Master of Mental Health Nursing Online | SCU Online Skip to main content
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Why SCU Online?
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Why study the SCU Online Master of Mental Health Nursing?

accredited
Pathway to credentialing

Accredited under the Australian College of Mental Health Nurses (ACMNH)

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Leading in nursing education

#2 in Australia for Nursing in overall Educational Experience1

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Top 200 Young Universities

Ranked in the top 200 universities in the world that are 50 years old or younger2

1Good Universities Guide 2023
2Times Higher Education Young University Rankings 2023

Download a course guide

With more detailed information specific to your course and field of study, including:

  • Full course information and entry requirements
  • Tips for online study success
  • Career opportunities and salaries information
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Quick facts

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Duration

2 years
part-time*

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Study mode

100% online

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Intakes

Jan, Mar, May, July, Aug, Oct

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Units

12

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Fees

$2,658 per unit, FEE-HELP available

*completion time dependent on individual study path and course availability. Please speak to a Student Advisor for more information.

Description

The SCU Online Master of Mental Health Nursing difference

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Are you thinking about studying for an online mental health nursing masters? At SCU, we’re cultivating the leaders of tomorrow, today, right in our very own backyard. We aim to provide an exceptional education experience through our unique learning model and innovative online platform. We’re committed to lifelong learning and providing equal access to education for everyone, regardless of background or location. As one of the top universities in the world at only 25 years young, we’re pioneers in online education and have been doing so since 2015. We’re a rising, dynamic university that is proud to be a game changer and leader in education. That’s the SCU Online difference and why you should study an online masters degree in mental health nursing with us.

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Take control of your study schedule

Have the flexibility to study around shift work, family commitments and other responsibilities so you can manage your own study progress.

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Pathway to a specialist mental health nurse credential

Developed in line with the latest mental health industry standards, set by the ACMHN. You can use your qualification as part of the pathway to becoming a credentialed mental health nurse.

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Learn from clinically experienced academics

Developed in collaboration with passionate mental health nursing providers with a wealth of clinical experience, preparing you to apply specialist mental health knowledge in practice.

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Unique learning model

Find the ideal balance between work, life and study through our unique seven-week study units. Apply the knowledge and skills you learn immediately to real-world situations.

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Helping communities thrive

At SCU Online, we stand for our community. We’re  committed to offering a vibrant teaching, learning, research and cultural environment to help you achieve your career goals.

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Unparalleled support

Receive academic and non-academic support to assist with your study from enrolment through to graduation. Have full access to SCU campuses, including the library and other facilities.

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How does the online masters degree in mental health nursing work with SCU?

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  • With no exams, you’ll learn through quizzes, videos, interactive presentations and more.
  • Connect with academics and students through online chat platforms and discussion boards.
  • Access support throughout the course, including feedback from a learning coach and a dedicated student success advisor from enrolment through to graduation.
  • Live classes are optional but encouraged for networking, while the course is self-paced.
  • To make the most of your learning experience, we recommend dedicating around 20 hours per week to your studies.
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A typical study period at SCU Online
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Typical study period timeline

Next study period

May
2024

Applications close in

44 days

Speak to an Enrolment Advisor to find out more.

Our study periods: Jan, Mar, May, July, Aug, Oct

Late applications may be considered under special circumstances up until the start of O'Week. For more information please speak with a Student Enrolment Advisor.

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Career and salary outcomes

As a registered nurse and a Master of Mental Health Nursing graduate, you’ll be equipped with the skills and knowledge to move into specialised mental health nurse roles across a range of settings. Here’s a quick preview of potential career options and their corresponding salary outcomes:

Mental Health Nurse

Mental Health Nurse, typical annual salary: $95,000

Mental Health Support Worker

Mental Health Support Worker, typical annual salary: $73,000

Nurse Unit Manager

Nurse Unit Manager, typical annual salary: $128,000

Clinical Nurse

Clinical Nurse, typical annual salary: $105,000

Registered Nurse

Registered Nurse, typical annual salary: $85,000

Nurse Consultant

Nurse Consultant, typical annual salary: $115,000

*Salary outcomes captured by Seek.com.au, accurate as of September 2023.

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What you will study
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What will you be studying for the Master of Mental Health Nursing degree with SCU Online?
Students studying our online postgraduate mental health nursing course will study 11 core units and choose one elective unit. Learn more about the units you will study as part of the Master of Mental Health Nursing below.

