Graduate Diploma of Therapeutic Child Play
2027 Deakin University Handbook
| Year | 2027 course information |
|---|---|
| Award granted | Graduate Diploma of Therapeutic Child Play |
| Deakin course code | H605 |
| Course credit points | 8 |
| Faculty | Faculty of Health |
| Course information | For students who commenced from 2022 onwards |
| Campus | |
| Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) recognition | The award conferred upon completion is recognised in the Australian Qualifications Framework at Level 8 |
| Supplementary information | This course is an exit point only from H706 Master of Child Play Therapy |
Course sub-headings
- Course overview
- Indicative student workload
- Professional recognition
- Career opportunities
- Course learning outcomes
- Course rules
- Course structure
- Fees and charges
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).
Course learning outcomes
| Course Learning Outcomes |
|---|
| Integrate knowledge of attachment, child development, neuroscience and psychopathology to design, implement and scaffold a therapeutic child play intervention. |
| Demonstrate verbal, written and interpersonal communication skills necessary to convey ideas, proposals and findings, pertaining to therapeutic child play to a variety of audiences. |
| 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. |
| Demonstrate an ethical research approach to identify, analyse and critically evaluate evidenced-based practice integrated with relevant literature. |
| Apply knowledge and skills to assess, plan, implement, evaluate a therapeutic treatment plan or refer to a Child Play Therapist or other Practitioner. |
| 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 Diploma of Therapeutic Child Play you must pass 8 credit points. This includes:
- DAI001 Academic Integrity and Respect at Deakin (0-credit-point compulsory unit) in your first study period
- 8 credit points of core units.
Most units are equal to one credit point. As a full-time student you will study four credit points per trimester and usually undertake two trimesters per year.
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 |
| HSO713 | Therapeutic Assessment of Play |
| HSO715 | Childhood Developmental Neuroscience and Psychopathology |
| HSO709 | Therapeutic Use of Self |
| HSO712 | Child Play Therapy Placement |
| HSH725 | Research Literacy |
| HSO725 | Therapeutic Medical Play |
Fees and charges
Tuition fees will vary depending on the type of fee place you hold, your course, your commencement year, the units you choose to study, your study load and/or unit discipline.
Your tuition fees will increase annually at the start of each calendar year. All fees quoted are in Australian dollars ($AUD) and do not include additional costs such as textbooks, computer equipment or software, other equipment, mandatory checks, travel, consumables and other costs.
For further information regarding tuition fees, other fees and charges, invoice due dates, withdrawal dates, payment methods visit our Current students website.
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.