The Master of Mental Health Sciences is a 72-unit program, involving coursework and a research project. It is offered by the Faculty of Health Sciences.

The course articulates with the Graduate Certificate in Health (Mental Health Sciences) and the Graduate Diploma in Mental Health Sciences students who hold this award are awarded credit for topics already taken.

The program may be completed in two years full-time or not less than four years part-time.

Admission requirements

Applicants must hold an approved undergraduate degree or equivalent qualification in a health-related area, eg nursing, medicine, social work, psychology, occupational therapy, behavioural science or counselling, and have a minimum of two years' mental health clinical experience.

The selection process for the Master of Mental Health Sciences includes an interview process that involves techniques aimed at assessing personal characteristics compatible with the learning approaches taken in this program, and considered both essential and desirable for a career as a specialist mental health worker. These include attributes such as the ability to use a problem-based learning approach, collaborative learning, motivation to practise in mental health sciences, communication skills and trainability and flexibility.

All applicants must attach to their application a statement of 300-500 words detailing the reasons for seeking the qualification, the relevant experience they would bring to the clinical modality, the value of the qualification to their clients and clinical practice and/or organisation.

Course aims

The course is designed to equip graduates from a variety of health backgrounds with a sound knowledge and understanding of the theory, principles and practice of mental health sciences.

Learning outcomes

At the completion of the course, students are expected to be able to

  • assess, treat and evaluate clients presenting with a wide variety of problems to a high standard of clinical competency consistent with current Best Practice as recognised within the field of CBT and more widely in mental health sciences
  • act as the main therapist, liaising with other professionals
  • educate others (health professionals, clients and families) regarding mental health sciences and with particular reference to CBT;
  • act as clinical supervisors to other health professionals on issues relating to mental health sciences and CBT
  • undertake research in the field of mental health sciences.

Program of study

To qualify for the Masters of Mental Health Sciences, a student must complete 72 units with a grade of P or NGP or better in each topic, according to the program of study below.

Core - Year 1 topics


36 units comprising
 
 MHSC8019  Clinical Case Management 1A  (4.5 units)
 MHSC8020  Theoretical Foundations in Behavioural-Cognitive Psychotherapy 1  (4.5 units)
 MHSC8021  Theory and Practice of Behavioural-Cognitive Psychotherapy 1  (4.5 units)
 MHSC8022  Clinical Case Management 1B  (4.5 units)
 MHSC8023  Co-morbid Mental Health Substance Abuse Disorders  (4.5 units)
 MHSC8024  Theoretical Foundations in Behavioural-Cognitive Psychotherapy 2  (4.5 units)
 MHSC8025  Theory and Practice of Behavioural-Cognitive Psychotherapy 2  (4.5 units)
 MHSC8026  Research in Psychotherapy  (4.5 units)

Core - Year 2 topics


27 units comprising

 MHSC8027A  Clinical Practice Project A  (4.5 units)
 MHSC8027B  Clinical Practice Project B  (9 units)
 MHSC8028  Professional Issues in Practice  (4.5 units)
 MHSC8029  Clinical Case Management 2A  (4.5 units)
 MHSC8030  Clinical Case Management 2B  (4.5 units)

Elective - Year 2 topics


Select 9 units from the topics listed below:

 MHSC8111  Managing Chronic Conditions - Self-Management Support Approaches  (4.5 units)
 MHSC8112  Perspectives on Chronic Diseases Management  (4.5 units)
 MMED9110  Principles of Pharmacology and Therapeutics  (4.5 units)
 MMED9111  Pharmacology for Advanced Professional Practice  (4.5 units)