Start Date
February

Duration
0.5 year(s) full-time

Program Code
ICMH

SATAC Code
4GC091 (External)

Study as
Part-time only

Degree overview

  • Advance your knowledge and practical skills to support perinatal women experiencing psychological distress.
  • Gain a deeper understanding of postnatal depression and the impact it has on mothers and their families.
  • Study at a university ranked in the World Top 100 for nursing.1
  • Learn from industry-experienced clinicians at a university with well above world-class research in nursing.2
  • Join the No.1 university in SA for student satisfaction in nursing.3
  • Be supported by online learning resources, available to you 24/7.
  • UniSA is an unstoppable university for unstoppable people.4 As one of the World’s Top Young Universities5, we’ll ensure you get the experience your future profession demands so it’ll feel like you’re studying one minute and in a career the next.

12022 QS Subject Rankings. 22018 Excellence in Research for Australia (ERA). 3ComparED (QILT) Course Experience Questionnaire 2020-21 – Overall Satisfaction Indicator (Postgraduate). SA public universities. 4UNSTOPPABLE® is a Kellogg Company trade mark used under licence. 5Ranked #52, 2023 THE Young University Rankings.

Snapshot

Snapshot

Provide specialised care, supervision and advice to women prenatally, during pregnancy and through postnatal recovery. 

Designed to advance your career as a practicing health professional, Registered Nurse or Registered Midwife, in this graduate certificate you’ll gain the knowledge, skills and attitudes needed to support perinatal women who are experiencing psychological distress. In one year of part-time online study, you‘ll develop a deeper understanding of postnatal depression; and the impact it has on mothers and their families. 

What you'll learn

Midwifery students

The Graduate Certificate in Perinatal Mental Health will extend your knowledge, skills and attitudes to care and support perinatal women experiencing psychological distress or mental illness.

Upon completion, you'll have an advanced understanding of mental health and mental illness in perinatal women, as well as an in-depth knowledge of counselling theory and practice.

Degree structure

Course name Area and cat no. Units Reference  
Perinatal Mental Health for Health Professionals NURS 5157 9
Skills for Recovery Practice in Mental Health NURS 5160 9

Study hours

For each course you study, you'll need to allocate time for learning activities. Depending on your study mode this may include online discussion forums, virtual classroom sessions, lectures, tutorials, workshops and seminars. Plus, you'll need additional hours to study in your own time to complete assignments, readings and projects. If you are studying full-time you would need to allocate 12 – 26 hours of study when at university and 14 – 28 hours of independent study per week. As a general rule, most postgraduate study is completed part-time.

Assessment

Assessment

Your studies will incorporate practical, professionally focused and research-based learning, so assessment types will vary. You can expect them to include:

  • critical analysis
  • online activities
  • case studies
  • presentations

Global opportunities

One of the key benefits of studying at UniSA is our ability to attract and retain internationally renowned researchers. You’ll learn from researchers and academics who are directly connected to industry and all of our clinical teaching staff combine teaching with industry experience. 

In addition, our diverse student population means you have the opportunity to gain global and cultural understanding, ideas and insights direct from your peers.

Global opportunities

Why Graduate Certificate in Perinatal Mental Health

Why this Degree

This online, part-time qualification has been designed to suit working professionals, with interactive online course materials and a 24/7 learning environment to enable you to tailor your study to suit your lifestyle.

You will learn from specialist postgraduate teaching staff, well above world-class researchers in nursing1 and industry-experienced clinicians, assuring you the very best in academic resources, learning facilities and support.

UniSA is home to the Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Research and Education, where our mental health researchers are recognised for undertaking research improving the lives of people in mental distress and at risk of suicide. Staff within the group contribute directly to the teaching of our postgraduate programs.

Our flexible suite of postgraduate nursing and midwifery qualifications are designed to recognise prior learning and advance your career. Upon successful completion of a postgraduate qualification, you could be eligible to gain credit into higher level qualifications.

12018 Excellence in Research for Australia (ERA). 

Real-world connections

Learn from award-winning teaching staff, academics and health professionals via our online forums and virtual classrooms, giving you the opportunity to learn from experienced clinicians in the field and build valuable industry networks and relationships.

We also host regular University-wide alumni events, employee master classes and employment expos in Australia and overseas.

Online study

Online study

This qualification is offered online. With interactive online course materials and a 24/7 learning environment you can organise your study to suit your lifestyle. You can:

  • access videos and course resources online
  • participate in an interactive online learning environment
  • submit your assignments and get feedback online
  • use online forums for teamwork and communication

Career outcomes

Your career

Researchers, policy makers, service users and health professionals have highlighted the impact of mental health problems during the perinatal period and the need for improved care in this area.

