University of Newcastle

Master of Mental Health Nursing Online

  • Delivery: Online
  • Study Level: Postgraduate
  • Duration: 12 months
  • Course Type: Master's

Build advanced expertise in contemporary mental health nursing through flexible online study, exploring evidence-informed care, talking therapies and specialised mental health practice.

Course overview

Designed for registered nurses, the University of Newcastle's Master of Mental Health Nursing enables students to develop advanced knowledge and specialised skills in contemporary mental health care while continuing to work. The course explores the foundation principles of mental health nursing alongside key areas of practice including talking therapies, psycho-social and psycho-educational interventions, illness management and recovery, mental health care for older people, primary mental health care, and youth and young adult mental health.

Students can tailor their studies through the Custodial Health specialisation, examining topics such as health and substance misuse, the cultural context of custody and social justice within the justice system. Delivered fully online, the program provides a flexible pathway for nurses seeking to strengthen their clinical practice while balancing professional commitments.

Graduates are eligible to apply for credentialling with the Australian College of Mental Health Nurses, providing formal recognition of their advanced knowledge and expertise in mental health nursing.

CSP Subsidised Fees Available

This program has a limited quota of Commonwealth Supported Places (CSP). The indicative CSP price is calculated based on first year fees for EFT. The actual fee may vary if there are choices in electives or majors.

Key facts

Delivery
Online
Course Type
Master's
Duration
More Information
Can be studied part time
12 months (Full time)
Price Per Unit
From $2,565
More Information
The estimated per-unit fee is calculated using the annual average first-year fee. It is based on a full-time study load of 80 units (normally eight courses) per year.

From $640 (CSP)
More Information
You may be eligible for CSP where the government pays part of your fees. The indicative price reflects the average first-year annual fee, based on a full-time study load of 80 units (normally eight courses) per year.
Intake
New start dates announced soon
Units
More Information
You may be required to complete 0 credit point units throughout your course. The university will confirm this as part of your enrolment.

The unit total reflects the number of units required for course completion, not the total credit point weight. Some units may be double- or triple-weighted, so the number of units you complete may be lower.
8
Fees
More Information
FEE-HELP loans and HECS loans are available to assist domestic students.
FEE-HELP, HECS, CSP

What you will study

To earn the Master of Mental Health Nursing program, you must complete eight courses (80 units). Each course is worth 10 units.

Core courses (30 units)

  • Therapeutic Engagement and Psychosocial Interventions
  • Contemporary Mental Health
  • Introduction to Research in Health Care

Course list (50 units)

Complete five courses from the following:

  • Youth and Young Adult Mental Health: 12 to 24 Years
  • Health and Substance Misuse
  • Digital Mental Health Nursing
  • Mental Health Acute Care
  • Lived Experience Perspectives in Mental Health Nursing
  • Mental Health of Older People
  • Fundamentals of Forensic Mental Health Nursing
  • Advanced Forensic Mental Health Nursing
  • Cultural Context of Custody
  • Perinatal Mental Health for Health Professionals
  • Leadership and Change Management in Practice
  • Teaching and Learning in the Clinical Context

Entry requirements

Applicants must be registered nurses with one of the following:

  • Honours
  • A postgraduate qualification.
  • A minimum of one year's practice in nursing.
  • A minimum of one year's practice in another health profession.

Accepted work experience may include pre-registration experience. It is not required to be undertaken full-time and can be undertaken as an enrolled nurse, registered nurse, or health professional.

Work experience can be identified through a detailed curriculum vitae, a statement of service, or signed letters from employers confirming role, duties and period of employment.

English language requirements

All applicants must demonstrate that they meet the following English proficiency requirements:

  • IELTS Overall Minimum: 6.5
  • IELTS Sub-Test Minimum: 6

Contact the university for further information.

Recognition of Prior Learning

If you have previously studied or have relevant work experience, you may be eligible for recognition of prior learning. If your application is successful, you can reduce the number of courses you need to study, saving you time and money. Contact the university for more information.

Outcomes

Career outcomes

Possible career paths may include:

  • Clinical Mental Health Nurse
  • Clinical Nurse Consultant
  • Mental Health Nurse Researcher
  • Nurse Practitioner
  • Credentialed Mental Health Nurse
  • Health Services Manager
  • Mental Health Services Manager

Learning outcomes

Upon completion of this program, graduates will be able to:

  • Demonstrate comprehensive and well-founded knowledge of the discipline of mental health nursing.
  • Display effective written and/or oral communication skills within a multidisciplinary team environment.
  • Demonstrated ability to apply advanced knowledge in mental health nursing.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of research methodology and its application to research questions in mental health nursing and other health-related areas.
  • Demonstrated professional self-efficacy and leadership.
  • Demonstrated cultural competency and safety.
  • Displayed respect for the community and the environment.
  • Identified and critically discussed cultural, ethical, equity, nursing and research initiatives to close the health gaps for Australia's Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

Fees and CSP

Indicative annual fee in 2026: $5,117.67 (Commonwealth Supported Places)

Indicative annual fee in 2026: $20,520 (domestic full-fee paying place)

All costs are calculated using current rates and are based on a full-time study load of 80 units (normally eight courses) per year.

A student’s annual fee may vary depending on:

  • The number of courses studied per term.
  • The choice of major or specialisation.
  • Choice of courses.
  • Credit from previous study or work experience.
  • Eligibility for government-funded loans.

You may also need to pay the student services and amenities fee.

Student fees shown are subject to change. Contact the university directly to confirm.

Commonwealth Supported Places

The Australian Government allocates a certain number of CSPs to the universities each year, which are then distributed to students based on merit.

If you're a Commonwealth Supported Student (CSS), you only need to pay some of your tuition fees. The student contribution amount is the balance once the government subsidy is applied. This means your costs are much lower.

Limited CSP spaces are offered to students enrolled in selected postgraduate courses.

Your student contribution amount is:

  • Calculated per the courses you're enrolled in.
  • Depending on the study areas they relate to.
  • Reviewed and adjusted each year.

HECS-HELP loans are available to CSP students to pay the student contribution amount.

FEE-HELP loans are available to assist eligible full-fee paying domestic students with the cost of a university program.