Master of Mental Health Nursing

Students who complete the Master of Mental Health Nursing have the opportunity to expand and refresh in areas of current expertise, enter into a mental health nursing career or to gain advancement in the mental health nursing profession. 

For graduates that reach the Graduate Diploma exit point of the Masters, and who hold registration as a Registered Nurse, can use this qualification to apply for credentialed Mental Health Nurse status with the Australian College of Mental Health Nurses, the only specialist award for this discipline.

Higher education

To qualify for entry into the Master of Mental Health Nursing, all applicants must:

• Be a Registered Nurse and;
• Have access to mental health nurse practice or to mental health nurse practitioners during their degree of study, and;
• Be proficient in English.

Special requirements

Studying online requires: 

• A PC or Mac with the latest operating system 

• A fast, reliable internet connection 

• The latest version of Internet Explorer, Chrome or Firefox 

• the Blackboard app 

Sometimes, specific software or textbooks are required.

Depending on previous work experience or study, you may be eligible to receive advanced standing against some of your subjects of study — letting you graduate sooner, for less. Learn more about the process of applying for advanced standing at Southern Cross University.

Specialise in mental health and deliver better outcomes for patients with a Master of Mental Health Nursing from Southern Cross University Online. 

The degree can be completed in as little as two-years, part-time, and is designed to equip you with the skills you need to respond to the unique challenges and opportunities facing mental health nursing. 

Students will learn from clinically active mental health academics and gain advanced knowledge, expert skills and the confidence to help people with a lived experience of mental illness.

Recommended Study Pattern

To graduate with a Master of Mental Health Nursing, you must complete the below 11 core subjects, and one elective subject.

    Core Subjects (complete all)

• Contemporary Mental Health
• Mental Health Across the Lifespan
• Mental Health in Community, Non-government and Private Settings
• Acute Mental Health
• Appraising Evidence
• Physical Healthcare in Mental Health
• Supporting Behaviour Change in Mental Health
• Healthcare Professional Portfolio A
• Applied Leadership in Mental Health Clinical Practice
• Developing Skills in Contemporary Psychotherapies
• Discovery and Enquiry in Health: The Critical Literature Review

Award Requirements

To receive the Master of Mental Health Nursing, 12 subjects (144 credit points) must be complete, which include:

• all 11 core subjects, and
• 1 elective subject.

Exit Points

There are flexible entry and exit points for this degree. The eligibility to exit with the Graduate Certificate in Mental Health is available after completing 48 credit points, which is made up of the first 4 core subjects.

Students may be eligible to exit with the Graduate Diploma in Mental Health Nursing after completing 96 credit points, which includes successful completion of the first 8 core subjects.

Choose your subjects

Electives

Electives (choose one)

• Health Systems, Policies and Practices
• Leadership and Management in Health
• Leading Change in Healthcare
• Principles and Practice of Clinical Accountability
• Social and Emotional Competence in the Workplace
• Teaching and Supervision in a Clinical Setting
• The Positive Leader
• Marketing
• Organisational Change and Development
• Human Resource Management
• Organisational Behaviour
• Project Management Principles
• Business Accounting for Managers
• Management Communication