipline such as nursing, social work, psychology, occupational therapy, pharmacy, speech pathology, medicine, dentistry, or other human services field 

 ^Relevant professional experience includes: mental health, disability, rehabilitation or related human services settings.

A higher qualification refers to a qualification at a higher level than a Bachelor qualification, which includes any of the following: a Bachelor Honours Degree; Graduate Certificate, Graduate Diploma, Masters Degree, MPhil or PhD.  

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 program are as follows:

• A minimum overall band score of 6.5 on IELTS (Academic) with no sub-score of less than 6.0
• OR a minimum score of 575 on TOEFL
• OR an internet-based (iBT) TOEFL score of 79 (no sub-score less than 19)
• OR no score less than 3+ in each skill of the ISLPR (conducted by ISLPR Language Services only)
• ORa minimum overall score of 176 (no score less than 169) on C1 Advanced (formerly Cambridge Certificate in Advanced English) or C2 Proficiency (formerly Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English)
• OR an overall score of 58 in the Pearson Test of English (Academic) with no score less than 50.

English test results must be no more than two years old.

The Direct Entry Program (DEP) pathway is not accepted for this program.

Reduce the time it takes to finish your degree. You can apply to Griffith to recognise your prior learning, including:

• Formal learning through courses completed at uni and TAFE.
• Informal learning through workplace experience or volunteer training.
• Non-formal learning through social experiences and hobbies.

There are placements associated with this program and before undertaking professional experience placements, all students in this program are required to have completed the following by the end of their first trimester of study:

• Vaccinations and Health Tests
• Licenses and Certificates
• Online Training
• Health Placement Requirements

Students should refer to the checklist of professional practice requirements for their Health discipline on the Health Placement Support Hub for full details of the requirements regarding professional placement to ensure that they meet eligibility for placement.

Work-integrated learning activities (professional placements) integrate theoretical learning with its application in the workplace. The inclusion of work-integrated learning activities in the degree program demonstrates Griffith's commitment to preparing its graduates for success in their working life.

Students may choose to complete work-integrated learning in 7048HSV Professional Practice, but it is not compulsory.