Charles Darwin University
Master of Clinical Nursing (Mental Health Nursing)
- Delivery: Online
- Study Level: Postgraduate
- Duration: 3 years
Learn to deliver compassionate, evidence-based care, empowering individuals and communities to overcome mental health challenges and thrive.
Course overview
The Master of Clinical Nursing provides students with the knowledge and skills to influence practice in their speciality area. Students can engage in specialist electives that support their career progression from various speciality areas. Students will continue to build specialist knowledge as they undertake core units of study. The degree supports the registered nurse in leading quality and safety in health care and promoting best practices. It has been developed to be clinically relevant and clinically focused and supports theory being translated to the practice environment in a scaffolded approach.
In the first year of the degree, students will engage in speciality electives that are aligned with their area of practice and interest. Across the second year of the degree, students undertake core units of study to align their speciality area of practice by using evidence to inform practice and leading safe, person-centred and culturally sensitive care. In the final year, students will undertake two project units that are aligned with their professional interests. This degree is offered part-time over three years.
Key facts
What you will study
A candidate must successfully complete units totalling 120 credit points, as detailed below. Unless otherwise indicated, all units are valued at 10 credit points.
Core units
Compulsory core units totalling 80 credit points are detailed below:
- Evidence in Health Care (20 credit points)
- Diversity and Inclusion in Health
- Nursing and Midwifery Professional Leadership
- Nursing Project 1 (20 credit points)
- Nursing Project 2 (20 credit points)
Mental Health Nursing specialisation units
Complete all 40 credit points of:
- The Therapeutic Relationship
- Mental Health Across the Lifespan
- Mental Healthcare for Substance Use Disorders
- Understanding Challenging Behaviours
Entry requirements
Applicants for this course must meet all of the following:
- Successful completion of a recognised Bachelor of Nursing or equivalent international qualification.
- Current registration with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) as a Division 1 registered nurse.
Hospital-trained nurses with current registration may also be considered.
English language requirements
The minimum English language requirement for this course can be met by evidencing one of the following:
- Successful completion of Year 12 within Australia or an equivalent qualification from an approved country where English is the official language
- Successful completion of at least 0.5FTE of higher education study from Australia or an approved country where English is the official language. If studies were completed from a country on the extended list, they must have been completed within the past five (5) years.
- Successful completion of a Charles Darwin University enabling program of at least 0.5FTE (40 credit points).
- Successful completion of a recognised TAFE qualification at a Certificate III level or higher from Australia.
- Current AHPRA registration as a Division 1 or Division 2 nurse. Registration must be current at the time of course commencement.
- Completion of an approved English test within two years of commencement, meeting the minimum scores.
Contact the university or visit their website for more information.
Recognition of Prior Learning
You may be eligible for recognition of prior learning if you have previously studied or have relevant work experience. This will help to reduce the number of units that you need to study to finish your course. Contact the university for more information.
Outcomes
Career outcomes
The qualification prepares you to be a leader in your practice area across public and private health care, and in hospital and community settings. Graduates of the Master of Clinical Nursing program are afforded a wide range of career opportunities, including working in specialist areas of practice, leading in leadership and management roles and being a leader in the nursing profession.
Fees and FEE-HELP
Estimated total fee in 2025: $41,242 (domestic full-fee paying place)
The estimated total fee is determined by individual units of study and the year the course was commenced.
Student fees may vary per:
- The number of units studied per term.
- The choice of major or specialisation.
- Choice of units.
- Credit from previous study or work experience.
- Eligibility for government-funded loans.
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 with the cost of a university course.
