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CDU student Robyn Bennet
Postgraduate Coursework

Graduate Diploma of Mental Health

Not available to international students.

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This course is only available to Domestic students and your preference is currently set to International.

This course is only available to International students and your preference is currently set to Domestic.

Key details

Duration

1 year/s full-time
2 year/s part-time

Intake

Semester 1, Semester 2
Important Dates

Locations

Online
Not available to international students.

Credit points required

80

Course code

TMHLT1
SATAC/UAC codes

Overview

Our Graduate Diploma of Mental Health is designed for health professionals who hold an undergraduate degree, and are seeking to extend their knowledge and develop their foundational research skills.

The course addresses:

  • care delivery processes
  • critical reflection on mental health practice
  • the effects of policy and politics on health care provision, access and individual agency.

Cultural safety principles underpin the course design and reinforce the ways in which quality and safety are central to health care.

It is expected that you will already be employed or have recent experience within the health sector. As part of this course, you will undertake assessments which have direct applications to your professional practice and context.



Credit transfers and advanced standing

Pathways


Pathways for Higher Education to Higher Education

For information about credit transfer available to students with complete or incomplete study at this or other Institutions refer to Pathways for Higher Education to Higher Education

Credit transfer

For further information on credit transfer and how to apply visit ASK CDU

Credit transfers and advanced standing

Credit transfer

For further information on credit transfer and how to apply visit ASK CDU

Fees

Non-Commonwealth supported places

Full fee paying places are available in this course.

Information about fees and charges can be found at Fees and Payments.

Stephen Kho - Public Health Research

Why study a health course at CDU?

As an increasingly in-demand industry, there's never been a better time to upskill in the field of healthcare. Advance your career with CDU's wide range of postgraduate health courses to develop specialist skills and knowledge that help you transition into leadership roles.

  • #2 Australian university for postgraduate employment outcomes (GUG 2024)
  • Top 5 Australian university for postgraduate teaching quality in health services and support (GUG 2024)
  • Placements and research opportunities in the NT, across Australia, and around the world
  • Uniquely positioned to explore Indigenous and Asia-Pacific health, tropical medicine and other issues of international importance
Stephen Kho - Public Health Research

Why study a health course at CDU?

As an increasingly in-demand industry, there's never been a better time to find a career in healthcare. Become a qualified health professional with CDU's wide range of courses and gain the skills and knowledge to make an impact on the wellbeing of your community.

  • #2 Australian university for postgraduate employment outcomes (GUG 2024)
  • Placements and research opportunities in the NT, across Australia, and around the world
  • Uniquely positioned to explore Indigenous and Asia-Pacific health, tropical medicine and other issues of international importance
Stephen Kho - Public Health Research

Why study a health course at CDU?

As an increasingly in-demand industry, there's never been a better time to upskill in the field of healthcare. Advance your career with CDU's wide range of postgraduate health courses to develop specialist skills and knowledge that help you transition into leadership roles.

  • #2 Australian university for postgraduate employment outcomes (GUG 2024)
  • Top 5 Australian university for postgraduate teaching quality in health services and support (GUG 2024)
  • Placements and research opportunities in the NT, across Australia, and around the world
  • Uniquely positioned to explore Indigenous and Asia-Pacific health, tropical medicine and other issues of international importance
Stephen Kho - Public Health Research

Why study a health course at CDU?

As an increasingly in-demand industry, there's never been a better time to find a career in healthcare. Become a qualified health professional with CDU's wide range of courses and gain the skills and knowledge to make an impact on the wellbeing of your community.

  • #2 Australian university for postgraduate employment outcomes (GUG 2024)
  • Placements and research opportunities in the NT, across Australia, and around the world
  • Uniquely positioned to explore Indigenous and Asia-Pacific health, tropical medicine and other issues of international importance

What will I study?

This course consists of core units building on the foundation of specialist knowledge and skills, evidence-based practice, cultural safety and research appraisal. The course addresses care delivery processes, critical reflection on mental health practice and the effects of policy and politics on health care provision, access and individual agency. Principles inherent in in a cultural safety framework focusing on safety and competence are key elements underpinning the course design to highlight the centrality of quality and safety in health care.

Course structure


A candidate must successfully complete units totalling 80 credit points as detailed below. All units are valued at 10 credit points unless indicated.

Unit typeCredit PointsSpecific requirements
Core Units

(5 units)
50cp



Compulsory Core units totalling 50 credit points as per the list of units detailed below:



HEA521 Mental Health Law and Ethics

HEA522 Advanced Mental Health Practice

HEA523 Pharmacology for Mental Health Professionals

HEA524 Negotiating Therapeutic Relationships

HEA542 Informing Practice with Evidence

Specialist Electives

(3 units)
30cp

Specialist Elective units totalling 30 credit points selected from the list of available units detailed below:



HEA525 Emotional Intelligence in Practice

HEA531 Mental Health Care for Young People

HEA532 Mental Health Care and Trauma

HEA533 Mental Health Care during the Perinatal Time (available from 2022)

HEA534 Mental Health Care and Substance Misuse

HEA561 Health Assessment in a Bio/Psycho/Social Context



MAN509 Contemporary Management Issues (no longer included in this course from S2 2021)



Other related postgraduate units approved by the course coordinator.

Electives

(0 units)
0cp

There are no elective units available in this course.

 80cpTotal Credit Points

Course Rules (unless otherwise indicated in the above course structure)

 

Study plan


Students Commencing in Semester 1

The Recommended Study Plan provided below is suitable for a student commencing in semester 1 and enrolling in a standard full time load. Students entering this course with advanced standing, or wishing to vary their study plan due to work, personal, financial or other reasons should use the table as a guide to create an individual study plan.



