Charles Darwin University
Master of Clinical Nursing (Mental Health Nursing) Online
- Delivery: Online
- Study Level: Postgraduate
- Duration: 3 years
- Course Type: Master's
Build specialist knowledge in mental health nursing through postgraduate study in recovery-oriented practice, therapeutic relationships and evidence-based mental health care within the Master of Clinical Nursing.
Course overview
The Master of Clinical Nursing (Mental Health Nursing) from Charles Darwin University is a postgraduate qualification for registered nurses seeking to extend their clinical nursing knowledge through specialist study in mental health nursing. Delivered wholly online on a part-time basis, the course is designed to support practising nurses through clinically relevant study that translates theory into practice.
You will complete the compulsory core units of the Master of Clinical Nursing before undertaking the Mental Health Nursing specialist elective units. The specialisation explores therapeutic relationships, recovery-oriented practice and evidence-based mental health care across diverse clinical settings. You will develop advanced knowledge of the biopsychosocial model of mental health, trauma-informed and culturally safe care, behaviour management and the assessment and management of mental health conditions across the lifespan, including substance use disorders.
On successful completion, you will graduate with the Master of Clinical Nursing. Through the Mental Health Nursing specialisation, you will have developed advanced knowledge to support leadership within your area of clinical practice across public and private healthcare, hospital and community settings, with opportunities in specialist practice, leadership and management roles.
Key facts
What you will study
To earn the Master of Clinical Nursing (Mental Health Nursing), you must successfully complete units totalling 120 credit points as detailed below. Unless otherwise noted, each course is worth 10 credit points.
Core units
Compulsory core units totalling 80 credit points are detailed below:
- Evidence in Health Care (20 credit points)
- Diversity and Inclusion in Health
- Nursing and Midwifery Professional Leadership
- Nursing Project 1 (20 credit points)
- Nursing Project 2 (20 credit points)
Mental Health Nursing specialisation units
Complete all 40 credit points of:
- The Therapeutic Relationship
- Mental Health Across the Lifespan
- Mental Healthcare for Substance Use Disorders
- Understanding Challenging Behaviours
Entry requirements
Applicants for this course must meet all of the following:
- Successful completion of a recognised bachelor's degree in nursing or equivalent international qualification.
- Hold current registration with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) as a Division 1 registered nurse.
- Current or recent employment for a minimum of 12 months full-time equivalent in the field of nursing specialisation.
All applicants must provide evidence of current employment or recent experience in their field of nursing specialisation.
Hospital-trained nurses with current AHPRA registration as a Division 1 registered nurse may also be considered.
English language requirements
The minimum English language requirement for this course can be met by evidencing one of the following:
- Successful completion of Year 12 within Australia or an equivalent qualification from an approved country where English is the official language
- Successful completion of at least 0.5FTE of higher education study from Australia or an approved country where English is the official language. If studies were completed from a country on the extended list, they must have been completed within the past five (5) years.
- Successful completion of a Charles Darwin University enabling program of at least 0.5FTE (40 credit points).
- Successful completion of a recognised TAFE qualification at a Certificate III level or higher from Australia.
- Current AHPRA registration as a Division 1 or Division 2 nurse. Registration must be current at the time of course commencement.
- Completion of an approved English test within two years of commencement, meeting the minimum scores.
Contact the university or visit their website for more information.
Recognition of Prior Learning
You may be eligible for recognition of prior learning if you have previously studied or have relevant work experience. This will help to reduce the number of units that you need to study to finish your course. Contact the university for more information.
Outcomes
Career outcomes
The qualification prepares you for being a leader in your area of practice across public and private health care, and in hospital and community settings. Graduates of the Master of Clinical Nursing are afforded a wide range of career opportunities including working in specialist areas of practice, leadership and management roles and being a leader in the nursing profession.
Fees and FEE-HELP
Estimated total fee in 2026: $42,024 (domestic full-fee paying place).
The estimated total fee is determined by individual units of study and the year the course was commenced.
Student fees may vary per:
- The number of units studied per term.
- The choice of major or specialisation.
- Choice of units.
- Credit from previous study or work experience.
- Eligibility for government-funded loans.
Student fees shown are subject to change. Contact the university directly to confirm.
FEE-HELP loans are available to assist eligible full-fee-paying domestic students with the cost of a university course.