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Graduate Diploma of Mental Health

Graduate Diploma

Course snapshot

Domestic snapshot

  • Course abbreviation

    GDMH

  • Course code

    1108103

  • Credit points

    96

  • Equivalent units

    8

  • Indicative Fee


Overview

Turn your passion for mental health into a career move with this completely online course, designed specifically for allied health and social care professionals who wish to increase their specialist knowledge and employment outcomes in mental health.

This course responds to contemporary mental health research and policy and has been designed with the input of leading clinical and academic mental health professionals.

Undertaking this course will enhance your clinical capabilities and theoretical knowledge of both current and future mental health practice, for the benefit of mental health consumers, your professional discipline and yourself.

Graduates may be eligible for up to eight units of credit towards the Master of Mental Health or the Master of Mental Health Nursing at Southern Cross University.

Please note: this course can be completed in 16 months of accelerated part-time study.

Course Learning Outcome

GA1: Intellectual rigour

Critically evaluates and integrates models of treatment relevant to the care continuum, to inform co-constructed personalized care strategies which meet the consumer’s life needs as well as health needs.

Generates/translates novel information or theories, making a substantial contribution to the discipline through scholarly activities.

GA2: Creativity

Engages creatively in therapeutic relationships with mental health consumers their families and significant others, which are characterized by co-construction of care and collaborative engagement.

Critically appraises the nature and extent of influences (social, political, economic and organizational) to overcome constraints in negotiation of options for clinical interventions.

GA3: Ethical practice

Advocates for mental health consumers, challenging discrimination and public discourse, minimising stigma through the use of positive portrayal and working toward social inclusion and independence.

Interrogates and challenges the concepts of risk and safety from the basis of consumer centred care considering social protection, legal, moral and ethical principles to balance risk in recovery.

GA4: Knowledge of a discipline

Exercises expert/enhanced clinical judgement and decision-making and insight in novel situations in specialist mental health disciplines in pursuit of optimal consumer outcomes.

Negotiates and executes the role of chosen mental health discipline in a multidisciplinary and multi-professional approach.

GA5: Lifelong learning

Consistently demonstrates a high level of autonomy, accountability, adaptability and responsibility in self-directed work and learning.

Engages in and leads others in collaborative critical reflection on clinical practice and achievement of lifelong learning outcomes.

GA6: Communication and social skills

Develops and maintains partnerships in care (individually and with groups) with mental health consumers and their families which focuses on the recipient of care, the person’s right to choice and self-determination, and the person’s inherent capacity for recovery.

Consistently and judiciously uses information technology, compelling and authoritative written and verbal communications.

GA7: Cultural competence

Respects individual worldviews and enhances their own critical thinking to lead others in challenging assumptions underpinning worldviews.

Adjusts clinical practices to incorporate consumer’s cultural perspectives into mental health planning and interventions.

You will study core units in contemporary mental health theory and practice, physical care, common interventions within acute care contexts, in primary mental health and in a range of health care settings.

Location Teaching period UAC code QTAC code
SCU Online Summer Term, Term 1, Term 2, Term 3, Term 4, Term 5 N/A N/A

Requirements

We encourage you to apply for the courses you most want to study. If you are not eligible to enter your chosen course right now, our team will work with you to find the best pathway option.

Before applying, make sure you double check all entry requirements, gather required documentation and review the University’s Rules Relating to Awards, noting any specifics listed below.

Entry requirements

A Bachelor degree or equivalent in a health, psychology or social science related discipline; OR

A Bachelor degree or equivalent, with evidence of extensive experience in the mental health field, deemed as equivalent to a cognate degree.

Language requirements

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 course are as follows

CategoryScore
Overall6.5
Listeningminimum 6.0
Speakingminimum 6.0
Readingminimum 6.0
Writingminimum 6.0

Course requirements

To be eligible to receive the Graduate Diploma of Mental Health, students must complete the equivalent of 8 units (96 credit points) comprising all 8 core units.

Exit Awards

Students may be eligible to exit with the Graduate Certificate in Mental Health after completing the equivalent of 4 units (48 credit points) comprising any 4 of the first 6 core units.

Course structure

Your course progression is in the recommended order you should complete your course in. It is important that you follow this to ensure you meet the course requirements. For further assistance see How to Enrol in Units using My Enrolment.

Students should use course progression information to select units specific to their course and enrol in these units using My Enrolment.

Unit Code Unit Title Available Credit points Notes

Complete the following units to satisfy the Requirements of the Award

First Year

MHNS5001 Contemporary Mental Health
Summer Term
Term4
12
Location Domestic International
SCU Online
Summer Term
Term4
Summer Term
Term4
MHNS5002 Mental Health Across the Lifespan
Term1,5
12
Location Domestic International
SCU Online
Term1,5
Term1,5
MHNS5003 Acute Mental Health
Term2
12
Location Domestic International
SCU Online
Term2
Term2
MHNS6002 Mental Health in Community, Non-Government and Primary Health Settings
Term3
12
Location Domestic International
SCU Online
Term3
Term3

Second Year

MHNS5004 Supporting Behaviour Change in Mental Health Contexts
Summer Term
Term4
12
Location Domestic International
SCU Online
Summer Term
Term4
Summer Term
Term4
PBHL5006 Building a Professional Portfolio
Term1,5
12
Location Domestic International
SCU Online
Term1,5
Term1,5
MHNS6004 Physical Health Care in Mental Health
Term2
12
Location Domestic International
SCU Online
Term2
Term2
PBHL6004 Leading Evidence-based Practice in Health
Term3
12
Location Domestic International
SCU Online
Term3
Term3

Unit Code Unit Title Notes
Core units
MHNS5001 Contemporary Mental Health
MHNS5002 Mental Health Across the Lifespan
MHNS6002 Mental Health in Community, Non-Government and Primary Health Settings
MHNS5003 Acute Mental Health
MHNS6004 Physical Health Care in Mental Health
MHNS5004 Supporting Behaviour Change in Mental Health Contexts
Students may be eligible to exit with the Graduate Certificate in Mental Health after completing any 4 of the above 6 units.
PBHL6004 Leading Evidence-based Practice in Health
PBHL5006 Building a Professional Portfolio