Edith Cowan University
Master of Mental Health Nursing Online
- Delivery: Online
- Study Level: Postgraduate
- Duration: 18 months
- Course Type: Master's
Develop specialist mental health expertise through evidence-based practice, leadership development and research.
Course overview
The Master of Mental Health Nursing is for nurses who work within mental health services or wish to specialise in mental health.
This course will allow you to develop specialty knowledge and skills to enhance your career goals whilst addressing a growing demand in our communities for care of people with mental health challenges.
The course has a focus on evidence-based practice and leadership and management and will prepare you to support staff in the clinical setting using strategies such as coaching and mentoring as these are core skills required by nurse leaders and researchers. A significant research project is also a core unit of your study.
Key facts
What you will study
The course has nine units of study. Each unit is valued at 20 credit points.
Year 1 - Semester 1
- Contemporary Issues in Mental Health
- Assessment of Mental Health
Plus one (1) unit from the following:
- Child and Adolescent Mental Health
- Community Mental Health
- Forensic Mental Health
- Perinatal Mental Health
- Drug Use and Addictive Behaviours
Year 1 - Semester 2
- Evidence-based Practice and Research Design
Plus two (2) units from the following that have not been previously completed:
- Child and Adolescent Mental Health
- Community Mental Health
- Forensic Mental Health
- Perinatal Mental Health
- Drug Use and Addictive Behaviours
Year 2 - Semester 1
- Clinical Leadership and Management
- Research Project
- Coaching and Mentoring in the Clinical Setting
Entry requirements
You'll need to meet the admission requirements for this course.
Academic Admission Requirements (Band 8)
Academic admission requirements (Band 8) may be satisfied through completion of one of the following:
- Bachelor's degree in a cognate discipline.
- Where accepted, equivalent prior learning, including at least five years of relevant professional experience, would be great.
English Language requirements (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's degree from a country specified on the English Proficiency Bands page;
- 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 of relevant professional experience; or
- Other tests, courses or programs defined on the English Proficiency Bands page.
Recognition of Prior Learning
You can get credit for your course based on prior formal, non-formal or informal learning. To apply, you must provide supporting documentation outlined by the university. Please reach out to the university for more information.
Outcomes
Learning outcomes
- Critically reflect on a complex body of mental health nursing knowledge, research principles and methods to demonstrate mastery of mental health nursing.
- Apply critical thinking skills to investigate, evaluate and synthesise complex ideas, concepts and theories in authentic clinical situations.
- Apply communication and collaboration skills to analyse and design innovative contributions to professional nursing practice.
- Use high-level self-management skills to plan an evidence-based practice project.
Career outcomes
- Clinical Nurse
- Clinical Nurse Specialist
- Clinical Nurse Consultant
- Credentialed Mental Health Nurse
- Research Assistant (Mental Health)
- Senior Policy Adviser
- Senior Project Officer
- Senior Research Officer
- Patient Rights Adviser
- Team Coordinator, Project Manager
- Evaluation and Research Officer
- Mental Health Consultation Liaison
- Engagement and Support Officer
- Mental Health Clinical Care Coordinator
- Community Mental Health Team Leader
- Workplace Mental Health and Wellbeing Adviser/Coordinator.
Fees and FEE-HELP
Estimated first-year tuition fee in 2026:: $26,650 (domestic full-fee paying place).
All costs are calculated using current rates and are based on a study load of 120 credit points (normally six units) per year.
A student’s annual fee may vary per:
- The number of units studied.
- Choice of courses.
- 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.
