Graduate Diploma of Therapeutic Child Play

2023 Deakin University Handbook

Course sub-headings

• Course overview
• Indicative student workload
• Professional recognition
• Career opportunities
• Participation requirements
• Mandatory student checks
• Pathways
• Alternative exits
• Fees and charges
• Course Learning Outcomes
• Course rules
• Course structure
• Work experience
• Research and research-related study

Course overview

Enrich your work with children and develop evidence-based techniques for better understanding children and their behaviour with the Graduate Diploma of Therapeutic Child Play. Get industry experience with 65 hours of clinical placement and learn alongside pioneering academics in Australian child play therapy research.

Want valuable new skills that allow you to pursue more rewarding work with children and their families?

The Graduate Diploma of Therapeutic Child Play is designed for those working with children on a regular basis, from health professionals to educators. It builds on the theories, models and practices learned at the graduate certificate level, and trains you to introduce play assessment and directive approaches in therapeutic play into your work with children.

You will examine child development from many different angles, with a particular focus on psychosocial, emotional and behavioural development. You will also explore childhood neuroscience and psychopathy, developmental trauma, and neurodevelopmental differences including autism.

The course can be used as a pathway into the Master of Child Play Therapy, and includes eight units from the masters course:

• Foundations of Play Therapy
• Child Attachment Environment and Trauma
• Assessment and Measurement in Play Abilities
• Childhood Developmental Neuroscience and Psychopathology
• Therapeutic Use of Self
• Engaging Children in Play Using Directive Approaches
• Research Literacy
• Therapeutic Medical Play

You will learn how to assess and observe a child’s play behaviour, and ways to enhance a child’s play ability, not just through case studies but through practical experience in a clinical setting. 65 hours of clinical placement allows you to develop skills in engaging children in play using directive approaches while being supervised by a clinician experienced in the modality. It also provides an opportunity to build professional relationships that can kickstart your career growth when you graduate.

A highlight of the course is being able to learn from academic staff who are not just involved in the field but leading the way through the work and research they contribute. We have staff involved with key Australian and International Play Therapy organisations such as the International Play Therapy Study Group (IPTSG) and the International Consortium of Play Therapy Associations and their insights, case studies and experiences are filtered into the course.

Indicative student workload

As a student undertaking an online course (with on-campus intensives in some units) 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, teaching intensives, placements and assessment tasks may also take place outside of the trimester teaching periods. You can refer to the individual unit details in the course structure for more information on each unit.

If you are undertaking the course full-time you can anticipate spending 40 or more hours per week in study across Trimester 1. Trimester 1 focuses on theoretical knowledge and consists of four theory units (HSO710, HSO711, HSO713 and HSO715). These units are designed to be self-paced so that you can work through the material at a time that suits. However, students who are working or who have other significant commitments typically undertake the course part-time.

There are also significant placement and campus requirements throughout the program. Within the Diploma of Therapeutic Child Play students complete one placement unit (HSO712). Within this unit you will undertake 65 clinical hours and 18 hours of online supervision. Clinical supervisors are provided by Deakin. Placement units run the full length of the trimester including the study and end of unit assessment period. All placements must be undertaken in Australia.

Each placement unit also consists of an intensive teaching workshop held prior to the start of placement. Intensive workshops may take place outside of the trimester teaching period. You will be required to attend intensive workshops live across consecutive days and will need to take time off work and other commitments to attend. The intensive workshop for HSO712 is held virtually across 3 days. Students who progress to the Master of Child Play Therapy will undertake an additional two placement units (HSO720 and HSO723). Teaching intensive workshop dates are listed here.

Professional recognition

Professional recognition is available to students who progress their studies through to successful completion of the Master of Child Play Therapy. Graduates of the masters course will be eligible to apply for registration as a Play Therapist with the Australasia Pacific Play Therapy Association (APPTA).

Students who complete the Graduate Diploma of Therapeutic Child Play may apply the knowledge and skills learnt in the Graduate Diploma to their primary discipline and/or current work with children and families. The Graduate Diploma of Therapeutic Child play does not equip you as a Play Therapist. Students seeking training and registration as a Play Therapist should complete 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 Diploma 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’ll learn will allow you to perform your current role more effectively, and will also open the door to more advanced roles within your profession.

If you are aspiring to become a Registered Play Therapist, you can continue your studies into the Master of Child Play Therapy upon successful completion of the graduate diploma. With registration, you can start working independently as a play therapist in:

• private practice
• schools
• hospitals
• charitable organisations
• government departments

Participation requirements

The course involves a compulsory clinical placement of 65 hours and 18 hours of online supervision during Trimester 2 for the placement unit HSO712 Engaging Children in Play Using Directive Approaches. Placement units run the full length of the trimester including the study and examination period. All placements must be undertaken in Australia.

Compulsory attendance is required across a 3-day virtual teaching intensive prior to the start of placement for HSO712. Intensive workshops may take place outside of the trimester teaching period. Students are required to attend intensive workshops live across consecutive days and will need to take time off work and other commitments to attend. Workshop dates are listed here.

Mandatory student checks

Department of Human Services policy - Police Record Check and Working With Children Check

In accordance with Department of Human Services policy, all students are required to undertake a National Police Record Check prior to their first placement unit. This police check needs to be completed annually for the duration of the course.

Students are also required to hold a current Working with Children Check in Victoria (or the interstate equivalent).

Students who fail to obtain both a Police Record Check and Working with Children Check prior to the commencement of their first placement unit will not be able to commence placement and this will impede progress in the course.

The Faculty of Health Work Integrated Learning Team utilise an online service called 'Fit2Work' for police checks, and students will receive an email with instructions on how to apply. Students should not apply for a police check until they have received this email from Fit2Work. This police check needs to be completed prior to commencing a placement unit and must be current to the year you are undertaking placement.

Pathways

This course provides a pathway to other postgraduate coursework programs.

Alternative exits

Fees and charges

Fees and charges vary depending on your course, the type of fee place you hold, your commencement year, the units you choose and your study load.

Tuition fees increase at the beginning of each calendar year and all fees quoted are in Australian dollars ($AUD). Tuition fees do not include textbooks, computer equipment or software, other equipment or costs such as mandatory checks, travel and stationery.

Use the Fee estimator to see course and unit fees applicable to your course and type of place. Further information regarding tuition fees, other fees and charges, invoice due dates, withdrawal dates, payment methods is available on our Current students fees website.

Course Learning Outcomes

Course rules

To complete the Graduate Diploma of Therapeutic Child Play students must attain 8 credit points. All 8 of these units are core within the Graduate Diploma (these are compulsory).

All commencing Faculty of Health Undergraduate and Postgraduate course work students are required to complete HAI010 Academic Integrity in their first trimester of study (0 credit point compulsory unit).

Course structure

Core units

Trimester 1

Trimester 2

Work experience

This course includes a mandatory 1 credit point placement unit (HSO712) that requires students to undertake 65 hours of practical experience. This experience may be in a school environment or community-based clinic, where the student will undertake supervised practice in engaging children in play using directive approaches. All placements must be undertaken in Australia.

Other course information

Course duration - additional information

Course duration may be affected by delays in completing course requirements, such as accessing or completing work placements.

Further information

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

• Contact Student Central

Research and research-related study

Students within the Graduate Diploma will complete one credit point of research related study.