Postgraduate: Course rule and topic information

Graduate Diploma in Mental Health Sciences

(GradDipMentHlthSc)

Program of Study

INTRODUCTION

The Graduate Diploma in Mental Health Sciences is a 36-unit program, involving coursework. It is offered by the Faculty of Health Sciences on a Commonwealth Supported basis. The program may be completed in one year full-time or not less than two years part-time.

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

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. Students will learn the skills which are underpinned by knowledge in:

• assessing, treating and evaluating clients presenting with a wide variety of clinical problems to a high standard of clinical competency consistent with current best practice as recognised within the field of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and more widely in mental health sciences;
• acting as the main therapist, liaising with other professionals;
• educating others (health professionals, clients and families) regarding mental health sciences, with particular reference to Cognitive Behavioural Therapy.

COURSE RULE

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 Graduate Diploma in 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, and the value of the qualification to their clients and clinical practice and/or organisation.

PROGRAM OF STUDY [November, 2007]

To qualify for the Graduate Diploma in Mental Health Sciences, a student must complete 36 units with a grade of P or NGP or better in each topic, according to the program of study below.

Semester 1

MHSC8001	Theoretical Foundations in Behavioural-Cognitive Psychotherapy 1	3
MHSC8002	Theory and Practice of Behavioural-Cognitive Psychotherapy 1	6
MHSC8003A	Clinical Case Management 1A	6
MHSC8004	Research in Psychotherapy 1	3

Semester 2

MHSC8003B	Clinical Case Management 1B	6
MHSC8005	Theoretical Foundations in Behavioural-Cognitive Psychotherapy 2	3
MHSC8006	Theory and Practice of Behavioural-Cognitive Psychotherapy 2	6
MHSC8009	Research in Psychotherapy 2	3
or	Elective *	3

The elective topic must be chosen in consultation with the course coordinator.

* Students not seeking to progress to the MMHSc may take 3 units of approved electives instead of MHSC8009.

Except with permission of the Faculty Board:

• the program must be completed within 12 consecutive semesters.

The award of a grade of Fail (F) in 12 or more units will constitute prima facie evidence of unsatisfactory progress for the purposes of the University's Policy on Student Progress.