Graduate Certificate of Therapeutic Child Play

2025 Deakin University Handbook

Year	2025 course information
Award granted	Graduate Certificate of Therapeutic Child Play
Deakin course code	H505
Faculty	Faculty of Health
Campus	Online There may be on campus intensives offered.
Online	Yes
Duration	0.5 years full-time
Course Map - enrolment planning tool	This course map is for new students commencing from Trimester 1 2025 Course maps for commencement in previous years are available on the Course Maps webpage or please contact a Student Adviser in Student Central.
Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) recognition	The award conferred upon completion is recognised in the Australian Qualifications Framework at Level 8

Course sub-headings

Course overview

With a Graduate Certificate of Therapeutic Child Play, you can get an introduction to the therapeutic powers of play while building specialised skills that allow you to work more effectively with children.

Love working with children and want a deeper understanding of the way they think, behave and feel?

The Graduate Certificate of Therapeutic Child Play is a dynamic and enriching program tailored for professionals who work closely with children in a variety of settings, from healthcare to education. Whether you are a health professional, educator, or an allied health worker, this course offers invaluable insights into the therapeutic potential of play and how these principles can be seamlessly incorporated into your existing work with children. Play is not only a natural part of childhood but also an essential tool for promoting healthy development and emotional well-being in children, and this course is designed to harness these benefits.

Gain a deeper understanding of profound role that play holds in the psychosocial, emotional, and behavioural development of children, and examine child development from a range of angles, gaining a deep understanding of how children grow and develop across different stages.

You will also explore childhood neuroscience and psychopathology, providing you with a strong foundation in understanding the neurological and psychological processes that underpin behaviour and development. Topics such as developmental trauma offer insight into how adverse experiences in early life can affect a child’s cognitive, emotional, and social growth. You will also investigate neurodevelopmental differences, including conditions such as autism, and how these may impact a child’s capacity to engage with their environment, peers, and educators.

You will learn evidence-based methods for implementing therapeutic play into your work with children to help address the challenges that they may face, from emotional regulation to social skills development. This ensures that you can immediately apply what you learn, making a tangible difference in the lives of the children you work with.

Learn from leaders in the field. At Deakin, you’ll have the opportunity to learn from leading experts in the field of therapeutic play, many of whom are actively involved in groundbreaking research and contribute to key Australian and international play therapy organisations. Staff are engaged with global institutions such as the International Play Therapy Study Group (IPTSG) and the International Consortium of Play Therapy Associations, bringing a wealth of knowledge and expertise into the classroom.

The insights, case studies, and research contributions from these leading academics are woven into the course, enriching your learning experience. This access to high-level expertise provides you with a unique opportunity to deepen your understanding of therapeutic child play, guided by those at the forefront of the field.

Indicative student workload

As a student undertaking an online course in the Faculty of Health you will be expected to participate in a range of learning activities each week. You will spend 11-13 hours per unit (i.e., per 1-credit point unit) each week engaging in a combination of self-paced study, seminars, online interactions and assessment tasks during the trimester teaching period. In some instances, assessment tasks may also take place outside of the trimester teaching periods. All units are designed to be self-paced so that you can work through the material at a time that suits. You can refer to the individual unit details in the course structure for more information on each unit.

Professional recognition

Please note that the Graduate Certificate of Therapeutic Child Play does not equip you as a Play Therapist. Students who complete the Certificate may apply the knowledge and skills learned to their primary discipline and/or current work with children and families. Students seeking training and registration as a Play Therapist should complete the Master of Child Play Therapy which requires a minimum of a bachelor degree in a related discipline and minimum two years of relevant work experience.

Note: All information regarding professional recognition is accurate at the date of publication. Enquiries regarding accreditation and professional membership should be directed to the School of Health and Social Development in order to ascertain the current status of accreditation at any future point in time beyond publication. Representations about accreditation apply only to the course, and the relevant professional body retains discretion as to who they admit as members of their association. Deakin University cannot exercise any control over membership of an external body.

Career opportunities

The Graduate Certificate of Therapeutic Child Play is particularly valuable for those already working closely with children, including teachers, counsellors, occupational therapists, nurses, social workers, speech pathologists and mental health professionals. The course also provides significant benefits for parents and caregivers who want to be better equipped for the complex and everyday challenges of children’s development.

The skills you learn will allow you to perform your current role more effectively, and will also open the door to more advanced roles within your profession.

Please note that the Graduate Certificate of Therapeutic Child Play does not equip you as a Play Therapist. If you are aspiring to become a Registered Play Therapist, you may wish to apply (subject to meeting the entry requirements) for the Master of Child Play Therapy.

Mandatory student checks

Mandatory student checks are not required for students undertaking the Graduate Certificate of Therapeutic Child Play.

Pathways

This course provides a pathway to other postgraduate coursework programs.

Course Learning Outcomes

Deakin Graduate Learning Outcomes	Course Learning Outcomes
Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities	Apply specialised theory and practical knowledge associated with child development, measurement of play ability and the impact of life events such as trauma on children’s development in the context of therapeutic child play.
Communication	Demonstrate the verbal, written and interpersonal communication skills to work with children and their carers appropriate to therapeutic child play to a variety of audiences.
Digital literacy	Use appropriate technologies to find, use and disseminate discipline-specific information to a variety of audiences
Critical thinking	Critically evaluate and synthesise concepts and theories in therapeutic child play.
Problem solving	Apply knowledge and skills to measure and assess children to determine the need for therapeutic intervention and refer to a Child Play Therapist or other Practitioner to solve a range of problems.
Self-management	Demonstrate personal autonomy and professional judgement in the field of therapeutic child play showing responsibility and accountability, in conjunction with reflective and ethical practice.
Teamwork	Establish and maintain collaborative professional relationships, demonstrating responsibility and accountability to the child, family and carers.
Global citizenship	Demonstrate professional and ethical practice and respect for diverse social, cultural and environmental contexts that may impact children and families.

Course rules

To complete the Graduate Certificate of Therapeutic Child Play students must pass 4 credit points and meet the following course rules to be eligible to graduate:

DAI001 Academic Integrity and Respect at Deakin (0-credit-point compulsory unit) in their first study period
2 credit points of core units
2 credit points of course electives

Students are required to meet the University's academic progress and conduct requirements. See the enrolment codes and terminology to help make sense of the University’s vocabulary.

Course structure

Core units

Trimester 1

DAI001

Academic Integrity and Respect at Deakin (0 credit points)

HSO710

Foundations of Play Therapy

HSO711

Child Attachment Environment and Trauma

Elective units

Select two of:

HSO709

Therapeutic Use of Self

HSO713

Therapeutic Assessment of Play

HSO715

Childhood Developmental Neuroscience and Psychopathology

HSO725

Therapeutic Medical Play

Work experience

There are no work experience or placement requirements for students undertaking the Graduate Certificate of Therapeutic Child Play. Students who progress to undertake the Master of Child Play Therapy must undertake placement units as part of this degree.

Course duration

Course duration may be affected by delays in completing course requirements, such as failing of units.

Further information

Student Central can help you with course planning, choosing the right units and explaining course rules and requirements.

Contact Student Central