Southern Cross University’s online Master of Mental Health postgraduate course will enhance your understanding of mental health and psychology while building the skills needed to effectively respond to patients experiencing mild, moderate and severe mental health challenges.
This program is designed to prepare graduates for work within a range of health settings and disciplines. You will gain practical skills and specialised theoretical knowledge to extend or enhance your role in mental health.
- Gain immediately implementable skills
- Course material is current and comprehensive
- Become a well-rounded mental health care provider
- Learn from clinically experienced mental health academics
- Dedicated, one-on-one support
- Flexible online learning environment
- Affordable fees, FEE-HELP available
To gain your online Master of Mental Health degree, you will complete 11 core units and 1 elective unit. Coursework develops the skills required to effectively respond to challenges across a diverse range of mental health fields.
Core units
- Contemporary Mental Health
- Mental Health Across the Lifespan
- Mental Health in Community, Non-government and Primary Health Settings
- Acute Mental Health
- Leading Evidence-based Practice in Health
- Physical Healthcare in Mental Health
- Supporting Behaviour Change in Mental Health Contexts
- Building a Professional Portfolio
- Applied Leadership in Mental Health Clinical Practice
- Developing Skills in Contemporary Psychotherapies
- Discovery and Enquiry in Health: The Critical Literature Review
Electives
- Envisioning Health Systems, Policies and Practices
- Contemporary Health Leadership
- Leading Change in Healthcare
- Governance and Accountability in Healthcare
- Social and Emotional Competence in the Workplace
- Effective Teaching and Supervision in Healthcare
- The Positive Leader
- Digital Marketing
- Organisational Change and Development
- Human Resource Management
- Organisational Behaviour
- Project Management Principles
- Accounting for Managers
- Management Communication
If you need to exit early, you could still receive a Graduate Certificate in Mental Health or a Graduate Diploma of Mental Health.
To qualify for entry into the Mental Health Masters program, all applicants must:
- Have successfully completed a Bachelor qualification, or equivalent, in a health, psychology or social science-related discipline, and;
- Be proficient in English.
If you are a registered nurse, you could also be eligible for the Master of Mental Health Nursing degree.
SCU may recognise and grant credit for past education, qualifications and/or work experience in a process called advanced standing. If you're eligible for advanced standing, this can impact the number of units you need to study, reducing the time and cost of your overall degree.
- Holistic mental health treatment
Lay the foundation with skills and knowledge needed to be a well-rounded mental health professional.
- Contemporary mental health focus
Learn from clinically active academics and gain a contemporary understanding of emerging trends in mental health care.
- Develop an evidence-based practice
Develop skills through evidence-based theories and knowledge that can be applied immediately in practice or hospital setting.
2023 academic year student fees shown are subject to change. You may also be required to pay student amenities fees. Contact the university directly to confirm.
Fees shown are per unit. The number of units are listed below fees. Together they indicate the total fees for the course.
FEE-HELP loans are available to assist eligible full-fee paying domestic students with the cost of a university course.

- Study Mode: Online
- 24 months (part-time)
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$2,580 per unit FEE HELP available
- 12 units
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Start Date: Jan, Mar, Apr, July, Sep, Nov