Graduate Certificate of Therapeutic Child Play
2027 Deakin University Handbook
| Year | 2027 course information |
|---|---|
| Award granted | Graduate Certificate of Therapeutic Child Play |
| Deakin course code | H505 |
| Course credit points | 4 |
| Course version | 4 |
| Faculty | Faculty of Health |
| Course information | For students who commenced from 2022 onwards |
| Campus | This course is only offered Online |
| Duration | 1 year part-time |
| Course map - enrolment planning tool | This course map is for new students commencing from Trimester 1 2027 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
- Indicative student workload
- Professional recognition
- Career opportunities
- Mandatory student checks
- Pathways
- Course learning outcomes
- Course rules
- Course structure
- Work experience
Course overview
The Graduate Certificate of Therapeutic Child Play is designed for professionals and practitioners who want to strengthen their understanding of child development, childhood mental health and wellbeing, and therapeutic play-informed practice.
Ideal for anyone who works with children including educators, health and allied professionals, mental health, wellbeing, and disability practitioners, the course explores the therapeutic benefits of play to support children’s development and wellbeing.
You will examine areas including child development, play development, brain development, trauma attachment, and the therapeutic benefits of play that can be applied within your existing practice.
Delivered part-time online, the course is informed by contemporary research and taught by clinically experienced internationally connected play therapy academics.
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
The Graduate Certificare offers specialised postgraduate training in therapeutic play. 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 current work with children and families. Students aspiring to train and practice as a Play Therapist should undertake the Master of Child Play Therapy.
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
| Course Learning Outcomes |
|---|
| 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. |
| 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. |
| Use appropriate technologies to find, use and disseminate discipline-specific information to a variety of audiences. |
| Critically evaluate and synthesise concepts and theories in therapeutic child play. |
| 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. |
| Demonstrate personal autonomy and professional judgement in the field of therapeutic child play showing responsibility and accountability, in conjunction with reflective and ethical practice. |
| Establish and maintain collaborative professional relationships, demonstrating responsibility and accountability to the child, family and carers. |
| Demonstrate professional and ethical practice and respect for diverse social, cultural and environmental contexts that may impact children and families. |
Note – From 2026, Deakin commenced introducing Graduate Attributes (GAs), which define the distinctive characteristics of a Deakin graduate. You may notice some courses still refer to Graduate Learning Outcomes (GLOs) during this transition period.
Course rules
To complete the Graduate Certificate of Therapeutic Child Play you must pass 4 credit points. This includes:
- DAI001 Academic Integrity and Respect at Deakin (0-credit-point compulsory unit) in your first study period
- 2 credit points of core units
- 2 credit points of course electives.
Most units are equal to one credit point. Students are required to meet the University's academic progress and conduct requirements.
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 |
Electives
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
Contact Student Central for assistance in course planning, choosing the right units and explaining course rules and requirements. Student Central can also provide information for a wide range of services at Deakin. To help you understand the University vocabulary, please refer to our Enrolment codes and terminology page.