Graduate Certificate of Mental Health Nursing
2027 Deakin University Handbook
| Year | 2027 course information |
|---|---|
| Award granted | Graduate Certificate of Mental Health Nursing |
| Deakin course code | H579 |
| Course credit points | 4 |
| Course version | 1 |
| Faculty | Faculty of Health |
| Course information | For students who commenced from 2024 onwards |
| Campus | This course is only offered Online |
| Duration | 1 year part-time |
| Course map - enrolment planning tool | The course map for students commencing from Trimester 1 2027 will be available soon Course maps for commencement in previous years are available on the Course Maps webpage or please contact a Student Adviser in Student Central. |
| Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) recognition | The award conferred upon completion is recognised in the Australian Qualifications Framework at Level 8 |
Course sub-headings
- Course overview
- Indicative student workload
- Professional recognition
- Career opportunities
- Participation requirements
- Pathways
- Course learning outcomes
- Course rules
- Course structure
- Fees and charges
Course overview
Build foundational advanced practice in mental health with Deakin’s Graduate Certificate of Mental Health Nursing. Designed for practising nurses, this flexible course develops the core knowledge and skills to support people experiencing mental health challenges across a range of settings. In this course, you will explore holistic mental health assessment, major mental health conditions and person-centred approaches to care.
Develop your understanding of therapeutic and pharmacological interventions, alongside trauma-informed and recovery-oriented practice. Through a focus on the biological, psychological and social factors that influence mental health, you will strengthen your ability to recognise and respond to complex presentations. This course provides a strong foundation for working within multidisciplinary teams and progressing to further specialised study.
Indicative student workload
As an online student in the Faculty of Health you will be expected to spend 11-13 hours every week studying, interacting online and completing assessment tasks for each unit in your course. Refer to the individual unit details in the course structure for more information.
Professional recognition
Nurses employed in a health service with mental health postgraduate qualifications, may be eligible for a higher duties allowance relevant to their practice.
Career opportunities
As government and industry continue to focus on building and securing the mental health workforce, registered nurses with specialised postgraduate qualifications in psychiatric and mental health nursing are in strong demand, and in many services are a minimum requirement to work in the setting following an undergraduate nursing degree.
Deakin’s outstanding employment rate for postgraduate nursing means you can be confident in taking the next step in your career. As a graduate of the Graduate Certificate of Mental Health Nursing you’ll have the skills and knowledge to enhance your mental health nursing career in providing leadership to junior staff, and taking on more clinical responsibility, while enhancing your ability to work with consumers with complex needs.
Upon graduation, you may find work in:
- acute public mental health/psychiatry
- aged care services
- child and adolescent mental health/psychiatry
- forensic services
- mother and baby services
- community mental health
- drug and alcohol services
- private mental health
Participation requirements
At Deakin, we’re committed to creating an inclusive learning environment that supports all students to succeed. We work closely with students to identify and reduce barriers, and where possible, provide tailored support to help students engage with learning and assessment activities, ensuring every student has the opportunity to belong and thrive.
If you are disabled, neurodivergent, Deaf, and/or you live with the effects of a mental health condition, chronic health condition, or other condition that impacts your studies or participation in university life, we encourage you to reach out to our Disability Resource Centre for a collaborative and confidential discussion.
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Pathways
Course learning outcomes
| Course Learning Outcomes |
|---|
| Analyse and apply theories and evidence informed practice to facilitate recovery-oriented, trauma informed and consumer-centred mental health nursing care. |
| Apply advanced therapeutic communication skills and collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to promote the advocacy, agency and self-determination of mental health consumers, families and carers. |
| Maintain and advance mental health nursing knowledge and practice through the critical analysis of mental health research using digital technologies. |
| Apply critical thinking nursing skills through the analysis, evaluation, and critique of evidence-based sources to inform clinical decision making. |
| Assess, plan an deliver mental health nursing care to diverse consumers with complex mental health needs. |
| Practice independently demonstrating accountability and personal responsibility, whilst reflecting on nursing practice. |
| Collaborate with mental health consumers and the multidisciplinary team to optimise consumer outcomes and engagement. |
| Maintain professional and ethical standards of nursing practice whilst recognising diverse cultural and community perspectives. |
Note – From 2026, Deakin commenced introducing Graduate Attributes (GAs), which define the distinctive characteristics of a Deakin graduate. You may notice some courses still refer to Graduate Learning Outcomes (GLOs) during this transition period.
Course rules
To complete the Graduate Certificate of Mental Health Nursing you must pass 4 credit points. This includes:
- DAI001 Academic Integrity and Respect at Deakin (0-credit-point compulsory unit) in your first study period
- 4 credit points of core units.
Most units are equal to one credit point. Students are required to meet the University's academic progress and conduct requirements.
Course structure
Core units
| DAI001 | Academic Integrity and Respect at Deakin (0 credit points) |
| HNN761 | Biopsychosocialspiritual Mental Health Nursing Assessment |
| HNN762 | Person-Centred Approaches to Engagement in Mental Health Nursing |
| HNN782 | Recognising and Understanding Mental Illness |
| HNN783 | Therapeutic Interventions in Mental Health Nursing |
Fees and charges
Tuition fees will vary depending on the type of fee place you hold, your course, your commencement year, the units you choose to study, your study load and/or unit discipline.
Your tuition fees will increase annually at the start of each calendar year. All fees quoted are in Australian dollars ($AUD) and do not include additional costs such as textbooks, computer equipment or software, other equipment, mandatory checks, travel, consumables and other costs.
For further information regarding tuition fees, other fees and charges, invoice due dates, withdrawal dates, payment methods visit our Current students website.
Further information
Contact Student Central for assistance in course planning, choosing the right units and explaining course rules and requirements. Student Central can also provide information for a wide range of services at Deakin. To help you understand the University vocabulary, please refer to our Enrolment codes and terminology page.