University of Queensland
Graduate Certificate in Mental Health
- Delivery: Face to Face
- Study Level: Postgraduate
- Duration: 12 months
Develop professionally and open pathways to your master's with the Graduate Certificate in Mental Health.
Course overview
UQ’s mental health programs provide systematic training designed to develop knowledge, skills and attitudes relevant to contemporary mental health practice. You'll receive advanced training in a variety of evidence-based interventions and the theoretical principles that underpin them.
Teaching is provided by highly experienced practitioners and researchers, many of whom have national or international reputations for scholarship and professional practice. You'll have the opportunity to undertake both structured and independent learning assignments and study in a flexible environment that respects concurrent professional commitments.
This program is an introduction to the specialist knowledge and skills required for mental health practice. You'll learn about the framework for mental health practice (policy, law and models of service delivery) and acquire clinical knowledge and skills in areas such as assessment, treatment planning and widely used therapeutic interventions.
For qualified applicants, Graduate Certificate courses form part of the Master's and graduates may articulate into the Master of Mental Health.
CSP Subsidised Fees Available
This program has a limited quota of Commonwealth Supported Places (CSP). The indicative CSP price is calculated based on first year fees for EFT. The actual fee may vary if there are choices in electives or majors.
Key facts
What you will study
Students must complete eight units comprising four GCMH Core Courses.
GCMH Core Courses
Complete eight units for all of the following:
- Understanding Mental Health and Psychotherapeutic Interventions
- Ethics and Mental Health Practice
- Common and Specific Factors in Mental Health Treatments
- Human Development and Relationships Across the Life Span
Entry requirements
To be eligible for entry, you'll need:
- A bachelor's degree (or equivalent) in health or social work, plus one year full-time equivalent relevant work experience in a mental health setting.
- Or a bachelor's degree (or equivalent) in any discipline, plus two years of full-time equivalent relevant work experience in a mental health setting.
- Or have completed post-secondary studies and have five years of full-time equivalent relevant work experience in a mental health setting.
Applications based on post-secondary study and work experience will be assessed individually.
In your previous qualification, you must have a grade point average (GPA) of 4.0 on a 7-point scale.
Recognition of Prior Learning
If you already have industry experience and the required skills and knowledge, you can be assessed through the Recognition of Prior Learning process.
You must be able to validate your ability to meet all industry benchmarks as required for each relevant unit.
Contact the university or visit its website for more information.
Outcomes
Career possibilities
Postgraduate study can take you anywhere. Here are some of the careers you could be on your way to:
- Counsellor
- Mental Health Services Manager
- Mental Health Support Worker
- Community Mental Health Practitioner
- Mental Health Clinician
- Patient Assessor
- Health and Well-being Consultant
Fees and CSP
Indicative annual fee in 2025: $4,660 (Commonwealth Supported Place)
The indicative annual fee is the approximate yearly cost of tuition (eight units).
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.
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'll only need to pay a portion of your tuition fees. This is known as the student contribution amount – 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 the course 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.
