Bachelor of Health Science (Mental Health)

What is this course about?

CSU's Bachelor of Health Science (Mental Health) aims to prepare graduates who have appropriate knowledge, understanding, skills and attitudes to work competently as a mental health worker within their own communities and mainstream mental health services.

Originally designed in collaboration with a community-based Aboriginal Mental Health Steering Committee and the Greater Southern Area Health Service, this course was specifically designed for Indigenous mental health practitioners to meet the needs of the mental health workforce with a specific understanding of contemporary health issues facing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

Today, this specialist course aims to prepare graduates to work within mental health services with all members of the community, with an understanding and appreciation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander clients, their families and communities. It places mental health workers within a multi-disciplinary team working alongside other health professionals, both Indigenous and non-Indigenous.

What will I learn?

An understanding of primary healthcare, cultural safety, equity and socio-cultural aspects of care will enhance the graduates' understanding and appreciation of the clients' and their family's experience of emotional and social trauma and mental health problems.

Students may elect to exit the course following the completion of the first year of study with the Diploma of Health Science (Mental Health), or the first two years of study with the Associate Degree in Health Science (Mental Health).

Credit and articulation

Students who have already successfully completed the previously offered stand-alone Diploma of Health Science (Mental Health) or equivalent are awarded 128 points of credit into the Bachelor of Health Science (Mental Health).

All recognition of prior learning will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

More information about credit and pathways.

Additional admission requirements

Refer to the workplace learning section for information on:

• Immunisation
• National Criminal Record Clearance

Academic expectations

For each 8 point subject at CSU, students should normally expect to spend between 140-160 hours engaged in the specified learning and assessment activities (such as attending lectures or residential schools, assigned readings, tutorial assistance, individual or group research/study, forum activity, workplace learning, assignments or examinations). The student workload for some subjects may vary from these norms as a result of approved course design.

Students will be assessed on the basis of completed assignments, examinations, workplace learning, or other methods as outlined in specific subject outlines.

Where applicable, students are responsible for travel and accommodation costs involved in workplace learning experiences, or attending residential schools (distance education students).

Expectations relating to academic, workplace learning, time and cost requirements for specific subjects are provided in the subject abstracts and in course materials.

Course structure

This course of 192 points duration as follows.

MHP105 Primary Health Care: Mental Health (8cp)
MHP109 The Body, Illness and Health (8cp)
MHP111 Clinical 1 (16cp)
MHP112 History, Social and Emotional Wellbeing (8cp)
MHP111 Clinical 1 (16cp)
MHP113 Introduction to Pharmacology in Mental Health (8cp)
MHP114 Human Development Across the Lifespan (8cp)
MHP115 Introduction to Substance Use: Alcohol and Other Drugs (8cp)
MHP211 Clinical 2 (16cp)
MHP212 Healing Our Spirit: Grief, Loss and Yarning (8cp)
MHP213 Crisis and Assessment Management (16cp)
MHP214 Primary Health Care: Community Development (8cp)
MHP209 Mental Health, Law and Ethics (8cp)
MHP211 Clinical 2 (16cp)
MHP213 Crisis and Assessment Management (16cp)
MHP216 Suicide Prevention (8cp)
MHP301 Research in Mental Health (16cp)
MHP302 Professional Issues in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Mental Health (16 cp)
MHP311 Clinical 3 (16cp)
MHP312 Sexual Assault, Family Violence and Associated Trauma (8cp)
MHP301 Research in Mental Health (16cp)
MHP302 Professional Issues for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Mental Health (16 cp)
MHP311 Clinical 3 (16cp)
MHP313 Working with Families and Diverse Communities (8cp)

Enrolment pattern

Full-time Distance

Year 1 (Session 1)
MHP105 Primary Health Care: Mental Health
MHP109 The Body, Illness and Health
MHP111 Clinical 1 (commencing)
MHP112 History, Social and Emotional Wellbeing

Year 1 (Session 2)
MHP111 Clinical 1 (completing)
MHP113 Introduction to Pharmacology in Mental Health
MHP114 Human Development Across the Lifespan
MHP115 Introduction to Substance Use: Alcohol and Other Drugs

