Graduate Diploma in Mental Health Practice

Why study the Graduate Diploma in Mental Health Practice at UNE?

The Graduate Diploma in Mental Health Practice provides students with an opportunity to develop advanced level mental health assessment skills and evidence-based practice. The course is designed to equip graduates from a variety of health backgrounds with an ethically sound knowledge and understanding of the theory, principles and practice of mental health practice. The course is underpinned by the bio-psychosocial model of mental health and is designed to prepare competent, self-reflexive, multi-disciplinary health and human service professionals to support people experiencing mental health problems and their families. Throughout the course rural mental health is emphasised while maintaining a focus on urban, multi-cultural and international practices. Students in this course have the opportunity to work independently and collaboratively with peers in a manner that is respectful of professional commitments.

Career Opportunities

Advanced mental health practitioner in a range of generalist and specialist health and social care settings.

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Degree Snapshot

DURATION

0.5 or 1 Year Full-time
Up to 4 years Part-time

FEES

CSP (quotas apply)
Full Fee
International

2018 STUDY OPTIONS
Armidale

Trimester 1, Online
Trimester 2, Online

Official Abbreviation GradDipMentalHlthPrac
Course Type Postgraduate
Commencing
Location Admission Period Mode of Study
Armidale Trimester 1 Online
Armidale Trimester 2 Online
Course Duration
  • 0.5 or 1 Year Full-time
  • Up to 4 years Part-time
Fees CSP (quotas apply) / Full Fee / International
Total Credit Points 48
Entry Requirements

A candidate shall:

(a) hold an AQF Level 7 Bachelor degree in a health or social care discipline; or

(b) hold an AQF Level 8 Graduate Certificate in Mental Health Practice from UNE; or

(c) hold an AQF Level 8 Graduate Certificate or Graduate Diploma; or

(d) satisfy the School by means of other relevant qualifications and workplace experience [at least equivalent to Admission Rule (a)] of adequate preparation for candidature.
Additional Requirements

Inherent Requirements: Students must meet the Inherent Requirements in order to complete this course.
Advanced Standing

Candidates admitted under Rule (a), (c) and (d) are referred to the University Policy on Advanced Standing.

Candidates admitted under Rule (b) shall be granted a maximum of 24 credit points of Specified Advanced Standing based on their admission to candidature for units [(HLTH421 or HSMH421), (HLTH422 or HSMH422), (HLTH423 or HSMH423), (HLTH424 or HSMH424)].
Academic Colours

Peony Red (BCC 37)
Further Information

You can find instant answers to many of your questions or contact UNE directly via AskUNE

These course rules & plans are ONLY to be used if you commenced, transferred or changed versions in the Graduate Diploma in Mental Health Practice in 2018.

Admission to Candidature

A candidate shall:
(a) hold an AQF Level 7 Bachelor degree in a health or social care discipline; or
(b) hold an AQF Level 8 Graduate Certificate in Mental Health Practice from UNE; or
(c) hold an AQF Level 8 Graduate Certificate or Graduate Diploma, or
(d) satisfy the School by means of other relevant qualifications and workplace experience (at least equivalent to admission rule (a)) of adequate preparation for candidature.

Additional Requirements

Inherent Requirements

Students must meet the Inherent Requirements in order to complete this course.

Advanced Standing

Candidates admitted under Rule (a), (c) and (d) are referred to the University Policy on Advanced Standing.

Candidates admitted under Rule (b) shall be granted a maximum of 24 credit points of Specified Advanced Standing based on their admission to candidature [for units (HLTH421 or HSMH421); (HLTH422 or HSMH422); (HLTH423 or HSMH423); (HLTH424 or HSMH424)].

Period of Candidature

For candidates admitted under Rule (a), (c) and (d), the period of candidature shall be:
(a) one year as a full-time candidate;
(b) up to four years as a part-time candidate.

For candidates admitted under Rule (b), the period of candidature shall be up to two years as a part-time candidate.

Course Requirements

To qualify for the award a candidate must pass units to the value of 48 credit points, including a minimum of 30 credit points at 400 level and a maximum of 12 credit points at 500 level.

