Adelaide University
Graduate Diploma in Addiction and Mental Health
- Delivery: Online
- Study Level: Postgraduate
- Duration: 12 months
Explore culturally sensitive, ethical and person-centred approaches to care.
Course overview
Unravel the complex relationship between addiction and mental illness and explore person-centred approaches to care in our Graduate Diploma in Addiction and Mental Health.
Taught by world-class researchers and practitioners who are experienced in the field, you’ll complete courses that explore the scientific bases of addiction, mental health and related comorbidities. Learn best practice, culturally safe approaches to care for a diverse range of client populations and contexts from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, migrant cultures, adolescence, pregnancy and childbirth and defence forces to other specialised areas.
Develop broad knowledge of the biological basis of addiction, including individual and community-based risk and protective factors. Examination of the sociological, cultural and political influences that influence addiction and mental health care professional practice and policy. Gain in-depth knowledge of the psychosocial and pharmacological approaches to treatment, alongside public health-driven approaches to prevention and harm reduction.
Emerge with the specialised skillset to lead best practice approaches in your professional field, whether that’s undertaking further research, developing public health policy, designing prevention or harm reduction initiatives or approaches to healthcare.
Key facts
What you will study
Complete 48 units comprising:
- Co-Existing Addiction and Mental Health Disorders (12 credit points)
- Mental Health (12 credit points)
- Drug Effects and Biology of Addiction (12 credit points)
- Pharmacotherapy and Other Responses to Drug Problems (12 credit points)
Entry requirements
Admission criteria
- A completed Bachelor's degree or equivalent and relevant work experience.
- All applicants must upload the following documents as part of the SATAC application: Current Curriculum Vitae.
Recognition of Prior Learning
Adelaide University is committed to recognising the contribution of students’ prior learning towards their program requirements.
Credit may be granted for formal, informal and non-formal learning, with guidance on eligibility provided to prospective students in a clear, transparent and publicly available credit framework.
Credit determinations will be:
- Evidence-based, equitable and transparent.
- Academically sound.
- Applied consistently, fairly and subject to review.
Credit will be granted for prior learning that is relevant and equivalent to the learning required for the courses for which credit is sought.
Credit will only be granted if it:
- Maintains the credibility and integrity of the program for which credit is sought.
- Does not contravene the conditions of the program’s professional accreditation.
- Does not disadvantage the student’s ability to achieve the expected course or program learning outcomes.
For more information, contact the university or visit its website.
Outcomes
Learning outcomes
The Graduate Diploma in Addiction and Mental Health at Adelaide University has been designed to equip you with the knowledge and skills necessary to develop compassionate, evidence-based responses to addiction and mental health care
You’ll take specialised courses covering the biological basis of addiction, individual and community-based risk and protective factors. In others, you’ll unpack the sociological, cultural and political influences that influence addiction and mental health care professional practice and policy.
In total, you’ll complete four core courses:
- Co-existing addiction and mental health disorders.
- Drug effects and biology of addiction.
- Mental health.
- Pharmacotherapy and other responses to drug problems.
Gain a solid base of knowledge in addiction science and mental health approaches that can be applied in your current professional work.
This degree can be studied mostly online; however, it may also have some on-campus and/or in-person requirements you will need to complete for accreditation purposes. This may include in-person intensive classes, workshops or professional placements.
Career outcomes
Professionals with specialised knowledge of addiction and mental health can be found working in a wide range of industries, including:
- Community and Social Service
- Health Communications
- Healthcare
- Law Enforcement and Corrections
- Non-Profit Organisations
- Occupational Health Services
- Public Health
- Research
- Training and Development
Fees and FEE-HELP
Indicative annual fee in 2026: $30,000 (domestic full-fee paying place).
Fee-paying programs require the full tuition fees for your study, which can be deferred partly or in full to a FEE-HELP loan. Where the duration of the program is less than one year, the total cost of the program is displayed.
A student’s fee may vary depending on:
- The number of courses studied per term.
- The choice of major or specialisation.
- Choice of courses.
- Credit from previous study or work experience.
- Eligibility for government-funded loans.
You may also need to pay the student services and amenities fee.
Student fees shown are subject to change. Contact the university directly to confirm.
FEE-HELP loans are available to assist eligible full-fee paying domestic students.
