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Postgraduate Course

Graduate Certificate in Contemporary Mental Health

Passionate about mental health? Seeking to develop your knowledge in this integral area while working in the healthcare sector. This is the course for you.

What type of student are you?

Domestic International

Murdoch code: C1166
Study mode: Part Time or Full Time
Duration: 0.5
Selection rank
CRICOS code
First year fee (domestic): $2,312
Full course fee (domestic): $2,312

Apply

The fees provided are indicative and intended only as a guide. They are based on a typical full-time enrolment for a first year student at Murdoch University of 24 credit points. The indicative fee is based on the applicable Commonwealth Supported Fee.

Overview

This graduate certificate is designed primarily for registered nurses who wish to develop specialist skills in the care of people with mental health issues. This course aims to develop excellence in contemporary mental health care to meet the professional development needs of graduates interested in specialist mental health practice and evidence-based therapeutic approaches to care.

You’ll work on formulating safe, caring, respectful, responsive, and therapeutic relationships with people with mental health issues across a range of healthcare contexts.

This course is recommended for Registered Nurses wanting to expand their knowledge and skills in the care of patients requiring specialist, or immediate mental health care. It will also be of interest to allied health professionals and nurses working in general areas such as ED, who are in regular contact with patients receiving immediate and ongoing medical and nursing care for mental health conditions.

3 Reasons to study Contemporary Mental Health at Murdoch

Study at your own pace with flexible, online learning.
Gain evidence-based skills and strategies that are immediately applicable to your work.
Take a step towards specialising in mental health practice.

Develop your skills

Build essential skills and knowledge to meet your career or study goals. Things you’ll cover include:

Learning to formulate safe, caring, respectful, responsive, and therapeutic relationships with people with mental health issues across a range of healthcare contexts.
Working to evaluate all accessible evidence to establish person-centred, collaborative decisions that contribute towards providing optimum mental healthcare.
Creating effective and collaborative interdisciplinary relationships that facilitate the implementation of evidence based mental health care.
Adapting to practising in complex mental healthcare environments whilst acting within appropriate professional, ethical, and legal frameworks.

Your future career

The Graduate Certificate in Contemporary Mental Health will start your journey towards specialist practice as a mental health practitioner. The course is designed to teach immediately implementable skills that are relevant to your role, providing a platform towards future development.

Accreditation

It is anticipated that the course will provide many of the criteria required for credentialed mental health nurse status with the Australian College of Mental Health Nurses. Discussions with the college are ongoing, so please contact for further details.

Professional accreditation

C1166 Graduate Certificate in Contemporary Mental Health is accredited by the Australasian College of Health Service Management (ACHSM). The School of Nursing promotes excellence and continual improvement of university education by providing a nationally accredited program. The ACHSM national university accreditation standards have been developed through broad consultation with employers, industry groups, health managers and universities, to ensure that graduates who complete these programs are competent to perform the core tasks they face in employment.

Professional recognition

Mental health nurse

Progress to structure

Study areas

Nursing

Apply to start

Please indicate above whether you're a domestic or international student intending to study at a Western Australian campus.

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View the dates for our teaching periods

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Progress to structure

Structure

To help plan the structure of your course, search for our suggested course plans.

Total credit points: 12

Unit code	Unit name	Credit points
Course Core		12 credit points
Required Units		12 credit points
SHP505	Contemporary Issues in Mental Healthcare	3
SHP506	Psychological Strategies for Mental Healthcare	3
SHP507	Drug and Alcohol Studies	3
SHP501	Safety and Quality in Health Care	3