Program of Study

Candidates shall complete an approved program of study as outlined in the Course Schedule comprising:

For candidates admitted under Rule (a), (c) and (d)
Course Structure Credit Points
Core Units 42 cps
Listed Units 6 cps
Total 48 cps

To view complete Program of Study click here

For candidates admitted under Rule (b)
Course Structure Credit Points
Specified Advanced Standing 24 cps
Core Units 18 cps
Listed Units 6 cps
Total 48 cps

To view complete Program of Study click here

Award of Degree

Candidates who meet the course requirements shall be awarded the Graduate Diploma in Mental Health Practice.

Exit Pathways

Subject to meeting Advanced Standing rules, candidates admitted to the Graduate Diploma in Mental Health Practice under Rule (a), (c) or (d) and who apply to discontinue their studies in the course may be eligible to exit with the Graduate Certificate in Mental Health Practice upon completion of 24 credit points comprising units HLTH421, HLTH422, HLTH423, HLTH424.
Candidates who apply to discontinue their studies must apply for readmission and will be subject to current course requirements of the Graduate Diploma in Mental Health Practice. This may mean that they will not receive full recognition for their previous studies should the course structure have changed in response to University requirements.

Appeals

Candidates are referred to the Academic Assessment Appeals Policy and the Academic Assessment Appeals Procedures.

Course Progression

Candidates are referred to the Course Progression Rule and the Course Progression Procedures.

Improper Conduct

Candidates are referred to the Student Coursework Academic Misconduct Rule and the Student Coursework Academic Misconduct Procedures.

Course Aims

The Graduate Diploma of Mental Health Practice aims to provide students, from a range of health and social care backgrounds, with the opportunity to systematically develop knowledge, skills and attitudes for contemporary mental health practice; and meet the 2013 National Practice Standards for the mental health workforce.
Learning Outcomes Upon completion of this course, students will be able to:
  1. critically analyse the theoretical knowledge of mental health practice (including substance related and behavioural addictions) and apply evidence-based principles to meet the needs of mental health consumers, carers and families, and communities in a range of contexts;
  2. critically apply advanced knowledge of evidence-based focused psychological strategies used for diverse client groups in a range of settings;
  3. critically reflect on the application of mental health theory, team dynamics and effective communication in practice and the role of ongoing supervision and self-reflection for practice development;
  4. conduct ongoing mental health assessment sessions in a competent, adaptable and professional manner in order to best meet the needs of the consumer;
  5. demonstrate application of legal and ethical principles to practice in ways that demonstrate respect for the differing needs of people from diverse cultural backgrounds across the lifespan and communicate reasoning underpinning decision making:, and
  6. demonstrate the application of person-centred, consumer-focused relationship building to evidence based mental health practice in a range of health and social care settings.
Graduate Attributes
Knowledge of a Discipline

Graduates will have knowledge of their discipline including a global perspective for application in the field of mental health.Graduates will possess the capacity to acquire and apply a wide range of policy, practices and scholarship in a real-world mental health practice context.

Communication Skills

Graduates will have sound oral and written skills and the capacity to communicate ideas and information effectively to a range of audiences, including mental health consumers, their families/significant others and communities.

Problem Solving

Graduates will apply logical, critical, self-reflexive and creative thinking to solve a range of problems in mental health contexts.

Information Literacy

Graduates will recognise when information is needed, and identify, evaluate and effectively use information as required.

Ethical Conduct and Social Responsibility

Graduates will understand how to reason and behave ethically within their discipline, within interprofessional teams and in the broader contexts of mental health practice. They will be able to account for and engage with cultural, ethical, economic, legal and social dimensions encountered in practice.

Lifelong Learning

Graduates will be prepared for lifelong learning in pursuit of personal and professional development including the need for supervision for mental health practice development.

Independence and Collaboration

Graduates will be able to work independently and collaboratively to achieve individual and common goals to improve health and wellbeing for mental health consumers, their families/significant others and communities.

How to Apply

Domestic Students

All domestic students apply through the link below

For more information, click here

International Students

International students apply direct to UNE through UNE International. This course is only available online (distance education).

For more information, click here

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