Are you thinking about studying a masters degree in mental health? 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 mental health masters course with us.
Have the flexibility to study around shift work, family commitments and other responsibilities so you can manage your own study progress.
Developed in collaboration with passionate, expert mental health providers, this course will prepare you to apply contemporary, evidence-based approaches in practice.
Focus on current trends and legislation, and the latest evidence-based approaches, equipping you to handle mental health challenges in an ever-changing landscape.
Find the ideal balance between work, life and study through our unique seven-week study units. Apply the knowledge & skills you learn immediately to real-world situations.
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.
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.
What will you be studying for the Master of Mental Health degree with SCU Online?
Students studying our online masters degree in mental health will study 11 core units and choose one elective unit. By studying the Master of Mental Health, you’ll develop the skills required to meet current mental health challenges head on with confidence. Learn more about the units you will study as part of the Master of Mental Health below.
This unit will expose you to critical exploration and practical application of the core contexts of mental health within the Australian healthcare system.
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.
This unit explores the varied roles of a mental health professional in the 21st century.
This unit explores the experiences of people with complex mental health presentations, co-morbidity and risk behaviours.
This unit introduces you to an evidence-based approach to health practice.
Enhance understanding and capability of mental health to ensure patient physical health needs are being addressed within holistic mental health assessment, diagnosis and interventions.
Develop a deeper knowledge of psychological approaches and models of understanding that influence a consumer taking constructive change that supports recovery.
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.
This unit emphasises on leading the translation and application of knowledge to clinical practice settings.
Develop knowledge and capabilities in evidence-based and effective talk-based interventions, through a critical analysis of key therapies from behaviourist theory perspectives.
Broaden and deepen your understanding of literature analysis and research design in relation to an area relevant to professional practice.
Analyse the current state of healthcare, while exploring the private and public sectors as well as their social and economic implications
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.
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.
Analyse the role of accountability, as well as evaluate the concepts of professional accountability within organisations.
This unit will extend theoretical knowledge, in addition to social and emotional skills to improve communication, teamwork and client safety.
This unit hones your leadership skills in a clinical learning environment.
Explore a diverse range of leadership styles, preparing you for a bright future in leadership or management.
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.
This unit looks at the aims and goals of HR and its role in business.
In this unit, you will study organisations and the individual, interpersonal and group processes and the organisational system.
This unit covers the foundation elements of managing business projects.
This unit covers important accounting principles that make up the core of business management.
Develop effective written and verbal communication skills for business and management.
We know that plans change, which is why we’ve built flexible completion options into the online Master of Mental Health. If you need to exit early, you could still receive a Graduate Certificate in Mental Health or a Graduate Diploma of Mental Health.
Or continue studying
Or continue studying
As a Master of Mental Health graduate, you will be equipped with specialist mental health knowledge and skills to act confidently and promote mental wellbeing when faced with the many challenges of mental illness across many different settings. Here’s a quick preview of potential career options and their corresponding salary outcomes:
Mental Health Support Worker, typical annual salary: $73,000
Mental Health Nurse, typical annual salary: $95,000
Disability Support Worker, typical annual salary: $65,000
Youth Worker, typical annual salary: $75,000
Health Advisor, typical annual salary: $125,000
Consultant Manager, typical annual salary: $165,000
*Salary outcomes captured by Seek.com.au, accurate as of September 2023.
Gain the skills to develop holistic mental health plans in diverse practical/clinical settings, achieving optimal wellbeing for patients.
Explore mental health policy, legislation and government funding within today’s Australian healthcare system.
Build the capacity to analyse and critique the latest mental health research, to better your treatment and intervention plans in diverse practical settings.
Dr Richard Lakeman is the course coordinator for the Master of Mental Health and Master of Mental Health Nursing programs, and an 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 students through:
Make time and do (this course). It is worth it and will help save the lives of those struggling. To be fully equipped is worth it and the patients will trust you more with their lives to recover from a relapse.
Victoria Koriaty
Online Graduate Diploma in Mental Health
I have been able to implement the skills I have learned already! I now spend more time using Motivational Interviewing and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy Skills to facilitate more engagement and I see positive results, for example, individuals exercise more.
Cassandra Plesman
Master of Mental Health Nursing Student and Registered Nurse
Intakes: Jan, Mar, May, July, Aug, Oct
Duration: 16 months part-time
Intakes: Jan, Mar, May, July, Aug, Oct
Duration: 8 months part-time
If you're wondering why study a Master of Mental Health? Below are some of the key skills you'll walk away with.
There is a growing need in our Australian healthcare system for highly skilled professionals who understand the complexities of mental health and can offer well-informed mental health clinical interventions. Southern Cross University’s online Master of Mental Health will enhance your understanding of mental health and psychology while building the skills needed to effectively respond to patients experiencing mild, moderate and severe mental health challenges.
This course is designed to prepare graduates for work within a range of health settings and disciplines. You will gain practical skills and specialised theoretical knowledge to extend or enhance your role in mental health.
Our flexible, accelerated course gives you 24-hour access to your coursework so you can fit your studies around your busy schedule.
You can engage with lecturers and other students no matter where you are – or where they are. Southern Cross University online studies also include:
As this course is delivered 100% online, you can be located anywhere and undertake the Master of Mental Health, provided you meet the entry criteria. Different mental health 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 degree, you will complete 11 core units and 1 elective unit. Coursework develops the skills required to effectively respond to challenges across a diverse range of mental health fields.
Learn more about the units of our Master of Mental Health here.
Mental health issues can affect anyone, and careers in mental health call for people with a diversity of backgrounds and experience, the most crucial factors being empathy, patience and a genuine desire to help others. With these core skills and values, the right training can take you a long way.
The current demand for trained professionals means that there are opportunities for work all over Australia. In particular in regional areas.
To find out more, take a look at our blog, 'Professional Pathways and Jobs for Mental Health Workers'.
Below are some of the key learning outcomes of our Master of Mental Health.
We may recognise and grant credit for past education or qualifications in a process called advanced standing. If you're eligible for advanced standing, this can impact the number of units you need to study, reducing the time and cost of your overall degree. To find out more about advanced standing, get in touch with one of our Enrolment Advisors on 1300 863 819.
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 masters degree in mental health.
