Recommended Study Sequence

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Accreditation

Accreditation is not yet available but is currently being set up by The Australian and New Zealand Association of Art Therapy (ANZATA).

Admission

Applications for the course must be made through the Universities Admissions Centre (UAC). Further information on admission to postgraduate courses is available on the Local Admissions section of the UWS website. International applicants should contact UWS International for details on admission.

Students must have

Undergraduate Degree in Visual Arts or Fine Arts;

Undergraduate Degree in Social Sciences, Psychology or Education, or Humanities with relevant major, plus substantial additional tertiary level training and experience in the Visual Arts including at least two relevant units of study at university level.

Recognition of equivalent learning including extensive and sustained relevant work experience and in-service training

PLUS (for all of the above)

A minimum of one year of equivalent full-time paid or voluntary employment working in a supportive capacity with people in a community, welfare, health or education setting.

Two written references/ letters of recommendation from currently available referees, at least one from a relevant work context as above.

Evidence of a developed and sustained visual arts practice together with demonstrated understanding of how this practice relates to training as an art therapist, in the form of a portfolio of the applicant’s artwork (originals or photo documentation) accompanied by a written artist’s statement of 200-250 words.

Submission in writing of a 200 -250 word statement of intent that explains why the person is seeking entry to the course.

Satisfactory performance at an entry interview.

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

Recommended Sequence

Full-time

Year 1

Autumn session

Art Therapy: Histories, Theories, Groups

This unit explores theories and practical experiences relevant to art therapy. Consideration is given to the major theroetical frameworks of art therapy, its historical development and group processes. There is a major experiential component which provides practical experience in exploring the process of art therapy by working in a group situation led by an experienced art therapist/s. The process will be explored and examined in relation to the self, to the self as artist and to therapeutic practice.

Counselling 1

This unit is a foundational unit for postgraduate counselling and therapeutic studies. It forms the first part of a 40 credit point sequence undertaken during the first year. Counselling 1 presents the foundational skills necessary for the successful inception of a productive counselling relationship. The sequenced, progressive presentation of these skills via experiential learning is framed by the simultaneous presentation of key theoretical concepts relevant to the skills in question. Students will be asked to consider how each of the major theoretical approaches to counselling and psychotherapy would conceptualise this stage of the relationship and the skills associated with it.

Spring session

Art Therapy: Application to Client Groups

This unit examines therapeutic approaches and their application to the field of art therapy with different client populations. Different models, techniques and processes will be explored and examined in relation to the self and to therapeutic practice. An experiential component provides practical experience in exploring the process of art therapy by working in a group situation led by an experienced art therapist/s.

Counselling 2

This unit is a foundational unit for postgraduate counselling and therapeutic studies. It forms the second part of a 40 credit point sequence undertaken during the first year. Counselling 2 offers further practice in foundational counselling skills introduced in Counselling 1. In addition, students are introduced to skills appropriate to the unfolding counselling/therapy relationship, such as confrontation and immediacy (here-and-now intervention). Continued skills practice in triads is required, plus continuing membership in the 'Here and Now' group initiated in 101328. Group work in this unit will be more challenging, inviting deeper levels of vulnerability and greater openness to giving and receiving honest feedbacfk. Assessment tasks will require analysis of group process and of students' own counselling skills over 6-8 counselling sessions with an undergraduate volunteer client. Theoretical perspectives will include concepts of problem-formation and change facilitation across the major paradigms; the significance of the therapeutic relationship across the major paradigms ('here and now' intervention vs 'there and soon' intervention); stages and change-points in the adult life cycle with appropriateness of varying therapeutic models to each stage.

Year 2

Autumn session

Clinical Studies

This unit aims to develop clinical practice skills: in Art Therapy for Master of Art Therapy students and in Counselling for Graduate Diploma in Counselling students. It will involve preparation for the field placements and group supervision of casework and issues arising from the placements. The unit involves a clinical placement working under the guidance of a clinical supervisor from the professional background of the students under supervision. Master of Art Therapy students will undertake 375 hours of placement ie 50% of the hours required for registration with the professional association. Counselling students will undertake 150 placement hours.

Research Methods for Humanities and Social Sciences

This unit provides core research training within a range of postgraduate courses. It requires the completion of four research topics in the following areas: research theory and design (e.g. epistemology, qualitative & quantitative) specific approaches (e.g. critical discourse analysis, feminist research); data collection methods (e.g. interviews, questionnaires) and methods of analysis (e.g. quantitative & qualitative). This unit is offered in flexible mode according to topic (typically one day's attendance or equivalent per topic). Topics vary each session depending on student demand.

Theories of the Social

This unit develops critical reflection on the role of theory in the social sciences. It requires the completion of four topics in areas such as: epistemology and disciplinary positioning of social theory; theories in social, cultural, historical and political contexts; current debates and theories in the social sciences. The unit is offered in flexible mode according to topic (typically one day’s attendance or equivalent per topic). Topics vary each session depending on student demand.

Spring session

Further Clinical Studies

This unit aims to develop clinical practice skills to the level required for professional registration. The unit involves 375 hous of clinical placement (Art Therapy students) and 150 hours (Counselling students) working under the guidance of a clinical supervisor. It will involve group supervision of casework and in-depth discussion of issues arising from placements.