Progress to entry requirements

Entry requirements

Means of admission	Minimum academic requirement	Minimum English requirement
Murdoch Institute of Technology (MIT) courses	Successful completion of one of the following: Murdoch University Preparation Course with a minimum of 50% in every subject MUPC (1 Trimester) Foundation Studies Course with a minimum of 50% in every subject.	Successful completion of the course AND satisfactory completion of at least 6 years of primary and secondary education, including at least 2 years between years 7 and 12, taught and assessed in English in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the Republic of Ireland, South Africa, UK or USA.
University study	Successful completion of 2 units at an Australian University or Open Universities Australia (OUA).	Successful completion of 2 units at an Australian University or Open Universities Australia (OUA) AND satisfactory completion of at least 6 years of primary and secondary education, including at least 2 years between years 7 and 12, taught and assessed in English in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the Republic of Ireland, South Africa, UK or USA.
Enabling courses	Successful completion of one of the following: OnTrack Flex, OnTrack Sprint or K-Track at Murdoch University. Murdoch FlexiTrack High program in Year 12. TLC – Learning for Tomorrow in Year 12. an enabling or bridging course at another Australian University.	Successful completion of the course AND satisfactory completion of at least 6 years of primary and secondary education, including at least 2 years between years 7 and 12, taught and assessed in English in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the Republic of Ireland, South Africa, UK or USA.

Murdoch Institute of Technology (MIT) courses
Minimum academic requirement Successful completion of one of the following: Murdoch University Preparation Course with a minimum of 50% in every subject MUPC (1 Trimester) Foundation Studies Course with a minimum of 50% in every subject.
Minimum English requirement Successful completion of the course AND satisfactory completion of at least 6 years of primary and secondary education, including at least 2 years between years 7 and 12, taught and assessed in English in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the Republic of Ireland, South Africa, UK or USA.

University study
Minimum academic requirement Successful completion of 2 units at an Australian University or Open Universities Australia (OUA).
Minimum English requirement Successful completion of 2 units at an Australian University or Open Universities Australia (OUA) AND satisfactory completion of at least 6 years of primary and secondary education, including at least 2 years between years 7 and 12, taught and assessed in English in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the Republic of Ireland, South Africa, UK or USA.

Enabling courses
Minimum academic requirement Successful completion of one of the following: OnTrack Flex, OnTrack Sprint or K-Track at Murdoch University. Murdoch FlexiTrack High program in Year 12. TLC – Learning for Tomorrow in Year 12. an enabling or bridging course at another Australian University.
Minimum English requirement Successful completion of the course AND satisfactory completion of at least 6 years of primary and secondary education, including at least 2 years between years 7 and 12, taught and assessed in English in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the Republic of Ireland, South Africa, UK or USA.

Means of admission	Minimum academic requirement	Minimum English requirement
VET course studied at school	Successful completion of a Certificate IV or higher.	Evidence of completing year 11 and 12 in Australia at any Level (Domestic Applicants Only) or Evidence of completing a minimum of 2 years of studies at TAFE or an RTO (Domestic Applicants Only). or a STAT Written English score of 140 or higher. AND satisfactory completion of at least 6 years of primary and secondary education, including at least 2 years between years 7 and 12, taught and assessed in English in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the Republic of Ireland, South Africa, UK or USA.
International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma	Total score of 24 or higher.	Does not meet English for direct entry. Evidence of completing year 11 and 12 in Australia at any Level (Domestic Applicants Only) Evidence of completing a minimum of 2 years of studies at TAFE or an RTO (Domestic Applicants Only). STAT Written English score of 140 or higher (145 if prior to May 2010). AND satisfactory completion of at least 6 years of primary and secondary education, including at least 2 years between years 7 and 12, taught and assessed in English in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the Republic of Ireland, South Africa, UK or USA.
Western Australian Universities Foundation Program (WAUFP)	CPS 54 or higher.	Does not meet English for direct entry STAT Written English score of 140 or higher. (145 if prior to May 2010) AND satisfactory completion of at least 6 years of primary and secondary education, including at least 2 years between years 7 and 12, taught and assessed in English in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the Republic of Ireland, South Africa, UK or USA.
Overseas Year 12	Please refer to the information under the country of study.	Please refer to the information under the country of study.
Queensland Certificate of Education (QCE)	Overall Position (OP) of 13 or lower.	Sound Achievement (4) or better in a Queensland Studies Authority approved subject of one of the following: English English Extension (Literature) English for ESL Learners. Evidence of completing year 11 and 12 in Australia at any Level (Domestic Applicants Only) Evidence of completing a minimum of 2 years of studies at TAFE or an RTO (Domestic Applicants Only).
Extenuating circumstances	We'll consider applications from prospective students whose education has been compromised due to genuine hardship, resulting in them falling short of entry requirements for an undergraduate course. Find out more.	Case-by-case assessment.
Minimum Selection Rank (WA/ACT/NSW/NT/SA/TAS/VIC)	70	Scaled mark of 50 or higher in one of the following (or interstate equivalent): English ATAR Literature ATAR English as an Additional Dialect (EALD) ATAR Or a STAT Written English score of 140 or higher. Or evidence of completing year 11 and 12 in Australia at any Level (Domestic applicants only). AND satisfactory completion of at least 6 years of primary and secondary education, including at least 2 years between years 7 and 12, taught and assessed in English in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the Republic of Ireland, South Africa, UK or USA.
GCE A Levels	Minimum of 6 points taken from the best 2 or 3 subjects where A*=6, A=5, B=4, C=3, D=2, E=1 (AS Levels are equivalent to half points e.g. A=2.5, B=2 etc.) or higher.	Does not meet English for direct entry STAT Written English score of 140 or higher. (145 if prior to May 2010) AND satisfactory completion of at least 6 years of primary and secondary education, including at least 2 years between years 7 and 12, taught and assessed in English in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the Republic of Ireland, South Africa, UK or USA.