The increasing prevalence of postnatal depression in Australia has led to the introduction of universal psychological assessment by midwives. Specialist training in the area of mental health further improves employment prospects for graduates in this rewarding field.

With your advanced perinatal understanding, you can work in a wide variety of healthcare settings, such as:

  • hospitals or private practice
  • women’s health services
  • community services
  • general practice.

Industry facts

job-listings

Employment for midwifery professionals in Australia is projected to increase by 21.6% by November 2026.

Australian Government National Skills Commission Employment Projections 2021

chart-people

To November 2026, healthcare and social assistance is projected to make the largest contribution to employment growth in Australia – an increase of 301,000 jobs.

Australian Government National Skills Commission Employment Projections 2021

buildings-city

Healthcare and social assistance has been the primary provider of new jobs in the Australian labour market since the 1990s.

Australian Government National Skills Commission Employment Projections 2021

How to apply

Applying to study with us:

  • Check you meet the full entry requirements for this program.
  • Go to the top of this page and make note of the SATAC code, then click Apply.
  • You will be redirected through to the SATAC website to continue your application.

Scholarships

Every year, over 2,500 UniSA students are supported in their studies through scholarships and grants worth millions of dollars. Check out the scholarships below. One of them may be perfect for you. Visit our scholarships page for more.

More scholarships

Your study experience and support

Our campuses have fantastic facilities including modern lecture theatres, libraries, workshops, laboratories, tech zones, and spaces that simulate real work environments. You’ll also find student gyms and campus sport activities to keep you active. We also offer flexible study options, with online resources available for accessing lecture recordings, virtual classrooms, library resources and learning support. 

Adelaide also has a variety of accommodation options to suit different requirements and budgets. Options include dedicated student accommodation and private rentals. See our long-term accommodation pages, or explore our student accommodation by Scape on Bank Street in Adelaide’s lively cultural precinct, an ideal location for students. It is within easy reach of UniSA’s city and metropolitan campuses, Rundle Mall shopping, the Central Market, Chinatown, and the West End’s vibrant nightlife. It is also across the road from the Adelaide train station, and on bus and tram routes.

Student services

Student services

Our student services provide you with all the support you need at university. You can access a full range of support services including academic and personal counselling, career advice, social support services, as well as those through our student association, USASA. When you become a UniSA student, you can also contact Campus Central for help with anything related to your degree. They will help you with your enrolment, ID cards, fees, timetables and more.

24/7 digital environment

Our learnonline facilities include a personal learning environment with virtual classrooms, lecture recordings, emails, learning support, administration, library access and results. The environment is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, so you can tailor your learning to your life. We are continually investing in innovative digital technologies for a high-quality student learning experience.

Student services

Your campus

We have six campuses in metropolitan and regional areas, each with modern facilities including lecture theatres, libraries and laboratories, as well as spaces that simulate real work environments.

Location This degree is delivered at the following campus.

Your program director

I have worked as a clinician and researcher working extensively within the international and post-graduate portfolio. I have an interest in improving the learning experience for post-graduate nurses who are our current and future leaders.

Dr Allison Roderick

Program Director

Enquire
Portrait image for Dr Allison Roderick
Portrait image for Dr Allison Roderick

Dr Allison Roderick

Program Director

Enquire

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What others are saying

UniSA offered a practical and theoretical approach to studying midwifery. Every course offered in both the Bachelor of Midwifery and Graduate Certificate in Midwifery (Perinatal Mental Health) was relevant to a career as a midwife and gave me the opportunity to make an impact on women’s lives from my first year of study.

Natalie Scicluna

Graduate Certificate in Midwifery (Perinatal Mental Health)

natalie scicluna.png

Natalie Scicluna

Graduate Certificate in Midwifery (Perinatal Mental Health)

The University of South Australia understands that quality teaching in nursing and midwifery goes hand-in-hand with industry partnerships. They work collaboratively across all health care services to design industry-informed curriculum.

Jennifer Fereday

Executive Director | Women’s and Children’s Health Network

Jennifer Fereday, Executive Director, Women's and Childrens Health Network.jpg

Jennifer Fereday

Executive Director | Women’s and Children’s Health Network

Staff who have upskilled with postgraduate study really shine through as motivated workers. We often employ people with postgraduate qualifications in our managerial positions as they have equipped themselves with those extra specialised skills.

Jo Boylans

Director of Operations | Southern Cross Care

Jo Boylans.jpg

Jo Boylans

Director of Operations | Southern Cross Care

We offer high quality resources to assist student learning, including a simulated hospital and health service integrating the latest technologies, and our teaching is delivered by an outstanding group of nursing, midwifery, and allied health academics and clinicians.

Associate Professor Rachael Vernon

Rachael Vernon

Associate Professor Rachael Vernon