Graduate Certificate of Mental Health Nursing

What you will study

To complete the Graduate Certificate of Mental Health Nursing, you must pass four credit points. This includes:

• DAI001 Academic Integrity and Respect at Deakin (0-credit-point compulsory unit) in your first study period.
• Four credit points of core units.

Core Units:

• Academic Integrity and Respect at Deakin (0 credit points).
• Biopsychosocialspiritual Mental Health Nursing Assessment.
• Person-Centred Approaches to Engagement in Mental Health Nursing.
• Recognising and Understanding Mental Illness.
• Therapeutic Interventions in Mental Health Nursing.

Entry requirements

Selection is based on a holistic consideration of your academic merit, work experience, likelihood of success, availability of places, participation requirements, regulatory requirements and individual circumstances. You must meet the minimum academic and English language proficiency requirements to be considered for selection, but this does not guarantee admission.

Please note that this course has limited places and entry is competitive. Applicants are strongly encouraged to submit an application as soon as possible. If all spots are filled, applications for this course may close before the published closing date.

Academic requirements

To be considered for admission to this degree, you will need to meet all the following criteria:

• Bachelor of Nursing degree or equivalent.
• Registration as a registered nurse with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia with no conditions or restrictions, or registered as a registered nurse in the country of practice or equivalent.

English language proficiency requirements

To meet the English language proficiency requirements of this course, you will need to demonstrate at least one of the following:

• Bachelor's degree from a recognised English-speaking country.
• IELTS overall score of 6.5 (with no band score less than 6.0) or equivalent.
• CEFR Proficient User Level C1.
• Other evidence of English language proficiency (learn more about other ways to satisfy the requirements).

Recognition of Prior Learning

The University aims to provide students with as much credit as possible for approved prior study or informal learning that exceeds the course's standard entrance requirements and is within the constraints of the course regulations. Students must complete a minimum of one-third of the course at Deakin University or four credit points, whichever is greater. For certificates, including graduate certificates, a minimum of two credit points within the course must be completed at Deakin.

You can also refer to the recognition of prior learning (RPL) system, which outlines the credit that may be granted towards a Deakin University degree and how to apply for credit.

Students holding an approved specialist certificate from the former Nurses Board of Victoria may apply for up to four credit points of Recognition of prior learning towards the Master's.

Outcomes

Learning outcomes

• Analyse and apply theories and evidence-informed practice to facilitate recovery-oriented, trauma-informed and consumer-centred mental health nursing care.
• Apply advanced therapeutic communication skills and collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to promote advocacy, agency and self-determination among mental health consumers, families and carers.
• Maintain and advance mental health nursing knowledge and practice by critically analysing mental health research using digital technologies.
• Apply critical thinking nursing skills through analysing, evaluating and critiquing evidence-based sources to inform clinical decision making.
• Problem solving: Assess, plan and deliver mental health nursing care to diverse consumers with complex mental health needs.
• Self-management practice independently demonstrating accountability and personal responsibility, reflecting on nursing practice.
• Collaborate with mental health consumers and the multidisciplinary team to optimise consumer outcomes and engagement.
• Maintain professional and ethical standards of nursing practice whilst recognising diverse cultural and community perspectives.

Career outcomes

As government and industry continue to focus on building and securing the mental health workforce, registered nurses with specialised postgraduate qualifications in mental health nursing are in strong demand. In many services, they are a minimum requirement to work in the setting following an undergraduate nursing degree.

Deakin’s outstanding employment rate for postgraduate nursing means you can be confident in taking the next step in your career. As a graduate of the Master of Mental Health Nursing, you’ll have the skills and knowledge to enhance your mental health nursing career as a senior clinician or step into a leadership role across various community and inpatient settings.

Upon graduation, you may find work in: 

• Acute Public Mental Health
• Aged Care Services
• Child and Adolescent Mental Health
• Forensic Services
• Mother and Baby Services
• Community Mental Health
• Drug and Alcohol Services
• Private Mental Health

Fees and CSP

Indicative first-year tuition fee in 2025: $2,314 (Commonwealth Supported Place)

The indicative first-year fee is the approximate cost of enrolling in this course for one academic year, depending on the type of place you are offered, for example, a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP) or full-fee paying (FFP) place. For a graduate certificate, this is usually four units studied full-time over one term or part-time over two terms.

A student’s annual fee may vary by:

• 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. Could you contact the university directly to confirm?

Commonwealth Supported Places

The Australian Government allocates a certain number of CSPS to the universities each year, which are then distributed to students based on merit.

If you're a Commonwealth Supported Student (CSS), you only need to pay some of your tuition fees. The student contribution amount is the balance once the government subsidy is applied. This means your costs are much lower.

Limited CSP spaces are offered to students enrolled in selected postgraduate courses.

Your student contribution amount is:

• Calculated per unit you're enrolled in.
• Depending on the study areas they relate to.
• Reviewed and adjusted each year.

HECS-HELP loans are available to CSP students to pay the student contribution amount.

FEE-HELP loans are available to assist eligible full-fee-paying domestic students with the cost of a university course.