Graduate Certificate in Mental Health Practice
Why study the Graduate Certificate in Mental Health Practice at UNE?
The Graduate Certificate in Mental Health Practice is an interdisciplinary award designed to equip health professionals to support people with mental health issues and their carers. It is based on the Mental Health competencies in the National Standards for the Mental Health Workforce as part of the National Mental Health Strategy. Students will be introduced to the mental health care system in Australia and will learn practical counselling skills to enable them to work effectively in the mental health field.
The course will prepare health professionals to work in rural and remote areas, as well as metropolitan areas, and with people from all cultural backgrounds including indigenous Australians.
Note: Trimester 3: Off Campus Part-time Only
Career Opportunities
This is an interdisciplinary award designed to equip health professionals to support people with mental health issues and their carers. It will be relevant for all allied health professionals such as counsellors, psychologists, nurses, social workers, general practitioners, pharmacists and other health professionals working with or interested in mental health areas.
Need assistance?
Degree Snapshot
DURATION
0.5 Years Full-timeUp to 2 years Part-time
FEES
CSP (quotas apply) or Full Fee2013 STUDY OPTIONS
Armidale
Trimester 1, Off CampusTrimester 2, Off Campus
Trimester 3, Off Campus
How to Apply
Domestic Students
All domestic students apply direct to UNE. This course is only available off-campus (distance education).
For more information, click hereContact Us
So we know where to direct your enquiry, please tell us if you are a current or future student:
| Official Abbreviation | GradCertMentalHlthPrac | ||||||||||||
| Course Type | Postgraduate | ||||||||||||
| Commencing |
|
||||||||||||
| Course Duration |
|
||||||||||||
| Fees | CSP (quotas apply) or Full Fee | ||||||||||||
| Total Credit Points | 24 | ||||||||||||
| How to apply |
All domestic students apply direct to UNE. This course is only available off-campus (distance education). For more information, click here |
||||||||||||
| Intensive Schools | Mandatory intensive schools are a requirement of some of the units in this course. See Unit Catalogue for specific requirements. |
||||||||||||
| Entry Requirements | A candidate shall: (a) hold a bachelor degree of a recognised University; or (b) satisfy the School by means of other qualifications and relevant experience of adequate preparation for candidature. |
||||||||||||
| Additional Requirements | All candidates in the Graduate Certificate in Mental Health Practice; the Graduate Diploma in Counselling for Health and Social Care; or Master of Counselling enrolling in HSMH421 or HSMH422 or HSMH423 or HSMH424 for the first time are required to attend a Mandatory Introductory Intensive School to be held in Armidale. Students are only required to attend this weekend only once when they first enrol in these awards. Students enrolled in other awards are welcome to attend but it is non-mandatory in this instance. |
||||||||||||
| Practical, Clinical or Work Experience | Students will be encouraged to apply the skills they learn in their work environments. They will be taught the following counselling related skills: basic counselling microskills; creating a therapeutic relationship; clinical assessment skills using the DSM-IV as a diagnostic framework; how to conduct a mental health status examination and make appropriate referrals; report writing skills; brief intervention skills such as how to work from a cognitive-behavioural perspective; how to be critical and self-reflexive; how to work in a culturally competent manner; and how to plan interventions and design treatment plans. |
||||||||||||
| Advanced Standing | The maximum advanced standing that may be granted is 12 credit points, for units that have been successfully completed towards a postgraduate qualification at this or another university or Higher Education Provider. Each application is individually assessed and is only available for postgraduate study that has a strong correspondence with the units prescribed in the degree. Applicant must provide extensive documentation to support their application for advanced standing in a unit. |
||||||||||||
| Academic Colours |
Old Rose (BCC 157) |
||||||||||||
| Further Information | 
You can find instant answers to many of your questions or contact UNE directly via AskUNE |
Admission to Candidature
A candidate shall:
(a) hold a bachelor degree of a recognised University; or
(b) satisfy the School by means of other qualifications and relevant experience of adequate preparation for candidature.
Advanced Standing
The maximum advanced standing that may be granted is 12 credit points for units that have been successfully completed towards a postgraduate qualification at this or another university or Higher Education Provider. Each application is individually assessed and is only available for postgraduate study that has a strong correspondence with the units prescribed in the degree. Applicants must provide extensive documentation to support their application for advanced standing in a unit.
Period of Candidature
The period of candidature shall be:
(a) 0.5 year as a full-time candidate;
(b) up to two years as a part-time candidate.
Course Requirements
To qualify for the award, and except with the permission of the School, a candidate must pass units to the value of 24 credit points.
Program of Study
Candidates shall complete an approved program of study as outlined in the Course Schedule comprising:
| Course Structure | Credit Points |
|---|---|
| Core Units | 24 cps |
| Total | 24 cps |
To view complete Program of Study click here
Award of Degree
Candidates who meet the course requirements shall be awarded the Graduate Certificate in Mental Health Practice.
Improper Conduct
Candidates are referred to the Student Coursework Plagiarism and Academic Misconduct Rules.
| Course Aims |
This course aims to equip students with basic counselling skills. |
| Learning Outcomes |
Upon completion of this course, students will be able to:
|
| Graduate Attributes |
Knowledge of a Discipline
Knowledge of the discipline of mental health practice will be taught through guided commentaries and specific questions based on them, set readings, and podcasts. It will be assessed and practised through various types of assessments.
Communication Skills
The basis of working in mental health practice is having good communication skills. Students will be taught to listen well and to communicate clearly with their clients. In written work students will communicate, using well-organised and logical arguments, the ideas they have developed in studying the various units within the program. The assessment process will focus on the communication skills of the student. Students will also participate in online discussions and so practise communicating their ideas with other students.
Global Perspectives
The course materials expose students to various international issues and are designed to improve students' awareness of their status as global citizens. Students learn a multicultural approach to the study of counselling and psychotherapy.
Information Literacy
Students will be assessed on their skills in obtaining appropriate information for the written assignments, using books, journals and online sources.
Life-Long Learning
Students will be encouraged to see their development as mental health practitioners as part of a lifelong learning process. They will be encouraged to reflect on their clinical practice, have ongoing supervision, and continually improve their skills.
Problem Solving
Students apply their skills of information literacy to develop a written argument about a particular issue. Assessment tasks are designed to elicit the student's own responses to a particular problem, in order to help students to develop critical thinking.
Social Responsibility
Students will be encouraged to see their development as mental health practitioners as part of a lifelong learning process. They will be encouraged to reflect on their clinical practice, have ongoing supervision, and continually improve their skills.
Team Work
Teamwork is practised at Intensive Schools, and via the online environment. Students are taught this through unit materials and assessment tasks and through the online group activity, in considering practice and ethical issues and dilemmas.
|