Graduate Certificate in Mental Health

For someone who is already a registered nurse they may find careers within a range of mental health settings, clinical nurse, staff development nurse, clinical educator.

Possible future job titles: Mental Health Nurse, Mental Health Clinician, Mental Health Practitioner, Mental Health Educator, Mental Health Nurse Manager, Case Manager

Higher education

The following course-specific admission requirements are mandatory and must be satisfied by all applicants. These requirements are in addition to or supersede the minimum requirements outlined within the Academic admission requirements band section below.

All applicants are required to have a Bachelor degree in a health, counselling, social work, occupational therapy, nursing, midwifery or psychology related subject; or equivalent prior learning including at least five years relevant professional experience in a mental health setting.

Work and Life

Equivalent prior learning, including at least five years relevant professional experience.

English Proficiency Requirements

Students can satisfy English competency requirements by showing any of the following:

• An IELTS Academic Overall band minimum score of 6.5 (no individual band less than 6.0).

• Completion of a Bachelor degree from a country specified by ECU.

• Completion of 0.375 EFTSL of study at postgraduate level or higher at an Australian higher education provider (or equivalent).

• Equivalent prior learning courses including at least five years relevant professional experience – as accepted by ECU.

• Completion of other tests, courses or programs as accepted by ECU.

Reduce the time it takes to finish your degree. For eligible students, ECU offers credit and recognition of prior learning (CRPL). There are 2 CRPL options:

• Credit transfer to acknowledge students’ formal learning at uni or TAFE.

• Recognition of students’ informal learning gained outside of the education system (for example workplace experience or volunteer training.)

The course enables students to critically evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of various management strategies for supporting clients with a mental illness in the community. Providing students from a range of health related disciplines with an overview of contemporary and evidence-based approaches to the delivery of mental health care.

Students will gain an appreciation of the historical context of mental health care and develop a range of assessment and intervention skills that can be applied in a range of mental health settings. The choice of an elective unit offers students the opportunity to develop knowledge and skills in a range of specialised mental health care contexts.

Recommended Study Pattern

As a guide, core subjects in this degree can include: 

• Contemporary Issues in Mental Health

• Assessment in Mental Health

• Child and Adolescent Mental Health

• Community Mental Health

As part of your application, you’ll be guided through how to get the right degree structure in place for you.

Exit Points

Students are required to complete 60 credit points.