Graduate Certificate in Mental Health

At the end of the program, students of the Graduate Certificate in Mental Health can:

1. Communicate specialised knowledge, concepts and skills to a variety of audiences in the field of mental health practice.
2. Apply independent judgement when reviewing, analysing and evaluating complex problems to generate creative solutions.
3. Demonstrate professional clinical management skills by initiating, planning, implementing and evaluating tasks within a Mental Health context.

This course aims to provide students from a range of health related disciplines with an overview of contemporary and evidenced-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. The course also enables students to critically evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of various management strategies for supporting clients with a mental illness in the community.

Recommended study pattern

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

• Contemporary Issues in Mental Health
• Assessment in Mental Health.

And a list of electives to choose from. As part of your application, you’ll be guided through how to get the right degree structure in place for you.

Award requirements

Students are required to complete 60 credit points.

Open Universities Australia is a not-for-profit organisation. You will not pay any fees for using our services.

Indicative total fee $2,350

The amount shown here is indicative for an Australian citizen studying full-time, which is typically 8 subjects per year.

Fees may vary depending on:

• the subjects you choose
• credit from previous work experience
• your eligibility for government funding loans or subsidies such as HECS-HELP or a Commonwealth supported place.

To learn more, go to Fees or contact a student advisor.

ECU is ranked one of the world’s best young universities and Australia’s best public university for teaching quality. That quality extends to more than 30,000 students, many studying online through Open Universities Australia. ECU offers the same quality of teaching to you, regardless of where you’re studying in the world. Their flexible study solutions include a huge range of online courses, recognising your need to juggle work, family or other commitments.

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QS World University Ranking 2025, within Australia:

29

Times Higher Education World University Ranking 2025, within Australia:

24

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.

English competency requirements may be satisfied through completion of one of the following:

• IELTS Academic with a minimum overall score of 7.0 and a minimum score of 7.0 in each of the four components (listening, reading, writing and speaking);
• Occupational English Test (OET) with a minimum score of B in each of the four components (listening, reading, writing and speaking);
• Pearson English Test (PTE) Academic with a minimum overall score of 65 and a minimum score of 65 in each of the four communicative skills (listening, reading, writing and speaking);
• TOEFL iBT with a minimum total score of 94 and the following minimum score in each section of the test:
  • 24 for listening
  • 24 for reading
  • 27 for writing, and
  • 23 for speaking.
• Bachelor degree from an approved country;
• Successfully completed 0.375 EFTSL of study at postgraduate level or higher at an Australian higher education provider (or equivalent); or
• Where accepted, equivalent prior learning, including at least five years relevant professional experience.

Note: English tests must be completed within 2 years of the proposed course commencement date and additional requirements may apply in relation to acceptable number of test sittings.

If you have completed units of study in another Postgraduate course or have relevant professional experience, you may be eligible for Credit and Recognition of Prior Learning (CRPL).

To assess your eligibility for credit, we first need you to apply for and accept an offer in your course of interest with us. You can then submit an Application for Credit and Recognition of Prior Learning via your Student Portal.