Mental Health Science - M6022

Mental Health Science

Master's degree

This course seeks to develop professional knowledge and skills for clinicians delivering mental health care. Depending upon their undergraduate studies students select from child psychotherapy or psychiatrist in training. These specialisations aim to meet the specific needs of these disciplines within mental health services. The course can be completed by coursework, or for those professionals seeking to build their research capacity, incorporation of a research project or minor thesis is available to address that need.

This three-year, part-time degree is taught off campus by some of Australia's most experienced mental health professionals and researchers, allowing you to apply the latest thinking to your workplace as you study. The course also includes an on-campus workshop.

Whichever stream you choose, you'll graduate able to evaluate research literature, identify research gaps, conduct practice-based research projects and develop, apply and advocate evidence-based best practice.

At a glance

Course Details

Location
  • Online: Part time
Duration
  • 3 years (part time)
Start date
First Semester (February), Second Semester (July)
Qualification
Master of Child Psychotherapy Studies, Master of Psychiatry
Alternative exits
Course Handbook

Career Opportunities

The Master of Mental Health Science allows Graduate students who are working in the health and welfare areas and disciplines to further their education by a combination of coursework and research.

Students can choose to specialise in child psychotherapy or psychiatrist in training.

This course prepares graduates for senior clinical, management, policy and planning mental health positions in both clinical and non-clinical settings. Students who choose the Child Psychotherapy specialisation and complete the 8 units in the prescribed order, will meet some of the criteria to be eligible to apply for Professional recognition with the Psychotherapy Associations in Australia.

Please select a specialisation for more details:

Entry Requirements

You need to satisfy the following entrance requirements to be considered for entry to this course.

Minimum Entry Requirements (Domestic students)

Qualifications

An Australian bachelor degree (or equivalent) in a cognate discipline with at least a credit average (60%), or equivalent qualification and relevant work experience approved by the faculty.

English requirements

Applicants must also meet the English language requirements.

University entrance requirements

Minimum entrance requirements for admission to Monash University Australia.

Extra Requirements

Applicants must meet the following requirements for their specialisation:

  • A cognate discipline for the Child Psychotherapy Studies specialisation including social work, psychology, medicine, occupational therapy, art therapy, play therapy, music therapy, speech therapy, counselling and education, and a minimum of one year of work experience in a child or adolescent mental health program.
  • A cognate discipline for the Psychiatry specialisation including medicine and have completed an intern year to qualify for medical registration.

All applicants must submit a comprehensive CV citing evidence of current and recent employment with the relevant mental health focus.

The course structure can be viewed in the Handbook. You can also view the course map.

Note: if you would like to use this master's course as a pathway to a higher degree by research, you should take the research pathway.

Making the application

Future students

Note: Please make sure you read the extra requirements before you apply.

Semester one (February)

Apply directly to Monash using course code M6022

Apply

Semester two (July)

Apply directly to Monash using course code M6022

Apply

Self assess for credit eligibility

Check for study credit using the "Credit search" link on the Credit for prior study page

Fees

Fees are subject to change annually.

Full fee

Fees are per 48 credit points which represents a standard full-time course load for a year. The fees for 2025 are:

A$29,800

Fee assistance

As a full fee-paying student, you may be eligible to apply for the optional FEE-HELP to assist you to pay all or part of your tuition fees.

Scholarships

We offer over 360 types of scholarships, valued at up to $280,000. Some scholarships offer one-off payments while others continue for the length of your course. Learn more about Monash Scholarships.

Other costs and fees

For information on other study costs and fees, see other study costs.