Students may be awarded a Diploma of Health Science (Mental Health) if they exit the course having successfully undertaken all subjects to this point in the Bachelor of Health Science (Mental Health)

Year 2 (Session 1)
MHP211 Clinical 2 (commencing)
MHP212 Healing Our Spirit: Grief, Loss and Yarning
MHP213 Crisis and Assessment Management (commencing)
MHP214 Primary Health Care: Community Development

Year 2 (Session 2)
MHP209 Mental Health, Law and Ethics
MHP211 Clinical 2 (completing)
MHP213 Crisis and Assessment Management (completing)
MHP216 Suicide Prevention

Students may be awarded a Associate Degree in Health Science (Mental Health) if they exit the course having successfully undertaken all subjects to this point in the Bachelor of Health Science (Mental Health)

Year 3 (Session 1)
MHP301 Research in Mental Health (commencing)
MHP302 Professional Issues in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Mental Health (commencing)
MHP311 Clinical 3 (commencing)
MHP312 Sexual Assault, Family Violence and Associated Trauma

Year 3 (Session 2)
MHP301 Research in Mental Health (completing)
MHP302 Professional Issues for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Mental Health (completing)
MHP311 Clinical 3 (completing)
MHP313 Working with Families and Diverse Communities

Admission requirements

To be admitted to the Bachelor of Health Science (Mental Health), applicants are required to:

• have an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander background
• demonstrate an aptitude to undertake this course through previous relevant experiences in the field of mental health and Indigenous issues
• have completed a bridging program or successfully completed the Darrambal program through Charles Sturt University, if required.

To be admitted into the course, prospective students need to indicate their likelihood of success through:

1. previous studies, and
2. other attainments and experience.

Previous studies

Previous studies include:

• the NSW Higher School Certificate or interstate /overseas equivalent;
• the International Baccalaureate Diploma;
• a completed or part completed course of a university, college of advanced education or other accredited tertiary institution;
• a completed or part completed course of a TAFE college or other accredited post-secondary institution (including TAFE Tertiary Preparation Certificate);
• an approved Foundation Studies program certificate;
• completion of undergraduate subjects as an Associate Student with the University or through another University, or Open Universities Australia.

NSW and interstate school leavers are normally selected on the basis of their Australian Tertiary Admissions Rank (ATAR) or interstate equivalent. You may also be admitted on the basis of a strong performance in subjects relevant to your course preferences.

Currently no secondary school subjects are prerequisites for admission to particular CSU courses however some courses assume a certain level of knowledge. This will be specified in the course information if applicable.

English language proficiency

The University has minimum requirements for English language proficiency prior to entry to our courses. Some courses also have a requirement for a higher entry or exit level of English proficiency. More information on English language requirements.

Attainment and experience

You may also be admitted to a course based on other attainments and experience. These may include:

• voluntary or paid work experience;
• performance in tests and examinations conducted by professional recognised bodies;
• participation in continuing education programs and/or staff development programs conducted by adult education agencies, consultancies, professional bodies or employers;
• completion of the Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT).

Internet access

CSU places great emphasis on services to its students. It is a leader in the provision of online services and, in particular, the use of the internet in the support of teaching, administration and communications with students.

The online environment is so integrated into all aspects of student life and the learning experience at CSU that the University now assumes that all on campus and distance education students at CSU will have ongoing access to an internet connected computer capable of communicating with CSU online systems.

Students enrolled in Information Technology subjects (i.e. with an ITC subject code) may be required to have additional hardware and/or software that is deemed essential for the completion of the learning activities in that subject.

National Criminal Record Check

Students may be required to undergo a criminal record check and/or complete a Prohibited Employment Declaration under the Child Protection Act 1998 as part of professional experience requirements. These checks are intended to identify people who might, because of convictions for such things as violence or sexual offences, put students/clients' personal safety or health at risk. Traffic violations and other minor offences are not of interest.

As such, prospective students should be aware that an inability to obtain a criminal record clearance or complete a Prohibited Employment Declaration may limit practicum opportunities in some organisations and industries. Furthermore, criminal convictions involving violence or sexual offences may limit continued enrolment in a course and/or employment opportunities after completing the course.

If you have any queries regarding these matters, including the opportunities available for review of a particular case, contact the Course Director.

Apply now

This course is available to commence study in

Session 1