University of Queensland
Master of Mental Health
- Delivery: Face to Face
- Study Level: Postgraduate
- Duration: 18 months
Develop the advanced knowledge, skills and practical experience you'll need to thrive as a contemporary mental health professional.
Course overview
The Master of Mental Health is designed for professionals working in health, social services or education who want to build advanced skills in contemporary mental health practice.
You'll be supported to work more effectively with complex mental health presentations using a range of evidence-based therapeutic approaches.
Learn from highly experienced clinicians and educators in weekly small-group online tutorials and immersive, in-person residential workshops held one week per semester. The flexible format is designed to support working professionals, with a balance of structured learning and independent study.
You’ll complete core courses in the study of mental health practice, including ethics, interventions and working with clients. You’ll choose to specialise in one of 2 fields of study, Art Therapy or Psychotherapy.
Art therapy integrates creative expression with therapeutic dialogue to support diverse mental health needs. In this field of study, you’ll receive advanced training and develop your professional identity through experiential learning and 750 hours of supervised placement.
In the Psychotherapy field of study, you'll receive advanced training in the use of psychotherapy techniques, with particular emphasis on psychodynamic, cognitive-behavioural and integrative traditions to help people experiencing diverse mental health concerns. For this field of study, the application of skills and knowledge will happen in your own place of work.
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 24 units comprising:
- 16 units from Master of Mental Health Core Courses
- 8 units for one Field of Study from the Master of Mental Health Field of Study
Each course is worth two units.
Complete exactly 16 units from 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
- Advanced Therapy Skills: Working with Complex and Non-traditional Clients
- Advanced Therapy Skills: Working with Families and Groups
- Mental Health Research Thesis 1
- Mental Health Research Thesis 2
Entry requirements
To be eligible for entry, you'll need one of the following:
- 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.
- A bachelor's degree (or equivalent) in any discipline, plus two years full-time equivalent relevant work experience in a mental health setting.
- A graduate certificate or graduate diploma in mental health from UQ, plus five years of equivalent relevant work experience in a mental health setting.
You must have a grade point average (GPA) of 4.0 on a 7-point scale in your previous qualification.
If you're applying for the Art Therapy field of study, you'll also need to:
- Meet the Art Practice entrance standard and
- Attend an art-making group experientially.
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. Depending on which field you choose, here are some of the careers you could be on your way to:
- Art Therapist
- Counsellor
- Mental Health Services Manager
- Community Mental Health Practitioner
- Mental Health Clinician
- Psychosocial Community Support Worker
- Patient Assessor
- Health and Well-being Consultant
Fees and CSP
Indicative annual fee in 2025: $9,315 (Commonwealth Supported Place)
The indicative annual fee is the approximate yearly cost of tuition (16 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.
