Master of Creative Arts Therapies

Murdoch University

About

As WA’s only master’s in creative arts therapies, this course is committed to experiential learning through expressive arts psychotherapies in workshops, clinical practice and clinical supervision.

You will learn to critically appraise arts psychotherapy literature and gain an understanding of both theoretical knowledge and hands-on creative arts psychotherapy practice.Explore the newly-emerging theory in this area of counselling and gain the hands-on experience that will prepare you to work in a diverse range of clinical and non-clinical contexts, in which building relationships is a key component.This course builds on study in our already-established Graduate Diploma in Creative Arts Therapies.

Students who hold this qualification will be granted advanced standing in the Master.7 reasons to study the Master of Creative Arts TherapiesLearn in a highly experiential environment at our purpose built creative arts therapies spaces at our Mandurah Campus.

Study the only university Creative Arts Therapies course in Western Australia.

Study on your own terms – we offer flexible study arrangements allowing you to study full-time or part-time.

Take advantage of our scholarships such as the Murdoch University Academic Excellence Award and Postgraduate Access and Equity Scholarship.

Customise your degree depending on your career goals, through a choice of electives and research units.

Understand the breadth and depth working with the creative arts brings to the therapeutic relationship.

Develop your current qualifications and training to take part in an international community of Creative Arts Therapies professionals that is expanding and strengthening nationally and globally.Develop your skillsBuild essential skills and knowledge to meet your career or study goals.

Topics you’ll cover include:using creative arts therapies practices in your therapeutic work engaging creatively with children and adolescents seeking mental health support exploring your professional strengths and motivations through the use of creative arts materials and methods engaging in creative arts therapy interventions experientially through small group work reading and talking about contemporary research, theory and professional practice of Creative Arts Therapists internationally.Your careerCreative arts therapies are a form of psychotherapy currently growing in acceptance and popularity in Australia and globally.

Counsellors and therapists using artistic modalities such as visual arts, music dance/movement and drama may work with children, adolescents, adults, older adults, groups and families to promote expression, self-awareness and insight.

Work settings include schools, hospitals, aged care, crisis centres, wellness centres, detention facilities, remand facilities and addiction treatment.

Experienced professionals may also utilise art therapy in private practice.Combined with your existing experience and qualifications your career as a Creative Arts Therapist can begin anywhere and be used in any role where building relationships is a key component.

Your skills can be applied in roles such as:Counsellor/Advocate in a crisis centre Children’s Therapist in a family bereavement service Group Worker in a women’s prison Addictions Specialist in an alcohol and drug rehabilitation service.You may already be in your dream job and this qualification will provide a stepping stone to enhancing your skills and increasing your potential.

Structure

Course Core 48 credit points

Required Units 39 credit points

Unit code Unit name Credit points
CSL566 Case Conceptualisation and Assessment in Counselling 3
CSL574 Creative Arts Therapies and Trauma 3
CSL575 Expressive Arts Therapies: Music, Drama and Writing 3
CSL576 Introduction to Creative Arts Therapies in Counselling 3
CSL577 Art Therapy with Children and Adolescents 3
CSL582 Principles of Counselling 1 6
CSL673 Advanced Principles and Practice of Creative Arts Therapies 3
CSL685 Creative Arts Therapies Clinical Placement and Supervision Grp 1 6
CSL686 Creative Arts Therapies Clinical Placement and Supervision Grp 2 6
SHP632 Applied Health Research Methods: From Research to Practice 3

Specified Elective Units 9 credit points

Unit code Unit name Credit points
CSL620 Counselling Research Project 9
OR
CSL677 Counselling Research Project 6
CSL581 Experiential Learning in Group Counselling 3
OR
CSL677 Counselling Research Project 6
CSL583 Counselling Adults 3
OR
CSL677 Counselling Research Project 6
CSL578 Counselling Children and Adolescents 3

Entry requirements

Advanced Standing

Everyone has a different path to university so if you’ve already completed formal or informal learning, you could receive advanced standing. Also known as recognition of prior learning, advanced standing can reduce the amount of study needed to complete your degree by giving you credit for certain units.

Formal learning can include previous study in higher education vocational education or adult and community education. Informal learning can include on the job learning, various kinds of work and life experience.

Find out more

 

This information applies to courses offered at our Australian campuses only. Courses offered at our Dubai, Singapore and Myanmar campuses or delivered by Open Universities Australia may have different requirements.

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