Mental Health Science

This course seeks to develop professional knowledge and skills for clinicians delivering mental health care.

Depending upon their undergraduate studies students select from community mental health, child psychotherapy, psychiatrist in training or mental health nursing.

These specialisations aim to meet the specific needs of these disciplines within mental health services.

The course can be completed by coursework, or for those professionals seeking to build their research capacity, incorporation of a research project or minor thesis is available to address that need.This three-year, part-time degree is taught off campus by some of Australia's most experienced mental health professionals and researchers, allowing you to apply the latest thinking to your workplace as you study.

The course also includes an on-campus workshop.Whichever stream you choose, you'll graduate able to evaluate research literature, identify research gaps, conduct practice-based research projects and develop, apply and advocate evidence-based best practice.

Alternative qualifications

You may be eligible to exit your course early and apply to graduate with one of the following qualifications, provided you have met the requirements for the qualification during your enrolment in the Masters course:

• Graduate Certificate of Mental Health Science: you’ll need to complete a total of 24 credit points (12 months part time study), with a minimum of 18 credit points at level 4 or above.
• Graduate Diploma of Mental Health Science: you'll need to complete a total of 48 credit points (2 years part time study), with a minimum of 36 credit points at level 4 or above.

If you decide to graduate early, you will need to discontinue from the Masters course. You may be eligible to receive credit for the units you have completed if you re-apply and are re-admitted to this course or apply for another graduate degree at Monash University.

Qualifications

An Australian undergraduate degree (or equivalent) in a cognate discipline with at least a credit average (60 percent), or equivalent qualification or experience that the faculty considers to be equivalent, and relevant work experience.

English requirements

Applicants must also meet the English language requirements.

University entrance requirements

Minimum entrance requirements for admission to Monash University Australia.

Learning outcomes

These course outcomes are aligned with the Australian Qualifications Framework level 9 and Monash Graduate Attributes.

Upon successful completion of this course it is expected that students will be able to:

1.

critically evaluate mental health literature and identify gaps for research

2.

evaluate the effectiveness of mental health care interventions using appropriate research tools

3.

integrate a high level of discipline specific knowledge, research informed skills, critical analysis and evidence-based practice principles into advanced mental health practice

4.

initiate new or innovative approaches to the delivery of mental health interventions that empower clients and patients to become knowing and willing partners in the mental health intervention

5.

develop, apply and champion evidence-based best practice principles in their designated area of practice (community mental health/child psychotherapy/mental health nursing/psychiatry)

6.

provide leadership in mental health care policy and practice reforms

7.

exhibit cross-cultural competence and ethical values in the application of specialised, expert skills in the delivery of mental health interventions.