Master of Child Play Therapy

2025 Deakin University Handbook

Year	2025 course information
Award granted	Master of Child Play Therapy
Deakin course code	H706
Faculty	Faculty of Health
Campus	Online, however there are significant placement and campus requirements
Online	Yes
Duration	2 years full-time or part-time equivalent.
Course Map - enrolment planning tool	These course maps are for new students commencing from Trimester 1 2025: Option A stream - full-time Option A stream - part-time Option B stream - full-time Option B stream - part-time 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 9

Course sub-headings

Course overview

The Master of Child Play Therapy trains you to support children’s psychosocial, emotional and mental health and wellbeing through the therapeutic powers of play. Graduate from this internationally recognised course ready to apply for registration as a play therapist and join a rewarding profession that is growing in demand.

Want the skills to make a profound impact on the long-term health, wellbeing and happiness of children?

Even adults with years of life experience can find it hard to work through difficult feelings and experiences. It can be more difficult for children. Play therapy is increasingly being used as a way of helping children overcome challenges in their life and make sense of their experiences. The beauty of play therapy is its developmental sensitivity. It allows children to express themselves through a comforting and familiar medium – play!

Just as adults may need to talk about difficulties with a counsellor or psychologist, children can benefit greatly from playing about their experiences. Through play, and within the safety of a therapeutic relationship, children can process difficult life experiences including trauma, abuse, neglect, illness, grief and loss, and a range of social, emotional, behavioural and mental health difficulties. Play therapy is an evidenced-based approach for working with children based on the premise that play is a child’s first language, and that play is therapeutic.

If you hold a minimum of a bachelor degree in a related discipline, love working with children and want to play a pivotal role in their psychosocial and emotional development, a career in play therapy will be incredibly rewarding. The Master of Child Play Therapy will give you everything you need to get there. It is an internationally recognised degree, accredited by the Australasia Pacific Play Therapy Association (APPTA), and the only course of its kind offered by an Australian university. It is also a recognised pathway to becoming a Registered Play Therapist. Upon graduation, you will have the practical experience and professional recognition needed to apply for registration.

The course explores evidence-based principles in play therapy, and the study areas you will cover reflect the needs of the industry today and into the future. Some of the key areas include:

History and foundations of play therapy
Childhood development
Neuroscience and psychopathology in children
Attachment and trauma
Therapeutic assessment
Therapeutic medical play
Therapeutic use of self
Engaging children in therapeutic play
Humanistic Play Therapy
Filial Play Therapy

A strong focus of the curriculum is developing your reflective, interpersonal, creative and expressive skills. These are crucial skills that allow you to work effectively with both children and their families.

While the course is conveniently delivered on our premium online learning platform, allowing you to study at your own pace, there are many opportunities to apply your skills through practical learning in your own community. For example, you will get to experience what it’s really like to work as a play therapist through 250 hours of clinical placement. You can secure placements in a variety of settings such as preschools, childcare centres, primary schools, allied health services, disability services and private practice.

The course also offers a research pathway for students interested in continuing their studies at a research level, where you will develop your practical research skills and hone your critical analysis

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 hours or more per week in study across Trimester 1 in the first year of the program. 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. Students who are working or who have other significant commitments typically undertake the course part-time. No play therapy units run in Trimester 3; however, students may undertake the research unit HSH725 in Trimester 3 depending on their individual course plan.

In addition, there are significant placement and campus requirements throughout the program. Within the Master of Child Play Therapy students complete three placement units (HSO712, HSO720 and HSO723) and a total of 250 clinical hours and 70 hours of clinical supervision. Clinical play therapy supervisors are provided by Deakin. Placement units run the full length of the trimester including the study and examination 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. Intensive workshops are held on-campus for the placement units HSO712 and HSO720 across 5 days at the Geelong Waterfront campus. The intensive workshop for the placement unit HSO723 is held virtually across 5 days.

Teaching intensive workshop dates are listed here.

Professional recognition

Deakin’s Master of Child Play Therapy was the first masters degree in Australia to be accredited by the Australasia Pacific Play Therapy Association (APPTA). As a graduate of this course you’ll be eligible to apply to become a Registered Play Therapist with 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

Play therapy is an emerging profession in Australia. Parents and healthcare providers are becoming increasingly aware of the value of play therapy, especially as mental health issues in children continue to rise. As a result, the demand for qualified therapists has increased. The Master of Child Play Therapy puts you in a strong position to take advantage of this growing demand.

