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.

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.

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

Indicative total fee $11,650

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.

Learn more about ECU.

Explore ECU courses.

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.

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

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.)