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Postgraduate mental health courses are available for healthcare and non-healthcare professionals to study 100 per cent online to improve skills or transition into this field.

GlobalHealth Education’s Australian university partners offer mental health courses that can provide you with the skills needed to impact the mental health and wellbeing of Australians positively.

The benefits of postgraduate mental health courses

Postgraduate study in mental health provides students with a deeper understanding of this specialised area and expands your career opportunities. Here are just some of the benefits possible when you complete an online postgraduate mental health course.

• A new career path. The study of mental health at a postgraduate level can open career opportunities for individuals seeking to transition into the field of mental health, either with or without a healthcare background. For example, you could be a nurse seeking a career change in mental health or a non-healthcare professional with a bachelor’s degree wishing to work in healthcare.
• Upskilling in your current field. Already working in mental health but wanting education to solidify your experience? A postgraduate qualification in mental health can help you achieve this.
• Expanding professional opportunities. Regardless of your career goals in mental health, a postgraduate qualification opens up new professional opportunities. For example, graduates may be eligible for increased salaries and new responsibilities. 

Mental health courses and levels of postgraduate study

Postgraduate mental health courses differ in length, qualifications and outcomes. Likewise, the entry and accreditation requirements vary for each course. These are the various levels of postgraduate study and what you can expect from each of them.

Graduate certificate

Graduate certificates typically take between 6 to 12 months to complete. Courses like the online Graduate Certificate in Mental Health, offered by Victoria University, take eight months part-time. Graduates will learn fundamentals in mental health practice, care and collaboration with other mental health services. After completing, students may wish to continue their studies with a Master of Mental Health.

Graduate diploma

A graduate diploma is the next level of study, equipping graduates with the skills and knowledge to become comprehensive mental health care providers. Southern Cross University’s Graduate Diploma of Mental Health takes 16 months part-time to complete online, but programs range from one to four years. VU's online Graduate Diploma in Mental Health Nursing is a nurse-specific course that allows graduates to progress toward credentialing with the ACMHN. Otherwise, students can also go on to study a master’s degree.

Master’s degree

A master’s degree in mental health allows graduates to work across various settings and disciplines, giving them advanced knowledge within this focus area. Students can complete The Master of Mental Health online with SCU in 24 months part-time. Specialised degrees, like VU's online Master of Child and Adolescent Mental Health, are also available to study.

Skills gained and learning outcomes for online mental health postgraduate studies  

Want to develop your skills without disrupting your career? Studying a postgraduate mental health qualification online means you can do it all while you work. 

Online postgraduate study in mental health equips you with the knowledge and expertise you need to make a difference in people’s lives, including the following: 

• Holistic mental health practice: Explore the impacts of mental health on individuals, families and communities.
• Leadership: Learn to lead on an individual, team and organisational level. Draw on traditional and new practices to help you manage change.
• Interagency collaboration and partnership: Prepare to work with different agencies to support those from diverse backgrounds such as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, the LGBTQIA+ community and refugees.
• Partnerships: Learn to build and maintain partnerships with government, non-government organisations (NGOs) and existing health services when providing care and implementing mental health best practices. 

Depending on the program, you’ll cover topics including: 

• Mental health and wellbeing for individuals, families and communities.
• Recovery-focused and trauma-informed care, mental health and wellbeing, as they relate to holistic and integrated health care.
• Evidence-based approach to mental health care, interpreting and applying the research to provide better outcomes.
• In some programs, specialisations include child and adolescent mental health. 

Career outcomes for online mental health postgraduates 

With sought-after specialist mental health skills under your belt, you’ll be ready to take on a diverse range of opportunities.  

The specific career paths available to you will depend on two key things – your current qualifications and experience as well as the mental health qualification you choose to pursue. With that in mind, possibilities include the following roles, all of which have strong future growth prospects: 

Mental health clinician  

• The average salary in 2023 is approximately $95,000. 
• Mental health clinicians are usually qualified allied health and social care professionals (such as occupational therapists, psychologists, mental health nurses and social workers) with specialist mental health skills and expertise. 

Mental health nurse 

• The average alary ranges between $85,000 - $100,000 in 2023. 
• Mental health nurses provide care and support for patients experiencing mental illness.
• Registered nurses may choose to undertake a Master of Mental Health Nursing to gain mental health credentials. 

Other possible career paths include: 

• mental health specialist occupational therapist  
• mental health social worker 
• child protection case worker 
• rehabilitation consultant 
• support worker 
• mental health nurse 
• school counsellor  

The pros of studying postgraduate mental health online 

Postgraduate study in mental health prepares you to become a capable leader and practitioner. Designed to complement your existing skill set, online postgraduate study allows you to:  

• Fit study around your work and life – not the other way around.
• Secure a specialist role in an area that's growing fast.
• Build practical mental health skills you can start applying straight away.
• Advocate for those experiencing mental health issues in a decision-making context. 
• Improve patient outcomes with a holistic approach to care. 
• Have a lifelong impact by supporting people at their most vulnerable moments. 

The healthcare industry is looking for the next generation of leaders. Are you ready to step up? 

Choosing the right online mental health course for you

Start the process by reviewing the courses on offer in detail. If you have any questions or can't find all of the information you're looking for, select a course above to speak with a Student Enrolment Advisor who can help you understand which course is right for you.  

Compile a list of key questions that might help you decide which course to do. You want to make sure the course fits in with your needs, goals and lifestyle. This list might include: 

• How do the courses on offer differ from each other?
• How do the universities differ? What are the key features of the universities that are of value to me? 
• Does this program give me skills and knowledge I need to progress my career in mental health? 
• If I pick a specialisation/major, can I change my mind part-way through and study a different specialisation or take a generalist path? 
• If I decide to complete further study further down the line, does this course provide pathways? 
• What support do the universities offer students? 
• Are there any additional fees I need to be aware of? 
• Who teaches the course?  

How GlobalHealth Education can guide your postgraduate journey

GlobalHealth Education partners with Australian universities to offer students a more straightforward, supportive way to enrol and study postgraduate mental health courses. As a prospective student, these are some of the benefits you’ll experience when you plan your education with us.

• Personalised enrolment process. GlobalHealth Education’s Student Enrolment Advisors will be with you from your very first enquiry when you select a course. With a unique approach to each student, they’ll work with you to identify your goals, interests and career aspirations, guiding you towards the best mental health course for you.
• Ongoing support as you study. GlobalHealth Education understands that enrolment is only the first step in your study journey. Our Student Success Advisors are with you throughout your study, providing guidance, assisting with study-related questions such as deferrals, and supporting you on the academic journey.
• Helpful comparison tool. Deciding which program to study is easier when comparing course and university options on one simple platform. GlobalHealth Education is your comparison tool, allowing prospective students to see what our partner universities offer and which mental health courses align with your goals and preferences.

Helping you navigate postgraduate education

A career as a mental health care provider is achievable, with online study giving you big advantages to fast-track your career in mental health. Select a course to speak to one of GlobalHealth Education’s Student Enrolment Advisors to discuss possible mental health courses you can study online and gain support to achieve your professional goals.