This unit will expose you to critical exploration and practical application of the core contexts of mental health within the Australian healthcare system. 

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This unit emphasises the life stage and bio-psycho-social contexts specifically related to providing effective engagement and interventions with children, adolescents and older persons. 

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This unit explores the varied roles of a mental health professional in the 21st century. 

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This unit explores the experiences of people with complex mental health presentations, co-morbidity and risk behaviours. 

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This unit introduces you to an evidence-based approach to health practice. 

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Enhance understanding and capability of mental health to ensure patient physical health needs are being addressed within holistic mental health assessment, diagnosis and interventions.

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Develop a deeper knowledge of psychological approaches and models of understanding that influence a consumer taking constructive change that supports recovery. 

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In this unit, you will reflect on your own professional practice and learning, planning strategies to collect, select and reflect on evidence to include in a professional portfolio.

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This unit emphasises on leading the translation and application of knowledge to clinical practice settings.

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Develop knowledge and capabilities in evidence-based and effective talk-based interventions, through a critical analysis of key therapies from behaviourist theory perspectives. 

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Broaden and deepen your understanding of literature analysis and research design in relation to an area relevant to professional practice.

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Analyse the current state of healthcare, while exploring the private and public sectors as well as their social and economic implications

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This unit looks at problem-solving challenges in the private and public sectors, as well as regulated and deregulated systems, comparing Australian review systems against the rest of the world. 

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This unit will guide you to evaluate and critically reflect on leadership to apply that knowledge to drive change and innovation within health and social care. 

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Analyse the role of accountability, as well as evaluate the concepts of professional accountability within organisations.

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This unit will extend theoretical knowledge, in addition to social and emotional skills to improve communication, teamwork and client safety. 

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This unit hones your leadership skills in a clinical learning environment. 

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Explore a diverse range of leadership styles, preparing you for a bright future in leadership or management.

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Explore digital marketing tools and techniques to develop well-structured digital marketing plans and undertake a digital marketing campaign.

In this unit, you will research and develop change strategies, and learn how to adapt.

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This unit looks at the aims and goals of HR and its role in business.

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In this unit, you will study organisations and the individual, interpersonal and group processes and the organisational system.

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This unit covers the foundation elements of managing business projects.

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This unit covers important accounting principles that make up the core of business management.

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Develop effective written and verbal communication skills for business and management.

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Early exit option

We know that plans change, which is why we’ve built A flexible completion option into the online Master of Mental Health Nursing. If you need to exit early, you could still receive a Graduate Certificate in Mental Health Nursing or a Graduate Diploma of Mental Health Nursing

Graduate Certificate
+ 4 units

Or continue studying

Graduate Diploma
+ 4 Units

Or continue studying

Masters Degree
+ 4 Units

Description

Learning outcomes with a Master of Mental Health Nursing degree online

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Holistic mental health practice

Covering a broad spectrum of mental health, gain the skills to create holistic mental health care treatment plans to meet patient needs.

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Contemporary mental health perspectives

Explore current mental health policy and government legislation within the Australian healthcare system while building on your collaborative recovery and evidence-based mental health practice.

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Develop evidence-based approaches

Build the capacity to analyse and critique the latest mental health research, preparing you to apply evidence-based approaches and drive better patient outcomes in clinical settings.

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Entry requirements
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To gain entry into the Master of Mental Health Nursing, all applicants must:

  • Be a Registered Nurse (Division 1) and have access to mental health nurse practice or to mental health nurse practitioners during their course of study, and;
  • Be proficient in English.


If you are not a registered nurse, you could also be eligible for the Master of Mental Health degree. Find out more about Rules Relating to Awards and Specific Award Rules.

At SCU Online, we value your past education and work experience, allowing you to potentially reduce the mental health nursing postgraduate degree length through Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL).

Should you have any relevant professional work experience or academic qualifications that you would like us to acknowledge, please provide as much evidence of this as possible when applying to study the Master of Mental Health Nursing online.

Gain credit for your previous experience and graduate even sooner with Advanced Standing. At SCU Online, we proactively assess each student’s prior learning, qualifications and professional experience and provide custom pathways to complete your online Master of Mental Health Nursing.

Find out more about applying for advanced standing

Need more information on the entry requirements?

