Master of Mental Health Practice

Graduates of the Master of Mental Health Practice will have advanced knowledge in the field of mental health including:

1. The history, theoretical constructs and practice implications of a recovery-oriented approach when working with mental health consumers and carers.
2. Evidence related to prevalence, patterns, interactions, risks and outcomes for people experiencing complex mental health and comorbid conditions.
3. Methods relevant to research and evaluation in clinical and community settings and to critique and integrate research findings into practice.

With a strong focus on evidence-based mental health practice, recovery-oriented care and collaboration with consumers and carers, this degree equips you to work effectively with people living with mental illness, their families and support networks.

The Master of Mental Health Practice is designed for professionals ready to deepen their expertise in mental health, strengthen their clinical capability and progress their careers through specialised postgraduate study.

Highlights of studying the Master of Mental Health Practice

• Build expertise in suicide prevention, co-occurring conditions and applied counselling for complex presentations.
• Advance your ethical decision-making through professional ethics and professional practice studies.
• Learn alongside experienced practitioners from nursing, psychology, social work, occupational therapy and community services, gaining valuable interdisciplinary insight.
• Undertake a 200-hour placement in a mental health service to consolidate your learning in real settings.
• Complete an independent practice project or explore First Peoples health and practice to broaden your professional capability.
• Eligible students may receive credit for approved recognised prior study and/or relevant professional experience, so you could gain a masters in as little as 1 year of full-time study. 

Advanced clinical knowledge for contemporary mental health care

Develop practical skills to respond confidently to complex mental health needs across diverse populations. Studies in research foundations will enable you to critically evaluate evidence, apply best practice and contribute to quality improvement within your workplace. This strong academic foundation supports career progression and may contribute towards mental health worker accreditation, subject to your professional registration body.

Flexible postgraduate study designed for working professionals

Delivered fully online, you'll have the flexibility to balance study with professional and personal commitments. Whether you're a community support worker, rehabilitation practitioner, disability worker, police liaison officer or allied health professional, this qualification will expand your scope of practice and position you for leadership in mental health services.

Recommended study pattern

This program is offered full-time or part-time Online only. There is no requirement for on-campus attendance and access to a reliable computer with Internet access is essential. Students may choose to complete work-integrated learning in 7048HSV Professional Practice (which has on-site requirements), but it is not compulsory.

Award requirements

For the award of Master of Mental Health Practice (MMentHPrac), you must successfully Complete 120 credit points for one of the following:

• 120 credit points for all Pathway 1 - duration 1 year (80CP of study and 40CP for prior learning), or
• 120 credit points for all Pathway 2 - duration 1.5 years (120CP of study - related degree), or
• 120 credit points for all Pathway 3 - duration 1.5 years (120CP of study - any degree)

Exit points

To be eligible to exit with the 4171 - Graduate Diploma of Mental Health Practice award, you must acquire 80 credit points from courses listed in the program

The Graduate Diploma exit point is not available to students admitted to the Masters program Pathway 1 - 1 year program (80CP) related degree and work experience or related Graduate Certificate.

To exit, you should apply for a program transfer.

This degree may be awarded with Distinction where a student achieves a minimum program GPA of 6.5 with no failed courses. The words "This award was achieved with Distinction" will be recorded on the testamur.

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

Indicative total fee $25,500

The amounts shown here are 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.

With a network of campuses spanning three cities in South East Queensland, Griffith University is committed to progressive multidisciplinary teaching and research and a valuable online provider with Open Universities Australia.

Already attracting students from over one hundred countries, Griffith's dedication to academic excellence is available across Australia through OUA.

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QS World University Ranking 2026, within Australia:

18

Times Higher Education World University Ranking 2026, within Australia:

20

You can complete this program in 1 year or 1.5 years depending on your prior study and work experience 

To be eligible for this program, you must have one of the following criteria:

1 year duration (80CP)

• A recognised Bachelor degree (or higher) in a related discipline and two years relevant work experience
• A Graduate Certificate in Case Management and Mental Health (3404) (or equivalent)

1.5 year duration (120CP) - flexible entry

• A recognised Bachelor degree (or higher) in a related discipline

1.5 year duration (120CP) - foundation entry

• A recognised Bachelor degree (or higher)

Related discipline includes health/allied health discipline such as nursing, social work, psychology, occupational therapy, pharmacy, speech pathology, medicine, dentistry or other human services field .

Relevant work experience includes mental health, disability, rehabilitation or related human services settings.

English language requirements apply to International applicants and other applicants whose previous study was undertaken in a language other than English. The minimum English language requirements for such applicants for entry to this program are as follows:

• A minimum overall band score of 6.5 on IELTS (Academic) with no sub-score of less than 6.0
• OR an overall score of 79 in the internet-based (iBT) TOEFL with no sub-score less than 19 (applies to tests taken prior to 21 January 2026)
• OR an overall score of 4 in the internet-based (iBT) TOEFL with a minimum score of 4 in each of the listening, reading, and writing skills, and a minimum score of 3.5 in speaking skills (applies to tests taken on or after 21 January 2026)
• OR no score less than 3+ in each skill of the ISLPR (conducted by ISLPR Language Services only)
• OR a minimum overall score of 176 (no score less than 169) on Cambridge C1 Advanced or Cambridge C2 Proficiency
• OR an overall score of 58 in the Pearson Test of English (Academic) with no score less than 50 (applies to tests taken prior to 7 August 2025)
• OR an overall score of 55 in the Pearson Test of English (Academic) with no score less than 47 (applies to tests taken on or after 7 August 2025)
• OR an overall score of 70 in the LanguageCert Academic
• OR an overall score of 59 in the Michigan English Test (MET)

English test results must be no more than two years old.

The Direct Entry Program (DEP) pathway is not accepted for this program.

Applicants should refer to the English language requirements section of the following University procedure for exceptions to these overall requirements:

• Admission Procedure

Reduce the time it takes to finish your degree. You can apply to Griffith to recognise your prior learning, including:

• Formal learning through courses completed at uni and TAFE.
• Informal learning through workplace experience or volunteer training.
• Non-formal learning through social experiences and hobbies.

There are placements associated with this program and before undertaking professional experience placements, all students in this program are required to have completed the following by the end of their first trimester of study:

• Vaccinations and Health Tests
• Licenses and Certificates
• Online Training
• Health Placement Requirements

Students should refer to the checklist of professional practice requirements for their Health discipline on the Health Placement Support Hub for full details of the requirements regarding professional placement to ensure that they meet eligibility for placement.

Work-integrated learning activities (professional placements) integrate theoretical learning with its application in the workplace. The inclusion of work-integrated learning activities in the degree program demonstrates Griffith's commitment to preparing its graduates for success in their working life.

Students may choose to complete work-integrated learning in 7048HSV Professional Practice, but it is not compulsory.