When designing an individual study plan:

-    maintain the basic order in which units are to be attempted; and

-    check the assumed knowledge for each unit as some units assume you have completed foundation unit/s in the subject area.



Full-time Study Plan

Legend:CO = Core UnitSE = Specialist Elective
Semester 1Semester 2
Year 1
HEA521 Mental Health Law and EthicsCOHEA522 Advanced Mental Health PracticeCO
HEA524 Negotiating Therapeutic Relationships COHEA523 Pharmacology for Mental Health ProfessionalsCO
HEA542 Informing Practice with EvidenceCOSpecialist Elective 2SE
Specialist Elective 1SESpecialist Elective 3SE

 

Students Commencing in Semester 2

The Recommended Study Plan provided below is suitable for a student commencing in semester 2 and enrolling in a standard full time load. Students entering this course with advanced standing, or wishing to vary their study plan due to work, personal, financial or other reasons should use the table as a guide to create an individual study plan.



When designing an individual study plan:

-    maintain the basic order in which units are to be attempted; and

-    check the assumed knowledge for each unit as some units assume you have completed foundation unit/s in the subject area.



Full-time Study Plan

Legend:CO = Core UnitSE = Specialist Elective
Semester 1Semester 2
Year 1
  HEA522 Advanced Mental Health PracticeCO
  HEA523 Pharmacology for Mental Health ProfessionalsCO
  Specialist Elective 1SE
  Specialist Elective 2SE
Year 2
HEA521 Mental Health Law and EthicsCO  
HEA524 Negotiating Therapeutic RelationshipsCO  
HEA542 Informing Practice with EvidenceCO  
Specialist Elective 3SE  

Entry requirements

Admission criteria

Successful completion of a bachelor degree or equivalent international qualification in health or allied health studies.

Applicants who have a degree in social work, counselling or behavioural science may be considered if they have relevant employment experience.

It is expected that all applicants for this course have post-degree work experience with mental health in their relevant industry field in their application.

International entry pathway

International PathwayApplicants who have completed the CDU International Masters Qualifying Program (ZMQP01) or the Accelerated International Masters Qualifying Program (ZAMQP1) are eligible for entry. It is expected that all applicants have post-degree work experience with mental health in their relevant industry field included in their application.

Essential requirements

English language requirements

To gain entry into Charles Darwin University, all Higher Education applicants must satisfy the University's English Language Proficiency Requirements for their chosen course of study. International applicants will be required to supply evidence of this at the time of application.

The minimum English language requirement for this course is met by either undertaking previous education in an English-speaking country or undertaking one of the following English language tests and obtaining the minimum requirements listed below.

CDU English for Academic Purposes 4 (ZEAP40)Successful completion of EAP004 English for Academic Purposes 4
IELTS Academic ModuleA minimum overall score of 6.5 with no band less than 6.0.
Cambridge Advanced English (CAE)A minimum overall score of 176, with no skill below 169.
Common European Framework Certificate of English ProficiencyA minimum overall grade of C1, valid for three years from the date of the test to the date of commencement at CDU.
Pearson Test of English (PTE) Academic moduleA minimum overall score of 58 with no score lower than 50.
TOEFL Internet-based Test (iBT)A minimum overall score of 79 with a minimum writing score of 21.

* All tests are valid for two years from the date of the test to the date of commencement at CDU, unless otherwise specified.

* Where applicable, international applicants must also satisfy the Department of Home Affairs (DHA) English language requirements for student visa applications.

Do you have a question regarding English requirements at CDU? Please email: international@cdu.edu.au.

 

The people-first approach to flexibility and supportive learning environment at CDU meant I could find a balance with study, work and family life.

Nikki

CDU student

Nikki Govan

My advice for anyone who is considering studying a health or science degree at CDU is if you are thinking about it, just do it.

Nishat

CDU student

Nishat studying

The people-first approach to flexibility and supportive learning environment at CDU meant I could find a balance with study, work and family life.

Nikki

CDU student

Nikki Govan

My advice for anyone who is considering studying a health or science degree at CDU is if you are thinking about it, just do it.

Nishat

CDU student

Nishat studying

Course details

Accreditation

This course is accredited by the University in accordance with the Higher Education Standards.

Australian qualification framework

This course is recognised in the Australian Qualifications Framework at Level 8.

Additional information

Can offers be deferred?
Yes
Award
Graduate Diploma of Mental Health
Faculty/College
Faculty of Health
Sector
HE
Area of study
Health, Nursing and Midwifery

Contact details

For further information about the course, enrolment procedures, closing dates and other administrative issues please contact Student Central on:

Email:Student.Central@cdu.edu.auPhone:1800 061 963 (free call)

You make CDU

Together we are a positive force for change in our communities and the world.

You make CDU

Our students choose to study with us because we share the same vision – to make a positive change. Whatever your motivation is, we can guide you in the right direction.

You make CDU

Together we are a positive force for change in our communities and the world.

You make CDU

Our students choose to study with us because we share the same vision – to make a positive change. Whatever your motivation is, we can guide you in the right direction.

How to apply

There are many ways to apply to CDU. The method you use depends on your course type, where you live and whether you are a new or returning student to CDU.

Remember to apply early for your best chance at securing an offer to study with us.

SATAC

SATAC is the application channel for residents of NT, ACT, SA, WA, QLD, VIC or TAS.

UAC

UAC is the application channel for residents of NSW.

SATAC/UAC codes

Location
SATAC Code
UAC Code
Online (FF)
1GD530
872062
* CSP = Commonwealth supported place
FF = Full fee

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