Handbook : Course informationEdith Cowan University

Course Information

Graduate Diploma in Mental Health Nursing

Effective from 01-JAN-2027 : Code T88

This course aims to provide students with contemporary and evidence-based approaches to the delivery of mental health nursing 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 variety of mental health settings. Students will also gain foundation knowledge of a range of research approaches, to understand the standards for quality and rigour in research and the skills in operationalising research in mental health. The choice of elective units 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 various management strategies for supporting people with mental illness in the community.

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 evaluate and apply mental health theory, research evidence and evidence-based practice principles to strengthen safe, ethical, recovery-oriented, trauma-informed person- and family-centred mental health nursing practice across specialised and evolving contexts, fostering critical curiosity and a sustained commitment to evidence-informed practice improvement.
2. Analyse and interpret clinical and professional considerations in mental health practice to integrate holistic, evidence-informed and reflective clinical and professional judgement and decision-making when responding to common, emerging and complex mental health practice issues across a range of specialised healthcare contexts.
3. Communicate, collaborate and advocate with consumers, families, carers, communities, multidisciplinary teams and relevant stakeholders to support therapeutic, equitable, inclusive, culturally responsive and recovery-oriented models of mental health care that promote social justice across diverse and evolving practice settings.
4. Integrate specialised, evidence-informed approaches to address complex and emerging mental health and related health needs through responsive care, mental health promotion, therapeutic interventions or quality improvement within a chosen area of practice, while strengthening professional growth, adaptability and capability.

Professional Recognition

Course

This course has been Accredited by: Australian College of Mental Health Nurses (ACMHN).
ECU is the only university in WA where the Graduate Diploma of Mental Health is accredited by the ACMHN.

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's degree in nursing or midwifery; or equivalent prior learning including at least five years of recent and relevant professional experience as a mental health nurse.

Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) level

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

Course Duration

• Full Time: 1 Year
• Part Time: 2 Years

Course Delivery

• Online: Full Time, Part Time

Course Coordinator

Dr Jennifer HAMILTON

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.

^ Core Option
* Assessment Unit