Master of Mental Health Nursing

CQUniversity's postgraduate offerings in mental health nursing are ideal for Registered Nurses who are looking to gain specialist qualifications for roles in various health care sectors working with people experiencing mental health problems.

You will gain an understanding of contemporary topics and issues relevant to all mental health clinicians, including recovery, physical treatments and psycho-social and educational interventions, interpersonal communication and dual diagnosis. Lessons are focused on mental health care across various settings including inpatient, primary care, community, and specialist services such as forensic, child and adolescent, and aged care.

The masters program is the final in a suite of three programs that begins with the graduate certificate, followed by the graduate diploma.  The masters program aims to enable graduates to apply advanced knowledge of state and national strategic directions for mental health care and provide the necessary skills to practice as a mental health clinician in all health care settings.  In addition, you will gain an appreciation of the holistic nature of mental health care including the cultural, spiritual, social, biological and psychological features of illness and health.  There is also focus on the delivery of appropriate care for Australia’s ethnic and multicultural society.

Designed to enable registered nurses to continue working throughout their studies, the mental health nursing programs are offered by distance education, with extensive support via online resources as well as access to help and guidance offered by nationally and internationally renowned academics at CQUniversity.

What am I studying?

The impact of mental illness within the Australian population has become increasingly apparent ranked fourth among the nation’s health burdens in 2010 bythe Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. CQUniversity's postgraduate offerings in mental health nursing are ideal for registered nurses who are looking to gain specialist qualifications for roles in various health care sectors working with people experiencing mental health problems.

Why Study at CQUniversity

CQUniversity’s health and medical sciences programs have been developed to meet the ever increasing needs of our communities both here in Australia and for the wider global audience.  

Many of our programs are extremely flexible with part-time or full-time study options and the choice of studying on-campus or by distance education.  This flexibility allows students to study from anywhere in Australia while they continue to work and balance family life and other commitments.

CQUniversity programs are constantly being reviewed and updated in consultation with industry and other stakeholders to ensure that they are relevant and up to date. In fact, our suite of new offerings has been built as a direct response to industry needs by people with specialised industry experience. 

Another key feature in the large majority of CQUniversity’s health and medical science programs is the integration of workplace-integrated learning, or learning on the job. Students are required to complete course undertakings in real-life workplaces, allowing them to put learning directly into practice.  This hands-on project-based learning is a key reason as to why CQUniversity graduates are highly sought after by employers.   

Home to the Institute for Health and Social Science Research for over a decade, CQUniversity is committed to delivering research outcomes that contribute to understanding, improving and promoting healthy, safe and viable communities.  The work being undertaken at the institute also informs the undergraduate and postgraduate curriculum for health and medical sciences programs.

Entry Requirements

To gain entry into postgraduate programs in mental health nursing you must have:

• English communications skills equivalent to Year 11 and 12 completion - English (4, SA)
• Qualifications as a registered nurse or a degree from a recognised higher education institution (as approved by the Head of Program)

Career Opportunities

On completing postgraduate studies in mental health nursing, you will be qualified to take a range of positions within the mental health industry across a variety of clinical practice settings, such as specialist mental health services, emergency departments and general practice in metropolitan, rural and remote settings.

Work Intergrated Learning

You will be required to undertake a number of hours in clinical placements during the program.

Program Structure

You are required to complete a total of 6 core courses plus your choice of research and practice project combinations.

Course Information

For example courses you could study as part of the Master of Mental Health Nursing program please click here.

As CQUniversity is committed to providing quality, up-to-date and relevant education, please note courses are refreshed regularly and may not be an exact indication of course availability for your study. Please call 13CQUni 13 27 86 if you have specific questions regarding course information regarding your specific application.

Residential School and Study Requirements

There are compulsory residential schools for some courses.

Professional Recognition

CQUniversity mental health programs are recognised as part of the credentialing requirements with the Australian College of Mental Health Nurses (ACMHN).  Approved applicants with the ACMHN will be awarded with a credential that is valid for three years and are entitled to use the title Mental Health Nurse (MHN).