Master of Nursing (Mental Health)

Study UniSQ’s Master of Nursing (Mental Health) and grow your understanding of the theoretical underpinnings of mental health nursing, and develop skills and knowledge of a recovery-focused, person-centred approach to mental health nursing care.

1. Display an advanced body of seminal, conceptual and data-based knowledge in nursing
2. Communicate an advanced knowledge of research principles and methods applicable to health and nursing
3. Review conceptual and data-based literature using cognitive and technical skills to critique, evaluate and identify best evidence to improve individual, community and population health outcomes
4. Apply evidence-based decision-making to clinical, policy, education and/or practice situations
5. Lead people and projects in diverse situations with a high degree of creativity, autonomy and accountability, demonstrating appropriate judgement and responsibility as an expert practitioner
6. Communicate at a high level in interpersonal, inter-professional and intercultural situations with people of diverse ages, backgrounds and needs.
7. Employ advanced skills in competent, caring and professional nursing practice.

Study the Master of Nursing (Mental Health) and develop your clinical practice by expanding your knowledge and understanding of this rewarding specialist area. Grow your understanding of the theoretical underpinnings of mental health nursing, and develop skills and knowledge of a recovery-focused, person-centred approach to mental health nursing care. You will gain an understanding of the legislation, policies and standards that apply to contemporary mental health nursing practice.

The Master of Nursing can be studied online and part-time, so you can progress your nursing career while fitting study into your life and occupation. Build specialist skills to review data-based research while identifying and implementing best practice for improving individual and community health outcomes. Develop advanced knowledge and skills in the development, analysis and application of health policies and health research through an independent research project to progress your own area of practice. 

Recommended study pattern

Core Courses

HEA8001 Contexts of Practice

MHN5120 Advanced Mental Health Nursing 1

NUR8060 Health Policy Analysis and Review

MHN5160 Advanced Mental Health Nursing 2

NUR8340 The Law and Health Care Practice OR HEA8302 Culture as a Determinant of Health

HSC8050 Research Methodology for the Human Sciences

HSC8060 Research Project Design

NUR8550 Professional Studies 1

Select two (2) of the following three (3) courses:

COU8103 Counselling Issues and Contexts

COU8101 Counselling Skills and Applications

COU8104 Counselling Frameworks

Clinical Pathway

NUR8075 Research Implementation Project

Approved Course

Research Pathway

HSC8070 Health Masters Project A

HSC8080 Health Masters Project B

Award requirements

Completion of 12 units as outlined in the Recommended Study Pattern section.

Choose your subjects

Majors

• Clinical Education
• General
• Gerontology
• Leadership & Management in Health
• Mental Health
• Rural & Remote

Electives

Approved Course List

HEA8101 Foundations of Gerontology Practice

HEA8102 Perspectives of Healthy Ageing

HEA8104 Alzheimers and Dementia: Contemporary Perspectives

HEA8105 Perspectives on `End-of-Life'

ANP8003 Management in Health Care Practice

ANP8011 Clinical Leadership in Contemporary Health Care Practice

HEA8201 Introduction to Clinical Education

HEA8202 Innovative Learning Strategies for Healthcare Environment

COU8103 Counselling Issues and Contexts

COU8101 Counselling Skills and Applications

COU8104 Counselling Frameworks

Exit points

• Upon completion of the appropriate 4 units, a student may apply to exit with the Graduate Certificate of Nursing.
• Upon completion of the appropriate 8 units, a student may apply to exit with the Graduate Diploma of Nursing.

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

Indicative total fee $5,980

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.

As Australia’s #1 university for graduate starting salary (Good Universities Guide, 2022), University of Southern Queensland is the right place to make real progress. Regardless of your education history, your age or your aspirations, at UniSQ you’ll be inspired by quality learning experiences matched with top resources and research. Having delivered distance and online learning for over 40+ years, UniSQ supports you to learn at your own pace—exactly how it suits you.

Learn more about USQ.

Explore USQ courses.

QS World University Ranking 2025, within Australia:

24

Times Higher Education World University Ranking 2025, within Australia:

25

• Completion of an Australian university or equivalent three-year bachelor degree in the area of Nursing.
• Current Professional Registration as a Division 1 Nurse, or equivalent, with either Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) or relevant regulatory body in applicant's home country.

All students are required to satisfy the applicable English language requirements. For entry to the Master of Nursing (Mental Health) program, applicants are required to meet the Category 4 English Language Proficiency requirements.

Candidates must complete at least six units of courses offered by UniSQ whilst enrolled in this program so at most six units of exemptions may be applied for on the basis of approved relevant study undertaken at UniSQ, other universities or the Australian College of Nursing.

Mandatory Residential School attendance will be required for the below courses. Residential Schools will be held at Ipswich, or Toowoomba campus.

• COU8103 Counselling Issues and Contexts
• COU8101 Counselling Skills and Applications
• COU8104 Counselling Frameworks