Graduate Diploma of Therapeutic Child Play

2025 Deakin University Handbook

Year	2025 course information
Award granted	Graduate Diploma of Therapeutic Child Play
Deakin course code	H605
Faculty	Faculty of Health
Campus	Online There may be on campus intensives offered.
Online	No
Duration	1 year full-time or part-time equivalent
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

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.

If you hold a minimum of a bachelor degree in a related discipline, you may choose to continue your studies (subject to meeting entry requirements) by applying for the Master of Child Play Therapy, and include 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.

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 5 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

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. Graduates of the masters course will be eligible to apply for registration as a Play Therapist with the Australasia Pacific Play Therapy Association (APPTA)

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 will 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, and hold a minimum of a bachelor degree in a related discipline you can continue your studies (subject to meeting the entry requirements) into the Master of Child Play Therapy upon successful completion of the graduate diploma and can receive up to 8 credit points of recognition of prior learning (RPL).

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 5-day 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 the policies of health and human services organisations, all students are required to undertake a National Police Record Check prior to professional placements in each calendar year that they are enrolled in a placement unit. Students who fail to obtain a Police Record Check prior to the commencement of a professional placement will not be able to undertake their mandatory placement units and this will impede progress in the course.

Students with a criminal record are not precluded from enrolling in Therapeutic Child Play or Play Therapy at Deakin but may face difficulties in obtaining placements which are required to complete the degree. Many agencies are reluctant to place students whom they perceive may place service users, staff or the organisation itself at risk, e.g. when offending has involved crimes of violence against children or adults, or crimes of deception such as fraud and embezzlement.

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.

Working With Children Check (or State/Territory equivalent)

In accordance with the Worker Screening Act 2020, all students are required to undertake a Working with Children Check prior to their first placement unit. Students who fail to obtain a Working with Children Check prior to the commencement of professional placement will not be able to undertake their mandatory placement units and this will impede progress in the course.

NDIS Worker Screening Check

Students may be required to undertake a NDIS Worker Screening Check to comply with any requirements as specified by a particular placement organisation. This is an assessment of whether a person poses risk to NDIS participants. A placement organisation may refuse to accept a student for placement if they fail to obtain a NDIS Worker Screening Check. This may impede progression in the course.

Immunisation Status

Students are a potential source of infection for service users and colleagues and may be required to comply with any requirements for immunisation as specified by a particular placement organisation. Students are required to declare their immunisation status to satisfy the requirements of health and human service organisations where they will be undertaking their professional learning experience. A placement organisation may refuse to accept a student for placement if the student’s immunisation status is not satisfactory to the placement organisation. This may impede progression in the course.

Alternative exits

Graduate Certificate of Therapeutic Child Play (H505)

Course Learning Outcomes

Deakin Graduate Learning Outcomes	Course Learning Outcomes
Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities	Integrate knowledge of attachment, child development, neuroscience and psychopathology to design, implement and scaffold a therapeutic child play intervention.
Communication	Demonstrate verbal, written and interpersonal communication skills necessary to convey ideas, proposals and findings, pertaining to therapeutic child play to a variety of audiences.
Digital literacy	Use appropriate technologies to find, use and disseminate information; and use technologies consistent with ethico-legal requirements for the management of personal information and clinical record keeping.
Critical thinking	Demonstrate an ethical research approach to identify, analyse and critically evaluate evidenced-based practice integrated with relevant literature.
Problem solving	Apply knowledge and skills to assess, plan, implement, evaluate a therapeutic treatment plan or refer to a Child Play Therapist or other Practitioner.
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 Diploma of Therapeutic Child Play students must pass 8 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
8 credit points of core units

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

HSO713

Therapeutic Assessment of Play

HSO715

Childhood Developmental Neuroscience and Psychopathology

Trimester 2

HSO709

Therapeutic Use of Self

HSO712

Engaging Children in Play Using Directive Approaches

HSH725

Research Literacy

HSO725

Therapeutic Medical Play

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.

Course duration

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

Fees and charges

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

Estimate your fees

For further information regarding tuition fees, other fees and charges, invoice due dates, withdrawal dates, payment methods visit our Current students website.