VET course studied at school
Minimum academic requirement Successful completion of a Certificate IV or higher.
Minimum English requirement Evidence of completing year 11 and 12 in Australia at any Level (Domestic Applicants Only) or Evidence of completing a minimum of 2 years of studies at TAFE or an RTO (Domestic Applicants Only). or a STAT Written English score of 140 or higher. AND satisfactory completion of at least 6 years of primary and secondary education, including at least 2 years between years 7 and 12, taught and assessed in English in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the Republic of Ireland, South Africa, UK or USA.

International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma
Minimum academic requirement Total score of 24 or higher.
Minimum English requirement Does not meet English for direct entry. Evidence of completing year 11 and 12 in Australia at any Level (Domestic Applicants Only) Evidence of completing a minimum of 2 years of studies at TAFE or an RTO (Domestic Applicants Only). STAT Written English score of 140 or higher (145 if prior to May 2010). AND satisfactory completion of at least 6 years of primary and secondary education, including at least 2 years between years 7 and 12, taught and assessed in English in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the Republic of Ireland, South Africa, UK or USA.

Western Australian Universities Foundation Program (WAUFP)
Minimum academic requirement CPS 54 or higher.
Minimum English requirement Does not meet English for direct entry STAT Written English score of 140 or higher. (145 if prior to May 2010) AND satisfactory completion of at least 6 years of primary and secondary education, including at least 2 years between years 7 and 12, taught and assessed in English in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the Republic of Ireland, South Africa, UK or USA.

Overseas Year 12
Minimum academic requirement Please refer to the information under the country of study.
Minimum English requirement Please refer to the information under the country of study.

Queensland Certificate of Education (QCE)
Minimum academic requirement Overall Position (OP) of 13 or lower.
Minimum English requirement Sound Achievement (4) or better in a Queensland Studies Authority approved subject of one of the following: English English Extension (Literature) English for ESL Learners. Evidence of completing year 11 and 12 in Australia at any Level (Domestic Applicants Only) Evidence of completing a minimum of 2 years of studies at TAFE or an RTO (Domestic Applicants Only).

Extenuating circumstances
Minimum academic requirement We'll consider applications from prospective students whose education has been compromised due to genuine hardship, resulting in them falling short of entry requirements for an undergraduate course. Find out more.
Minimum English requirement Case-by-case assessment.