When you graduate from the course, you will be eligible to apply for registration as a play therapist with the Australasia Pacific Play Therapy Association (APPTA). Once you are registered, you can start working independently as a play therapist in:

private practice
schools
hospitals
charitable organisations
government departments.

Your unique skill set will also open up employment opportunities in other areas that intersect with children's health such as:

child protection and children's services
domestic violence support
family support services
the legal system (particularly in court evaluations of children’s needs)

Participation requirements

The course involves compulsory clinical placement units with 250 clinical hours and 70 hours of online supervision required for course completion. Each placement unit (HSO712, HSO720, HSO723) consists of an intensive teaching workshop held prior to the start of each placement. 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. Intensive workshops may take place outside of the trimester teaching period.

Intensive workshops are held on-campus for the placement units HSO712 and HSO720 across 5 days at the Geelong Waterfront campus. The intensive workshop for the placement unit HSO723 is held virtually across 5 days.

Teaching intensive 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.

Pathways

This course provides a pathway to higher degree by research courses and other postgraduate coursework programs. Student who completes the 2CP Research (Minor Project) may be able to extend their research career by undertaking a PhD if desired. This, however does not guarantee a place as preference will be given to highest academic and research achievement and subject to staff availability.

Students who have successfully completed the Graduate Diploma of Therapeutic Child Play (H605) (and hold a Bachelor degree in a related area) can receive up to 8 credit points of recognition of prior learning (RPL) into the Master of Child Play Therapy.

Alternative exits

Graduate Certificate of Therapeutic Child Play (H505)
Graduate Diploma of Therapeutic Child Play (H605)

Course Learning Outcomes

Deakin Graduate Learning Outcomes	Course Learning Outcomes
Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities	Apply an advanced and integrated theoretical and practical knowledge of the principles underlying Play Therapy and the processes involved in therapeutic practice.
Communication	Demonstrate verbal, written and interpersonal communication necessary to interpret theoretical positions, convey ideas, proposals and findings, pertaining to Play Therapy, to a specialist and non-specialist audiences.
Digital literacy	Use appropriate technologies to locate credible discipline-specific information and disseminate this information to specialist and other professional groups in an ethical and professional manner.
Critical thinking	Demonstrate an ethical research approach to critically evaluate, analyse and synthesize complex cases, problems, concepts and theories in the field of Play Therapy.
Problem solving	Apply advanced knowledge and skills to and select appropriate therapeutic approach(s) and modify treatment plans as required to solve a range of problems within the field of Play Therapy.
Self-management	Demonstrate personal autonomy and expert professional judgement in the field of Play Therapy showing responsibility and accountability, in conjunction with reflective practice.
Teamwork	Establish and maintain collaborative professional relationships demonstrating responsibility and accountability to the child, family, carers, multidisciplinary professionals and other relevant stakeholders.
Global citizenship	Demonstrate professional and ethical practice and respect for diverse social, cultural and environmental contexts, and an awareness of international developments in Play Therapy.

Course rules

To complete the Master of Child Play Therapy students must pass 12 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
10 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

Year 1 - 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

Year 1 - Trimester 2

HSO709

Therapeutic Use of Self

HSO712

Engaging Children in Play Using Directive Approaches

and two 1 credit point elective units

Year 2 - Trimester 1

HSO720

Humanistic Play Therapy

Year 2 - Trimester 2

HSO723

Systemic Play Therapy

HSO717

Professional Practice and Behaviour

Elective units

Select two 1 credit point elective units

HSH725

Research Literacy **

and one of

HSO725

Therapeutic Medical Play

HDS732

Determinants of Health and Wellbeing in the Lives of People with Disability

Select both elective units:

HSH731

Minor Project A ***

HSH732

Minor Project B ***

** must select a research pathway of either HSH725 and one other elective or HSH731 and HSH732 (i.e. must complete at least one research unit).

*** must complete if student wishes to undertake HDR minimum entry requirement and must attain >70% grade.

Work experience

There are clinical placements throughout the course - see individual unit descriptions for full details. These 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.

Income support

Domestic students enrolled in this postgraduate coursework program may be eligible for student income support through Youth Allowance and Austudy.

Further information can be found at Deakin University's Fees website.

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 completing the Master can select from two pathways obtaining either one credit point or two credit points 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.