The attendance pattern for this course is full time or part time according to candidate choice, except for the Graduate Certificate which is part time only.

The master's degree in these resolutions is an advanced learning master's course, as defined by the Coursework Rule.

The embedded courses in this sequence are:

the Graduate Certificate in Mental Health Nursing

the Graduate Diploma in Mental Health Nursing

the Master of Mental Health Nursing

Providing candidates satisfy the admission requirements for each stage, a candidate may progress to the award of any of the courses in this sequence. Only the longest award completed will be conferred.

Available places will be offered to qualified applicants in the order in which complete applications are received, according to the following admissions criteria.

Admission to each course requires the applicant to be registered to practise nursing in an Australian state or territory, or country in which they reside, and satisfy the English language proficiency requirements detailed in the school resolutions. In addition to these requirements, domestic applicants are required to have a minimum of one year of experience working as a registered nurse, and be working primarily in the provision of care to people with mental health problems. International applicants are required to have a minimum of one year of experience in Mental Health Nursing. Specific admission criteria for each course are below.

Admission to the Graduate Certificate in Mental Health Nursing requires:

a pre-registration nursing degree from the University of Sydney or equivalent qualification; or

a minimum of five years of experience as a registered nurse.

In exceptional circumstances the dean may admit applicants without these qualifications who, in the opinion of the school, have qualifications and evidence of experience and achievement sufficient to successfully undertake the award.

Admission to the Graduate Diploma in Mental Health Nursing requires:

a pre-registration nursing degree from the University of Sydney or equivalent qualification; or

a minimum of five years of experience as a registered nurse; or

a graduate certificate in this discipline from the University of Sydney or equivalent qualification or;

if the applicant does not satisfy paragraphs (a)-(c), they are required to have completed the requirements for an award course (without graduating) leading to an embedded graduate certificate in this discipline at the University of Sydney or equivalent qualification.

In exceptional circumstances the dean may admit applicants without these qualifications who, in the opinion of the school, have qualifications and evidence of experience and achievement sufficient to successfully undertake the award.

Admission to the Master of Mental Health Nursing requires:

a pre-registration nursing degree from the University of Sydney or equivalent qualification with a credit average; or

a graduate diploma or graduate certificate in this discipline from the University of Sydney or equivalent qualification; or

if the applicant does not satisfy paragraphs (a)-(b) they are required to have completed the requirements for an award course (without graduating) leading to an embedded graduate certificate or graduate diploma in this discipline from the University of Sydney, or equivalent qualification.

Qualifications used as the basis of admission must have been completed less than ten years prior to application. Qualifications older than ten years will be considered subject to the applicant providing further information substantiating appropriate continuing education and development. In these cases, admission will be at the discretion of the Dean.

The units of study that may be taken for the courses are set out in the Units of Study table for Mental Health Nursing.

To qualify for the award of the Graduate Certificate in Mental Health Nursing a candidate must complete 24 credit points of core units of study.

To qualify for the award of the Graduate Diploma in Mental Health Nursing a candidate must complete 48 credit points of core units of study, including:

36 credit points of core units of study; and

12 credit points of elective units of study.

To qualify for the award of the Master of Mental Health Nursing a candidate must complete 60 credit points, including:

36 credit points of core units of study; and

12 credit points of elective units of study; and

a 12 credit point capstone unit of study.

Candidates are required to complete clinical assessments as prescribed in order to successfully meet the requirements for passing the unit of study. Where appropriate, the school may require individual candidates to undertake further or remedial theoretical, clinical or practical study in addition to the above requirements.

A candidate must complete all the requirements for the Graduate Certificate within two and a half calendar years of first enrolment, excluding periods of suspension.

A candidate must complete all the requirements for the Graduate Diploma within four calendar years of first enrolment, excluding periods of suspension.

A candidate must complete all the requirements for the Masters degree within five calendar years of first enrolment, excluding periods of suspension.

A candidate for the master's degree or graduate diploma may elect to discontinue study and graduate with a shorter award from this embedded sequence, with the approval of the Dean, and provided the requirements of the shorter award have been met.

These resolutions apply to students who commenced their candidature after 1 January, 2017 and students who commenced their candidature prior to 1 January, 2017 who elect to proceed under these resolutions.

Candidates who commenced prior to 1 January, 2017 may complete the requirements in accordance with the resolutions in force at the time of their commencement, provided that requirements are completed by 1 January, 2022. The school may specify a later date for completion or specify alternative requirements for completion of candidatures that extend beyond this time.