Program Overview

---

Master of Art Therapy

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.

Admission Requirements

• Hold a qualification as detailed below
• Submit a portfolio of work, Statement of Intent and CV
• 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
• Or have successfully completed an undergraduate degree, or higher, in any discipline plus at least two subjects in visual arts, art education or design at university level
• Or 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 of a minimum of five years of professional experience and training in the visual arts
• Or have successfully completed the Master of Social Science (Studies in Art Therapy) at Western Sydney University

Program Structure

Students may exit with the 4596 Graduate Diploma in Art Therapy (exit only) after completing the first year of the Master of Art Therapy (80 credit points). Students may exit with 1700 Graduate Certificate in Art Therapy (exit only) after completing the following two subjects - CART 7005 Art Therapy: Histories, Theories, Groups and CART 7004 Art Therapy: Approaches and Applications (40 credit points).

Recommended Sequence

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

Full-time

• Year 1:
  • Autumn: CART 7005 Art Therapy: Histories, Theories, Groups, WELF 7032 Counselling Skills for the Allied Professions, WELF 7029 Indigenous Australia: History, Knowledge and Professional Practice
  • Spring: CART 7004 Art Therapy: Approaches and Applications, CART 7010 Integrating Arts and Therapy
• Year 2:
  • 1H: WELF 7001 Clinical Studies (Art Therapy)
  • Autumn: WELF 7008 Ethics and Diversity in Research and Therapy, HUMN 7044 Theories of Difference and Diversity 1
  • 2H: WELF 7011 Further Clinical Studies (Art Therapy)
  • Spring: HUMN 7009 Critical and Creative Enquiry

Part-time

• Year 1:
  • Autumn: CART 7005 Art Therapy: Histories, Theories, Groups
  • Spring: CART 7004 Art Therapy: Approaches and Applications
• Year 2:
  • Autumn: WELF 7032 Counselling Skills for the Allied Professions, WELF 7029 Indigenous Australia: History, Knowledge and Professional Practice
  • Spring: CART 7010 Integrating Arts and Therapy
• Year 3:
  • 1H: WELF 7001 Clinical Studies (Art Therapy)
  • 2H: WELF 7011 Further Clinical Studies (Art Therapy)
• Year 4:
  • Autumn: WELF 7008 Ethics and Diversity in Research and Therapy, HUMN 7044 Theories of Difference and Diversity 1
  • Spring: HUMN 7009 Critical and Creative Enquiry

Accreditation

The Master of Art Therapy complies with the training guidelines of the Australian, New Zealand and Asian Creative Arts Therapies Association (ANZACATA) and has been approved by the ANZACATA Accreditation Sub Committee. Program graduates are eligible to apply for professional registration with ANZACATA.

Inherent Requirements

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

Work Integrated Learning

Western Sydney University seeks to enhance student learning experiences by enabling students to engage in the culture, expectations and practices of their profession or discipline. This Program includes a placement or other community-based unpaid practical experience.

Special Requirements

• NSW Health Compliance, National Police Check and Working with Children Check are required for subjects WELF 7001 Clinical Studies (Art Therapy) and WELF 7011 Further Clinical Studies (Art Therapy)
• Mandatory NSW Health student placement policy requirements
• School Requirements: Contact your School for further details regarding your School's requirements

Equivalent Core Subjects

The core subject listed below counts towards completion of this program for students who passed this subject in 2020 or earlier.

• WELF 7009 - Foundations of Psychotherapy and Counselling 1 (20 credit points), replaced by WELF 7032 Counselling Skills for the Allied Professions and WELF 7029 Indigenous Australia: History, Knowledge and Professional Practice