Master of Mental Health

At the end of the program, students of the Master of Mental Health can:  

1. Effectively respond to challenges across a diverse range of mental health fields.
2. Offer well-informed mental health clinical interventions through mastery of theoretical and practical skills in the field of mental health. 
3. Apply expert clinical judgement and decision-making in mental health care settings.  
4. Advocate for mental health consumers, reducing stigma and promoting social inclusion and independence. 
5. Adapt to increasingly complex environments and work collaboratively across teams demonstrating expert leadership and management skills. 
6. Develop an evidence-based approach to effectively translate and apply theories and concepts that strengthen practice by ensuring informed decision making.

There is a growing need in our Australian healthcare system for highly skilled professionals who understand the complexities of mental health and can offer well-informed mental health clinical interventions. Southern Cross University’s online Master of Mental Health postgraduate course will enhance your understanding of mental health and psychology while building the skills needed to effectively respond to patients experiencing mild, moderate and severe mental health challenges.

This program is designed to prepare graduates for work within a range of health settings and disciplines. You will gain practical skills and specialised theoretical knowledge to extend or enhance your role in mental health.

Recommended study pattern

Core Subjects 

• Contemporary Mental Health
• Mental Health Across the Lifespan
• Mental Health in Community, Non-government and Primary Health Settings
• Acute Mental Health
• Leading Evidence-based Practice in Health
• Physical Healthcare in Mental Health
• Supporting Behaviour Change in Mental Health Contexts
• Building a Professional Portfolio
• Applied Leadership in Mental Health Clinical Practice
• Developing Skills in Contemporary Psychotherapies
• Critical Review in Health.

Award requirements

To qualify for a Master of Mental Health online, you must complete 12 subjects (144 credit points), comprising:

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

Choose your subjects

Electives

Electives (choose one)

• Envisioning Health Systems, Policies and Practices
• Contemporary Health Leadership
• Leading Change in Healthcare
• Governance and Accountability in Healthcare
• Social and Emotional Competence in the Workplace
• Effective Teaching and Supervision in Healthcare
• The Positive Leader
• Digital Marketing
• Organisational Change and Development
• Human Resource Management
• Organisational Behaviour
• Project Management Principles
• Business Accounting for Managers
• Management Communication.

Exit points

You may be eligible to exit with the Graduate Diploma of Mental Health after completing 96 credit points, comprising 8 core subjects.

To exit with the Graduate Certificate in Mental Health, students must have successfully completed 48 credit points, comprising the first 4 core subjects.

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

Indicative total fee $34,500

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.

Southern Cross University believes in the power of change. Their graduates stride the global stage at the frontline of healthcare, transforming education in the classroom, and tackling the world’s wicked problems with scientific and engineering solutions. Students enjoy award winning support, teaching quality, and online delivery. Ranked among the best for many years, they will help you make the change you seek to transform your tomorrow.

Learn more about SCU.

Explore SCU courses.

QS World University Ranking 2026, within Australia:

31

Times Higher Education World University Ranking 2026, within Australia:

32

To qualify for entry into the Mental Health Masters program, all applicants must:

• Have successfully completed a minimum three-year Bachelor qualification, or equivalent, in a health, psychology or social science-related discipline, and;
• Be proficient in English.

We may recognise and grant credit for past education, qualifications and/or work experience in a process called advanced standing. If you're eligible for advanced standing, this can impact the number of units you need to study, reducing the time and cost of your overall degree. 

Studying online requires: 

• A PC or Mac with the latest operating system 
• ​A fast, reliable internet connection 
• The latest version of Chrome or Firefox. 

Sometimes, specific software or textbooks are required.