Course

Master of Art Therapy

Approved Abbreviation: MArtTher

Western Sydney University Course Code: 4595.9

AQF Level: 9

CRICOS Code: 013543F

Students should follow the course structure for the course version relevant to the year they commenced. This version applies to students whose commencement year in this course is Spring 2017 or later.

Units may be revised or replaced to ensure students are provided with up to date curriculum throughout their studies, and this may result in a new course version. Refer to the Check My Course Progress page in MySR for the most up to date information for your course.

For Commencement Year 2016 to Autumn 2017 - please refer to 4595.8 Master of Art Therapy

For Commencement Year 2015 - please refer to 4595.7 Master of Art Therapy

For Commencement Year 2013 to 2014 - please refer to 4595.6 Master of Art Therapy

For Commencement Year 2012 - please refer to 4595.5 Master of Art Therapy

For Commencement Year 2011 - please refer to 4595.4 Master of Art Therapy

For Commencement Year 2009 to 2010 - please refer to 4595.3 Master of Art Therapy

for Commencement Year 2007 to 2008 - please refer to 4595.2 Master of Art Therapy

For Commencement Year 2003 to 2006 - please refer to 4595.1 Master of Art Therapy

Art therapy is a form of individual, family and group psychotherapy in which participants engage in visual art processes within a therapeutic relationship with a highly trained art therapy practitioner. Art therapy is internationally recognised as a valuable therapeutic approach to a wide range of psychological, social and physical conditions. The Master of Art Therapy is a clinical training program that equips graduates with theoretical knowledge and practical experience for work in a variety of contexts including government and community organisations, health care settings and private practice. The Graduate Diploma in Art Therapy and Graduate Certificate in Art Therapy are available as an exit point only.

Study Mode
Two years full-time or four years part-time.

Accreditation
The Master of Art Therapy complies with the training guidelines of the Australian and New Zealand Arts Therapy Association (ANZATA) and has been approved by the ANZATA Accreditation Sub Committee. Course graduates are eligible to apply for professional registration with ANZATA. Depending on their field of employment, Master of Art Therapy graduates may be entitled to industrial award coverage as an Art Therapist under the 2007 NSW Health Professionals Award. This course is accredited by the Australian Counselling Association (ACA).

Inherent requirements

There are inherent requirements for this course that you must meet in order to complete your course and graduate. Make sure you read and understand the requirements for this course online.

Inherent requirements

Admission

Applicants must meet all of the following requirements:

Hold a qualification as detailed below

Submit a portfolio of work and CV directly to the School

Attend a group Interview on campus

Details of required qualification

Have successfully completed an undergraduate degree, or higher, in visual arts, fine arts, art education, design, architecture or visual media (e.g. photography. film, video and/or television), or have majored in one of these areas

Have successfully completed an undergraduate degree, or higher, in any discipline plus at least two units in visual arts, art education or design at university level, or a VET Diploma of Visual or Fine Arts

Have successfully completed an undergraduate degree, or higher, in any discipline plus be able to present written evidence to the satisfaction of the School of Social Sciences and Psychology of a minimum of five years of professional experience and training in the visual arts

Have successfully completed the Master of Social Science (Studies in Art Therapy) at Western Sydney University.

Details of Supporting Documents to be submitted directly to the School of Social Sciences and Psychology at Western Sydney University:

1. A 500 word statement of intent explaining the reason why you are seeking entry to the course and how your art practice relates to the therapeutic application of arts

2. A compressed digital portfolio of your own artwork (10 to 12 photographs of artwork)

AND

A full CV including:

Details of a minimum of one year of full-time or regular part-time work experience (paid, voluntary or student) in a supportive capacity with people in community, welfare, health, the arts or education settings, including dates and a description of duties

Details of training and experience in the visual arts.

The CV should also include names and contact details of two referees. Two relevant written references should be included by applicants seeking recognition of five years or more of experience and training in the visual arts.

Supporting documents should be sent by email directly to ssap@westernsydney.edu.au as soon as possible after applying through UAC and at latest by the final UAC closing date. Please put ‘Master of Art Therapy Supporting Documents’ in the subject field of your email.

Details of Group Interview

Invitations to the interview process will be selective, based on meeting the above entry criteria plus a consideration of all the supporting documentation. Interviewees must pass the interview to be considered for a place and will be ranked, as numbers admitted to the program may be limited.

Applications from Australian and New Zealand citizens and holders of permanent resident visas must be made via the Universities Admissions Centre (UAC). Use the links below to apply via UAC or Western Sydney University. Applications made directly to Western Sydney do not have an application fee.

Applicants who have undertaken studies overseas may have to provide proof of proficiency in English. Local and International applicants who are applying through the Universities Admissions Centre (UAC) will find details of minimum English proficiency requirements and acceptable proof on the UAC website. Local applicants applying directly to the University should also use the information provided on the UAC website.

http://www.uac.edu.au/

https://westernsydney.uac.edu.au/ws/

International applicants must apply directly to the Western Sydney University via the International Office. International students applying to The University through the International Office can find details of minimum English proficiency requirements and acceptable proof on their website.

International Office

Overseas qualifications must be deemed by the Australian Education International - National Office of Overseas Skills Recognition (AEI-NOOSR) to be equivalent to Australian qualifications in order to be considered by UAC and Western Sydney University.

Special Requirements Prerequisites
National Police Check and Working with Children Check are required for units 101784 Clinical Studies (Art Therapy) and 101785 Further Clinical Studies (Art Therapy) and these checks are completed on enrolment to the course.

Course Structure

Qualification for this award requires the successful completion of 160 credit points consisting of the units listed in the recommended sequence below.

Note: Students may exit with the 4596 Graduate Diploma in Art Therapy after completing the first year of the Master of Art Therapy (80 credit points).

4596 - Graduate Diploma in Art Therapy (exit only)

Students may exit with 1700 Graduate Certificate in Art Therapy (exit only) after completing the following two units - 101303 Art Therapy: Histories, Theories, Groups and 102354 Art Therapy: Approaches and Applications (40 credit points).

1700 - Graduate Certificate in Art Therapy (exit only)

Recommended Sequence

Full-time

Year 1

Autumn Session

101303

Art Therapy: Histories, Theories, Groups

102353

Foundations of Psychotherapy and Counselling 1

Spring Session

102354

Art Therapy: Approaches and Applications

102527

Integrating Arts and Therapy

Year 2

1H Session

101784

Clinical Studies (Art Therapy)

Autumn Session

102357

Ethics and Diversity in Research and Therapy

102176

Theories of Difference and Diversity

Please note: Unit 102176 is taught at Parramatta City only.

2H Session

101785

Further Clinical Studies (Art Therapy)

102358

Practising Research and Researching Practice

Spring Session

102178

Critical and Creative Enquiry

Please note: From Spring session 2018 the 10 credit point units 102358 - Practising Research and Researching Practice and 102178 - Critical and Creative Enquiry have been replaced by the 20 credit point unit 102628 - Critical and Creative Enquiry.

Part-time

Year 1

Autumn Session

101303

Art Therapy: Histories, Theories, Groups

Spring Session

102354

Art Therapy: Approaches and Applications

Year 2

Autumn Session

102353

Foundations of Psychotherapy and Counselling 1