Chat to a Student Enrolment Advisor today via live chat or call us on 1300 863 819 to discover your eligibility.

 

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Meet the course coordinator

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Meet our Course Coordinator

Dr Richard Lakeman is the course coordinator for the Master of Mental Health and Master of Mental Health Nursing programmes, and a Associate Professor at Southern Cross University’s Internationally recognised School of Health and Human Sciences. Richard can provide valuable support and guidance to SCU Online Master of Mental Health Nursing students through:

  • Hands-on learning: Gain real-world insights into the challenges and complexities of mental health care in a variety of settings with Richard’s 30 years of experience working in the field as a mental health nurse.
  • Expertise in complex mental health needs: Understand and address the unique challenges faced by individuals with complex mental health needs, especially if you aspire to work in specialised areas of mental health.
  • Mentoring: Receive one-on-one guidance and support in your academic and career journey. As your course coordinator, Richard can offer career advice, share insights and help you develop the necessary skills to excel in mental health nurse roles in a variety of community settings.
  • A holistic approach: Learn about integrating psychological and emotional aspects into your nursing practice alongside medical interventions in mental health care.
richard lakeman course coordinator
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What our students say about our online Master of Mental Health Nursing

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Master of Mental Health Nursing student Cassandra.

I believe I now have more skills needed in the contemporary health age, for example I have greater critical thinking skills in mental health, and I feel much more confident to work online within the community.

Cassandra Plesman

Master of Mental Health Nursing Student and Registered Nurse

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Related courses

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Graduate Diploma
of Mental Health Nursing

Intakes: Jan, Mar, May, July, Aug, Oct
Duration: 16 months part-time

View course

Graduate Certificate
in Mental Health Nursing

Intakes: Jan, Mar, May, July, Aug, Oct
Duration: 8 months part-time

View course

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Frequently asked questions
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To qualify for entry into the Master of Mental Health Nursing, all applicants must:

  • Be a Registered Nurse (Division 1) and have access to mental health nurse practice or to mental health nurse practitioners during their course of study, and;
  • Be proficient in English.

If you are not a registered nurse, you could be eligible for the Master of Mental Health degree.

No, but students have access to FEE-HELP Government loans. FEE-HELP is the Government loan that eligible full-fee paying postgraduate students can use to defer their payment.

As this course is delivered 100% online, you can be located anywhere and undertake the Master of Mental Health Nursing, provided you meet the entry criteria. Different nursing courses in Melbourne, even throughout Victoria and other Australian states have different study requirements - like on-campus attendance, however with SCU Online, our students don't need to worry about that.

To gain your online Master of Mental Health Nursing degree, you will complete 11 core units and 1 elective unit.

You can choose one from any of our 14 mental health nursing electives.

These include:

  • Health Systems, Policies and Practices
  • Leadership and Management in Health
  • Leading Change in Healthcare
  • Principles and Practice of Clinical Accountability
  • Social and Emotional Competence in the Workplace
  • Teaching and Supervision in a Clinical Setting
  • The Positive Leader
  • Digital Marketing
  • Organisational Change and Development
  • Human Resource Management
  • Organisational Behaviour
  • Project Management Principles
  • Business Accounting for Managers
  • Management Communication

Nurses who specialise in mental health can be found at every level of service delivery, from Medicare-subsidised to specialised mental health care settings and support services.

The course is accredited under the Australian College of Mental Health Nurses (ACMHN). You can use your qualification as part of the requirements to become a credentialed mental health nurse.

For more information on the Career Outcomes in Mental Health, visit our blog.

Our Graduate Certificate in Mental Health Nursing is comprised of four units, our Graduate Diploma in Mental Health Nursing is comprised of eight units, and our Master of Mental Health Nursing is comprised of twelves units. The Graduate Certificate in Mental Health Nursing is your first step towards a Graduate Diploma in Mental Health Nursing and a Master of Mental Health Nursing, both of which are accredited under the Australian College of Mental Health Nurses (ACMHN).

Advanced standing focuses primarily on receiving credit from previous academic study, such as an undergraduate or postgraduate degree, while RPL encompasses a wider range of learning experiences as well as professional work experience. Both processes provide the opportunity for you to have your prior learning recognised, thereby reducing the amount of time and effort required to complete the online Master of Mental Health Nursing.