Minimum Selection Rank (WA/ACT/NSW/NT/SA/TAS/VIC)
Minimum academic requirement 70
Minimum English requirement Scaled mark of 50 or higher in one of the following (or interstate equivalent): English ATAR Literature ATAR English as an Additional Dialect (EALD) ATAR Or a STAT Written English score of 140 or higher. Or evidence of completing year 11 and 12 in Australia at any Level (Domestic applicants only). AND satisfactory completion of at least 6 years of primary and secondary education, including at least 2 years between years 7 and 12, taught and assessed in English in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the Republic of Ireland, South Africa, UK or USA.

GCE A Levels
Minimum academic requirement Minimum of 6 points taken from the best 2 or 3 subjects where A*=6, A=5, B=4, C=3, D=2, E=1 (AS Levels are equivalent to half points e.g. A=2.5, B=2 etc.) or higher.
Minimum English requirement Does not meet English for direct entry STAT Written English score of 140 or higher. (145 if prior to May 2010) AND satisfactory completion of at least 6 years of primary and secondary education, including at least 2 years between years 7 and 12, taught and assessed in English in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the Republic of Ireland, South Africa, UK or USA.

Means of admission	Minimum academic requirement	Minimum English requirement
Diploma or Advanced Diploma AQF level 5-6	Successful completion of a Diploma or Advanced Diploma.	Successful completion of a Diploma or Advanced Diploma. AND satisfactory completion of at least 6 years of primary and secondary education, including at least 2 years between years 7 and 12, taught and assessed in English in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the Republic of Ireland, South Africa, UK or USA.
Certificate IV AQF level 4	Successful completion of a Certificate IV.	Evidence of completing year 11 and 12 in Australia at any Level (Domestic Applicants Only), OR Evidence of completing a minimum of 2 years of studies at TAFE or an RTO (Domestic Applicants Only), OR STAT Written English score of 140 or higher (145 if prior to May 2010). AND Satisfactory completion of at least 6 years of primary and secondary education, including at least 2 years between years 7 and 12, taught and assessed in English in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the Republic of Ireland, South Africa, UK or USA.

Diploma or Advanced Diploma AQF level 5-6
Minimum academic requirement Successful completion of a Diploma or Advanced Diploma.
Minimum English requirement Successful completion of a Diploma or Advanced Diploma. AND satisfactory completion of at least 6 years of primary and secondary education, including at least 2 years between years 7 and 12, taught and assessed in English in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the Republic of Ireland, South Africa, UK or USA.

Certificate IV AQF level 4
Minimum academic requirement Successful completion of a Certificate IV.
Minimum English requirement Evidence of completing year 11 and 12 in Australia at any Level (Domestic Applicants Only), OR Evidence of completing a minimum of 2 years of studies at TAFE or an RTO (Domestic Applicants Only), OR STAT Written English score of 140 or higher (145 if prior to May 2010). AND Satisfactory completion of at least 6 years of primary and secondary education, including at least 2 years between years 7 and 12, taught and assessed in English in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the Republic of Ireland, South Africa, UK or USA.

Means of admission	Minimum academic requirement	Minimum English requirement
Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT)	Multiple Choice score of 135 (145 if taken prior to May 2010).	Written English score of 140 (145 if prior to May 2010) AND satisfactory completion of at least 6 years of primary and secondary education, including at least 2 years between years 7 and 12, taught and assessed in English in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the Republic of Ireland, South Africa, UK or USA.
Mature Age Pathway (MAP)	No direct entry.	No direct entry.

Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT)
Minimum academic requirement Multiple Choice score of 135 (145 if taken prior to May 2010).
Minimum English requirement Written English score of 140 (145 if prior to May 2010) AND satisfactory completion of at least 6 years of primary and secondary education, including at least 2 years between years 7 and 12, taught and assessed in English in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the Republic of Ireland, South Africa, UK or USA.

Mature Age Pathway (MAP)
Minimum academic requirement No direct entry.
Minimum English requirement No direct entry.

A recognised Bachelor of Nursing Degree (AQF Level 7) or equivalent in a health-related discipline.

