Study Mental Health Nursing

One in two Australians will experience mental illness at some point in their life. The need for mental health nurses across all cultures and economies is escalating, and new models of care are being established to meet the specific needs of these people. The Master of Mental Health Nursing will help you develop the specialised skills and knowledge to advance your career in this challenging and rewarding area of healthcare.

Why study with us?

  • Join the largest cohort of mental health nursing students in Australia at the University of Newcastle.
  • You will receive support during your studies from experts such as Professor Rhonda Wilson and Conjoint Professor Michael Hazleton who are experienced mental health nurses you will undertake learning and assessment that will prepare you to meet the needs of consumers and their communities as well as employers.
  • Study online at your own pace – the University of Newcastle’s advanced online learning system will allow you to achieve your Master of Mental Health Nursing at a time that suits you.
  • High demand for nurses – projected shortage of nurses makes qualified mental health nurses highly sought after.
  • Graduates of the Master of Mental Health Nursing are eligible to apply for credentialling with the Australian College of Mental Health Nurses.
  • Save up to 70% with a commonwealth-supported place.
  • $1937 median weekly income - for Registered Nurses before tax (Labourmarketinsights.gov.au).
  • Be in demand - 40,400 new Registered Nurses needed with 13.9% projected employment growth by 2026 (Labourmarketinsights.gov.au).

Study a Master of Mental Health Nursing

Webinar: Mental Health Nursing

27 March 12noon AEST

Register now

World top 38 ? for Nursing
96.4% employed ? within four months of graduating
$90,900 ? median starting salary for postgraduate Nursing & Midwifery graduates – above the national average

What you will study

The Master of Mental Health Nursing is intended for Registered Nurses wishing to undertake a specialist qualification in Mental Health Nursing. The main focus is on clinical practice in the area of mental health service provision.

In addition to providing foundational studies in mental health, the program also provides opportunities to study topics of particular interest such as:

  • Talking therapies
  • The delivery of psycho-social and psycho-educational interventions
  • Mental health care for older people
  • Illness management and recovery
  • Mental health in primary care
  • Forensic mental health
  • Youth and young adult mental health
2024 Program Handbook

Refer to the program handbook for details of the complete program structure, course requirements and availability.

View program handbook

My Degree Planner

Use our degree planner to see what your study journey through the Master of Mental Health Nursing might look like.

Prospective student planner Current student planner

Career

Career opportunities

Mental health nursing is as rewarding as it is challenging; your work as a mental health nurse will play a significant role in supporting and treating people who need individualised, person-centred recovery care to achieve sustainable wellness. With the Master of Mental Health Nursing, you can achieve clinical excellence and help people on their path to recovery.

Prospective 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

Application info

Applying for Master of Mental Health Nursing

Ok, great, let's go!

Applications to study are now open. Submit your application now.

Important: If you have a completed Bachelor of Nursing, and are yet to complete postgraduate study, please ensure that certified copies of undergraduate academic transcripts are included with your application. You must also provide details of a minimum of one year's experience, documented in a professional curriculum vitae (CV).

If you are a hospital trained nurse, please provide details of a minimum of eight year's experience, documented in a professional CV.

Download an example CV (PDF, 396KB)

Apply to study in Australia

Applications to study are now open. Submit your application now.

Important: If you have a completed Bachelor of Nursing, and are yet to complete postgraduate study, please ensure that certified copies of undergraduate academic transcripts are included with your application. You must also provide details of a minimum of one year's experience (documented in a professional curriculum vitae)

If you are a hospital trained nurse, please provide details of a minimum of eight year's experience (documented in a professional curriculum vitae).

Download an example CV (PDF, 396KB)

Apply to study online

This program is open to online international students. Applications to study online are now open.

Before you get started

To ensure that the process goes smoothly for you, you should complete the following steps before applying:

  1. Review the program that you wish to apply for. Note the admission criteria, admission instructions, requirements & structure and any additional information listed.
  2. Review the program fees and costs.
  3. Check whether your postgraduate program has a Semester or a Trimester closing date. Please view the application closing date.
  4. If you are from a non-English-speaking background, you need to satisfy the University's English language requirements and ensure that you can provide evidence of your English proficiency if required.

You will be considered for entry based on criteria such as your undergraduate studies and/or equivalent prior learning and/or relevant work experience.

Postgraduate application process

Clinical supervision

Throughout the Master of Mental Health Nursing Program, you will be required to reflect on your experience. The use of a clinical supervisor may be helpful in this.

Other things to consider

Make sure you double check the special entry requirements, assumed knowledge or recommended studies for the degree:

Domestic Applicants

Applicants must be a Registered Nurse with:

  • Honours; or
  • A postgraduate qualification; or
  • A minimum of one year's practice in nursing; or
  • A minimum of one year's practice in another health profession.
International Offshore Applicants

Applicants must be a Registered Nurse in their own country, with

  • A postgraduate qualification (equivalent to AQF level 8 or higher); or
  • A minimum of one year's practice in nursing; or
  • A minimum of one year's practice in another health profession.

Accepted work experience may include pre-registration experience and is not required to be undertaken full time and can be undertaken as an Enrolled Nurse, or Registered Nurse or any health profession.

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

You can look at Uni prep for options to brush up on knowledge before you start.

View University key dates