CRICOS Code: 013543F

This program applies to students who commenced in Spring 2018 or later.

Students should follow the program structure for the session start date relevant to the year they commenced.

For Commencement Year Autumn 2017 to Autumn 2018 - please refer to 4595.9 Master of Art Therapy

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

Art therapy is an individual, family, group and/or community practice in which participants engage in visual art processes within a psychotherapeutic 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 issues. 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.

Early Exits

Students may exit this program on completion of 40 credit points with a 1700 Graduate Certificate in Art Therapy (exit only) or on completion of 80 credit points with a 4596 Graduate Diploma in Art Therapy (exit only)

Program Advice

Patricia Parish

Prospective students should visit the following websites for general enquiries about this program.

Enquire about this program| Local Admission | International Admission |

 

Study Mode

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

Location

Location

Campus	Attendance	Mode	Advice
Parramatta Campus - Victoria Road	Full Time	Internal	Patricia Parish
Parramatta Campus - Victoria Road	Part Time	Internal	Patricia Parish

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. 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. The Master of Art Therapy is also accredited by the Australian Counselling Association (ACA) and graduates are eligible for professional membership.

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.

Inherent Requirements

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.

There is a mandatory work component required for completion of this program.  Please contact the Program Advisor listed above for information.

International students should also refer to the link below for more information and a link to the Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students (CRICOS).

Work Integrated Learning (WIL) for international students

Admission

Applicants must meet all of the following 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 (e.g. photography, film, video and/or television), or have majored in one of these areas

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 a VET Diploma of Visual or Fine Arts

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

Applicants must lodge a complete application through UAC or the Western Sydney University Portal, with all relevant supporting documentation attached, by the advertised UAC closing date.

Applications and supporting documentation must be submitted by the final UAC closing date of 31 January.

Details of Supporting Documents to be uploaded directly to your application:

1. A 500 word statement of intent explaining the reason why you are seeking entry to the program 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
3. A full CV/Resume using the provided template as a guide.  Please copy and paste the following link into your browser: http://www.westernsydney.edu.au/MAT_CV_Template

Your CV/Resume should include:

1. 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
2. Details of training and experience in the visual arts
3. The names and contact details of two referees

For applicants seeking recognition of five years or more of experience and training in the visual arts, two relevant written references should also be included in the CV/Resume.

Supporting documents should be uploaded to your application in PDF format as soon as possible after applying and at the latest by the final UAC closing date. Alternatively, they can be sent by email directly to admissions@westernsydney.edu.au.

Applications and supporting documentation must be submitted by the final UAC closing date of 31 January.

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 threshold score to be considered for a place, as numbers admitted to the program may be limited.

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

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

Applicants who have undertaken studies overseas may have to provide proof of proficiency in English. Local 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/

All other International applicants must apply directly to the 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 Pre-requisites

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) and successful applicants need to complete these checks on or soon after enrolment in the program.

Special Requirements - NSW Health Legislative Pre-requisites

Student Compliance Information for all Health-Related Placements

To enrol in this program, students must meet Western Sydney University program requirements. To attend a health-related placement in this program, Special Legislative Requirements will be assessed from the first year of study.

Western Program Requirements

Visit the Special Requirements webpage for details about your program.

Special Requirements

Mandatory NSW Health student placement policy requirements

To be able to undertake placement in any NSW Health facility you must be assessed as compliant with NSW Health student placement policy in the first year of your program, regardless of when you expect to go on your first placement. Access and read the NSW Student Compliance Information Booklet

NSW Student Compliance Information Booklet

Please ensure that you

1.  Find your existing National Police Check or apply for one
2.  Gather documentary evidence of your vaccination history
3.  Print and compete all relevant NSW Health forms relevant to the campus you are enrolled at or online enrolment requirements
4.  Follow booklet instructions on how to have your compliance documents assessed by NSW health staff.

International students have additional requirements: the link to the booklet will inform you of these requirements.

School Requirements

Contact your School for further details regarding your School’s requirements, if any, such as

• If you live outside of NSW or Australia and need to meet your state, territory or country’s compliance requirements
• If you need to meet different state, territory or country compliance requirements.
• NSW Working with Children Check (WWCC) or other state equivalent, valid for your entire program.
• Current approved first aid certificate valid for your entire program - approved program providers can be found at the Government Training website
• http://training.gov.au
• Other non-health related requirements

Student Compliance Resources are also available on the Placements Hub web page (NSW students only)

https://www.westernsydney.edu.au/learning_futures/home/placements_hub/placements_hub/student_compliance

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).

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 subjects - CART 7005 Art Therapy: Histories, Theories, Groups and CART 7004 Art Therapy: Approaches and Applications (40 credit points).

1700 - Graduate Certificate in Art Therapy (exit only)

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

Plan of Study Grid

Year 1
Autumn session		Credit Points
CART 7005	Art Therapy: Histories, Theories, Groups	20
WELF 7032	Counselling Skills for the Allied Professions	10
WELF 7029	Indigenous Australia: History, Knowledge and Professional Practice	10
	Credit Points	40
Spring session
CART 7004	Art Therapy: Approaches and Applications	20
CART 7010	Integrating Arts and Therapy	20
	Credit Points	40
Year 2
1H session
WELF 7001	Clinical Studies (Art Therapy)	20
	Credit Points	20
Autumn session
WELF 7008	Ethics and Diversity in Research and Therapy	10
HUMN 7044	Theories of Difference and Diversity 1	10
	Credit Points	20
2H session
WELF 7011	Further Clinical Studies (Art Therapy)	20
	Credit Points	20
Spring session
HUMN 7009	Critical and Creative Enquiry	20
	Credit Points	20
	Total Credit Points	160

¹

HUMN 7044 Theories of Difference and Diversity is taught at Parramatta City only.

Part-time

Plan of Study Grid

Year 1
Autumn session		Credit Points
CART 7005	Art Therapy: Histories, Theories, Groups	20
	Credit Points	20
Spring session
CART 7004	Art Therapy: Approaches and Applications	20
	Credit Points	20
Year 2
Autumn session
WELF 7032	Counselling Skills for the Allied Professions	10
WELF 7029	Indigenous Australia: History, Knowledge and Professional Practice	10
	Credit Points	20
Spring session
CART 7010	Integrating Arts and Therapy	20
	Credit Points	20
Year 3
1H session
WELF 7001	Clinical Studies (Art Therapy)	20
	Credit Points	20
2H session
WELF 7011	Further Clinical Studies (Art Therapy)	20
	Credit Points	20
Year 4
Autumn session
WELF 7008	Ethics and Diversity in Research and Therapy	10
HUMN 7044	Theories of Difference and Diversity 1	10
	Credit Points	20
Spring session
HUMN 7009	Critical and Creative Enquiry	20
	Credit Points	20
	Total Credit Points	160

¹

HUMN 7044 Theories of Difference and Diversity is taught at Parramatta City only.

Equivalent Core Subjects