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Course Information

Graduate Certificate in Mental Health

Effective from 01-JAN-2027 : Code L54

This course aims to provide students from a range of health related disciplines with an overview of contemporary and evidenced-based approaches to the delivery of mental health care. Students will gain an appreciation of the historical context of mental health care and develop a range of assessment and intervention skills that can be applied in a range of settings. The choice of an elective unit offers students the opportunity to develop knowledge and skills in a range of specialised mental health care contexts.
The course also enables students to critically evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of various management strategies within recovery orientated frameworks for supporting individuals experiencing mental illness.

Disclaimer

This course information may be updated and amended immediately prior to semester. To ensure you have the correct outline, please check it again at the beginning of semester. In particular please check the course requirements and the unit and unit set offerings, as these differ according to course delivery location.

Course Learning Outcomes

  1. Critically apply mental health theory, research evidence and evidence-based practice principles to inform safe, ethical, recovery-oriented, trauma-informed person- and family-centred mental health practice, fostering critical curiosity and a commitment to ongoing evidence-informed practice improvement.
  2. Analyse clinical and professional considerations in mental health practice to apply holistic, evidence-informed and reflective clinical and professional judgement and decision-making when responding to common and emerging mental health practice issues across a range of specialised healthcare contexts.
  3. Communicate and collaborate with individuals, families, carers, communities and interprofessional teams to support therapeutic, equitable, inclusive, culturally responsive and recovery-oriented mental health care that promotes social justice across diverse practice settings.
  4. Apply specialised, evidence-informed approaches to address complex mental health and related health needs through responsive care, mental health promotion, therapeutic interventions or quality improvement within a chosen area of practice, while developing professional capability and supporting ongoing growth.

Admission requirements

Admission requirement (Band 6)

  • Bachelor degree; or
  • Equivalent prior learning including at least five years relevant professional experience.

English Language requirement (Band 4)

English competency requirements may be satisfied through completion of one of the following:

  • IELTS Academic Overall band minimum score of 6.5 (no individual band less than 6.0);
  • Bachelor degree from a country specified in the Admissions Policy;
  • Successfully completed 0.375 EFTSL of study at postgraduate level or higher at an Australian higher education provider (or equivalent);
  • Where accepted, equivalent prior learning, including at least five years relevant professional experience; or
  • Other tests, courses or programs as defined in the Admissions Policy.

Course Specific Admission Requirements

All applicants are required to have a Bachelor degree in a health, counselling, social work, occupational therapy, nursing, midwifery or psychology related subject; or equivalent prior learning including at least five years relevant professional experience in a mental health setting.

Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) level

This course has been accredited by ECU as an AQF Level 8 Graduate Certificate Award.

Course Duration

  • Full Time: 0.5 Years
  • Part Time: 1 Year

Course Delivery

  • Online: Full Time, Part Time

Course Coordinator

A/Prof Irene NGUNE

Course Structure

This is a Programmatic Learning course. This Course uses a mix of Learning Units and Assessment Units which all connect together.

  • Learning Units are where students develop their knowledge, skills, and capabilities through regular activities and feedback.
  • Assessment Units are where students integrate, apply and demonstrate that learning.

Students will collect evidence of learning in a digital portfolio that charts their course journey, and can be used as a showcase to employers.

Level 3 Demonstrated
Stage A
Unit Code Unit Title Credit Points
CMH6109Contemporary Issues in Mental Health20
CMH6110Assessment in Mental Health20
and select one unit from the following six units:
CMH6215 ^Child and Adolescent Mental Health20
CMH6219 ^Evidence Based Mental Health Interventions20
CMH6217 ^Forensic Mental Health20
CMH6218 ^Perinatal Mental Health 20
NUR6123 ^Work Based Learning20
HST6350 ^Drug Use and Addictive Behaviours20
and complete
CMH6223 *Assessment Unit 1

^ Core Option
* Assessment Unit

Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005)

For the purposes of considering a request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005), inherent requirements for this subject are articulated in the Unit Description, Learning Outcomes and Assessment Requirements of this entry. The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the support for students with disabilities or medical conditions can be found at the Access and Inclusion website.

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