English Requirements

You must meet a minimum standard in English to study at Murdoch, which for most courses can be demonstrated by providing evidence that you have completed Year 11 and 12 in Australia at any level if you are a domestic student, or through either English proficiency tests, university preparation courses, English language courses, previous tertiary study or vocational education.

Advanced Standing

Everyone has a different path to university so if you’ve already completed formal or informal learning, you could receive advanced standing. Also known as recognition of prior learning, advanced standing can reduce the amount of study needed to complete your degree by giving you credit for certain units.

Formal learning can include previous study in higher education vocational education or adult and community education. Informal learning can include on the job learning, various kinds of work and life experience.

Find out more

This information applies to courses offered at our Australian campuses only. Courses offered at our Dubai and Singapore campuses or delivered by Open Universities Australia may have different requirements.

Progress to fees and scholarships

Fees and scholarships

How much will it cost?

Instead of paying an overall course fee, you pay for the individual units you enrol in. The total course cost will vary depending on the units you choose.

Following your successful application, you’ll receive a Letter of Offer which will contain specific course and fee information.

If you are applying for an undergraduate course, you may be eligible for a Commonwealth Supported Place. Postgraduate programs are full fee paying, unless indicated otherwise in your Letter of Offer.

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Progress to how to apply

How to apply

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Your Document Checklist

Ready to apply? Before you start, make sure you have all the following documentation ready for a quick application.

Compulsory Documents

Evidence that you meet Academic entry and English language requirements such as;

Official Academic Transcripts and Certificates of Completion (of your highest academic study)
ATAR results (if available)
STAT results (if applicable)
Evidence of meeting the minimum English language requirements
School leavers applying for an Early Offer submit their Year 11 and 12 most recent high school report via TISC

Recommended Documents (if applicable)

Change of name documentation
Marriage certificate
Unit outlines if applying for Advanced Standing

All fees are indicative and are provided as a guide only. The actual fees will depend on the individual units you enrol in. You should refer to your Letter of Offer for specific course and fee related information.

The first-year indicative fee is based on a typical full-time enrolment at Murdoch University of 24 credit points.

For domestic students, including Australian citizens, permanent residents and New Zealand citizens, the indicative fee is based on the applicable Commonwealth Supported fee.

Indicative fees for international students are based on applicable full fee paying rates.

The estimated, indicative fee covers tuition fees only, and certain additional fees and charges may apply, depending on the course and units you choose. It also does not take into account any scholarships or bursaries for which you may be eligible.

The estimated, indicative fee assumes no fee increases or indexation. Over time, fee increases or indexation may occur and will affect the estimate. If you are a full fee paying student, this may occur at the start of your second and each subsequent year of study. In the case of Commonwealth Supported students, this will occur for each new calendar year in line with Government policy.

All fee estimates are provided in Australian dollars.

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Graduate Certificate in Contemporary Mental Health

What type of student are you?

Overview

Study areas

Apply to start

Sign up to hear from us

Structure

Total credit points: 12

Where could a health degree take you?

Entry requirements

Select which option best describes your path to university :

Higher Education

Recent Secondary Education

Vocational Education & Training

Work & Life Experience

Minimum academic requirement

Minimum English requirement

Minimum academic requirement

Minimum English requirement

Minimum academic requirement

Minimum English requirement

Minimum academic requirement

Minimum English requirement

Minimum academic requirement

Minimum English requirement

Minimum academic requirement

Minimum English requirement

Minimum academic requirement

Minimum English requirement

Minimum academic requirement

Minimum English requirement

Minimum academic requirement

Minimum English requirement

Minimum academic requirement

Minimum English requirement

Minimum academic requirement

Minimum English requirement

Minimum academic requirement

Minimum English requirement

Minimum academic requirement

Minimum English requirement

Minimum academic requirement

Minimum English requirement

Minimum academic requirement

Minimum English requirement

English Requirements

Advanced Standing

Advanced Standing

Fees and scholarships

Scholarships

How much will it cost?

How much will it cost?

Scholarships

How to apply

How to apply