Integrating Theory, Research and Practice

This unit is the capstone for the Master of Social Science. It extends students’ critical practice in their specialist field, building on ‘Theories of the Social’ and ‘Research Methods for the Humanities and Social Sciences’. Students will undertake intensive analyses of the links between theory, research and practice and prepare and carry out an investigation negotiated with an academic advisor. The unit consists of intensive workshops and a plenary seminar in which students present their work. Throughout the semester study groups based on specialties will meet with an academic ‘advisor’. A substantial ‘research report’ of activities/ investigations, analyses and interpretations will be produced that complies with the unit’s objectives. Note: Projects are not individually supervised, but will require the production of an individually completed research project and report.

Master of Art Therapy

The Master of Art Therapy is a clinical training program that equips practising visual artists with the theoretical knowledge and practical experience for working as art therapists in a wide variety of contexts.

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 assisting people in times of emotional distress and can be effective for clients with a wide range of psychological, social and physical problems.

Nationally and internationally, a Master of Art Therapy is the recognised qualification that entitles you to work as a professional in this field.

Therapeutic Studies and Counselling at UWS

The University of Western Sydney offers the only Master of Art Therapy course in NSW, one of three such courses available in Australia.

At UWS, you will gain skills and confidence through a balance of academic and experiential learning, with extensive opportunities to practise art therapy under supervision. The UWS course emphasises the therapeutic and pedagogical value of fine arts practice and encourages learning through creative exploration, interpersonal communication and self-reflection. Students become familiar with the histories, theories and practices of art therapy before undergoing intensive art therapy clinical training through 750 supervised hours of field placement.

Our permanent and casual teaching team for the Master of Art Therapy is composed of highly trained and experienced art therapists working alongside allied clinicians, social scientists and researchers. The art therapy course at UWS is housed in a recently restored, historic cottage on our Penrith campus, equipped with fine art materials, small and friendly studio teaching spaces, and tea and coffee making facilities.

It’s all about Career Opportunities

Professional art therapists are employed in a variety of settings, including health, government and community organisations and private practice. UWS art therapy students learn and practise generic counselling and therapy skills alongside the students in our postgraduate counselling program and study the theories and methodologies needed to undertake practitioner research within the field of art therapy. This makes our graduates attractive to an employment market that puts a high value on flexible and transferable practitioner skills and on the ability to research and critically reflect upon one’s area of professional practice.

Upon graduating, a substantial number of our students have been offered paid work by the agencies where these students undertook their clinical placements.

Professional Accreditation

Graduates of the course are eligible to apply for registration with ANZATA, the Australian and New Zealand Art Therapy Association and are entitled to coverage under the NSW State Health Professionals Award. Our course is consistent with ANZATA training guidelines and meets nationally and internationally recognised clinical training standards for the profession of art therapy.

Duration

Two years full-time or four years part-time. Since it is necessary to integrate theory and practice students will be encouraged, if they commence in part-time mode, to take the final 80 credit points in full-time mode if their circumstances allow. This will result in a three year composite program which is comprised of two years part-time and one year full-time. Students who are unable to proceed in this manner will still be able to complete the course over four years part-time.

Location

Penrith

Course Structure

Qualification for this award requires the successful completion of 160 credit points.

Professional Recognition

Graduates of the course are eligible to apply for registration with the ANZATA, the Australian and New Zealand Art Therapy Association which is in turn a member of PACFA, the Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia. A Graduate Diploma in Art Therapy is available as an exit point only and is not professionally recognised.

Admission Requirements

Applicants will possess either:

Bachelors Degree in Design, or Visual Arts (practice & theory) and prerequisite units in Psychology or their equivalent; OR

Bachelors Degree in Psychology; Or Behavioural Sciences; Or Health Sciences; Or Education and prerequisite units in Design and Visual Arts or their equivalent; OR

* Suitably qualified professionals (such as nurses, teachers or art practitioners) who have trained outside of the tertiary sector and hold diploma or certificate qualifications and current extensive professional experience in an education, health, social or community welfare context (minimum of 5 years) and can show equivalent knowledge of psychology and visual arts as required above.

Special Requirements

Applicants will be required to submit a folio of artwork demonstrating an active and sustained commitment to art practice.

Applicants are also required to submit:

A written statement of intent describing why the applicant wishes to enter the course; and

Curriculm Vitae; and

Two letters of reference from relevant professionals.

Applicants will be required to demonstrate substantial professional work experience in a relevant clinical or community context (paid or voluntary) such as education, health, social or community welfare, for a minimum of one year full-time or equivalent.

Applicants will also be required to participate in, and satisfy the requirements of an interview.

How to Apply

All domestic applications for entry to UWS postgraduate courses must be made through the Universities Admissions Centre (UAC). Step by step instructions are available on on How to Apply pages.

Recognition of Prior Learning

Students will be granted advanced standing on the basis of having completed the Graduate Diploma in Expressive Therapies as four units are common to both two degrees. Applications for academic advanced standing will be assessed in accordance with current UWS policy.

Do you need more information?

Request a course and application information pack:
Course Enquiry Form
International Course Enquiry Form

Alternatively you are welcome to contact us.