Program summary

QTAC code: not applicable
Award abbreviation: MMentalHlthNurs
Duration: 1 year full-time or equivalent part-time (only a full-time study option is available to international students)
Total units: 96 units
Fee type: Commonwealth supported places, domestic fee-paying places, international fee-paying places
Commence: Semester 1 or Semester 2
CRICOS code: 060945J

Program overview

The Master of Mental Health Nursing program has been fully accredited with the QNC until 2012. The progam provides the opportunity to prepare registered nurses to function as specialty mental health nurses in a variety of mental health care settings. The program aims to produce graduates who are critical thinkers that effectively utilise available evidence and reflective practices to enhance their clinical effectiveness. 

The program will be offered in an internal/blended mode. It is acknowledged that some courses lend themselves to weekly or regular class attendance throughout the semester, while others will be offered in a series of full or part day intensive workshops with greater online support of students. This flexibility in attendance pattern also responds to the varied work patterns of registered nurses and ability to schedule university study around work commitments.

A diversity of assessment methods will be utilised in order to develop a wide range of advanced mental health nursing practices and the opportunity to allow participants to focus on particular aspects of their mental health nursing practice that may be unique to their setting or interest. These include: practice-based assignments, seminar presentations, group work, self assessment, peer assessment, contract learning, and, reflective assessment tasks.

Admission requirements

Students will be registered nurses with a current licence to practice nursing in their State and would normally have completed a relevant undergraduate degree. Students would normally be employed as a registered nurse in a mental health setting (unit of a hospital, community mental health team or similar) or where they would have access to children, adolescents or adults with mental health issues and/or disorders for a minimum of two days per week.

Applicants who are not currently employed in a clearly defined mental health setting or are enrolled in a general nursing transition to practice program that offers a placement in the mental health setting may be admitted at the discretion of the Program Coordinator.

International students will demonstrate an IELTS score of 6.5 on entry to the program and have gained registration as a nurse and a current or temporary licence to practise as a registered nurse in Queensland.

Professional membership

Graduates will be eligible to apply to be credentialed as a Mental Health Nurse by the Australian College of Mental Health Nurses.

Career opportunities

Mental Health Nurse

Program structure

NUR713 Independent Study
NUR720 Mental Health Nursing Contexts
NUR721 Research in Health Care
NUR722 Assessment in Mental Health
NUR725 Therapeutic Interventions B
NUR726 Perspectives in Mental Health Care
NUR727 Therapeutic Interventions A
NUR728 Reflective Mental Health Practice

How to apply

Apply for a postgraduate program.

Enquiries

Faculty of Science, Health and Education
Tel: +61 7 5430 2869
Email: sheinfo@usc.edu.au