Flexible part-time online study
Understand child development and therapeutic play
Apply therapeutic play to your current work
Why choose therapeutic child play at Deakin
The Graduate Certificate of Therapeutic Child Play is designed for professionals and practitioners who want to strengthen their understanding of child development, childhood mental health and wellbeing, and therapeutic play-informed practice.
Ideal for anyone who works with children including educators, health and allied professionals, mental health, wellbeing, and disability practitioners, the course explores the therapeutic benefits of play to support children’s development and wellbeing.
You will examine areas including child development, play development, brain development, trauma attachment, and the therapeutic benefits of play that can be applied within your existing practice.
Delivered part-time online, the course is informed by contemporary research and taught by clinically experienced internationally connected play therapy academics.
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Strengthen your professional practice with children
Learn about therapeutic play approaches that can be applied in education, health and community settings.
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Study child development and wellbeing in depth
Explore areas including child development, brain development, attachment, trauma and the foundations of therapeutic play and play therapy.
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Flexible study designed for working professionals
Study part-time online while building specialised knowledge that complements your existing professional experience.
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Learn from internationally connected academics
Study with clinically experienced academics contributing to leading play therapy research and scholarship in Australia and internationally.
Connected to industry
Deakin’s strong industry connections help shape your learning. Build practical experience in real workplace contexts through work-integrated learning, mentoring and networking opportunities. Industry advisory boards also help shape our degrees, which means what you study is current, relevant and aligned to what your future employers need.
Deakin puts employability first
Career outcomes
Build specialised therapeutic play skills to strengthen your work with children and families across education, health, allied health and community settings, and support progression within your existing profession.
Professional areas
- Education
- Counselling
- Occupational therapy
- Nursing
- Social work
- Mental health
Key dates
Direct applications
Trimester 1 2027 applications close 7 February 2027
FAQs
A Deakin postgraduate degree can help you advance your career, deepen your expertise in a specialist field, pivot into a new industry and stand out in a competitive job market. Every course is built with industry input and taught by academics who are active practitioners, so the skills you gain are immediately applicable. Postgraduate study at Deakin is also your chance to connect with leaders in your field and build a network of industry contacts who become valuable professional connections, giving you an advantage that goes well beyond the qualification itself.
Most Deakin postgraduate courses are fee-paying, but there are practical ways to manage the cost of study. You can defer fees with a FEE-HELP loan, repaid through the ATO once you earn above the income threshold. A number of courses have Commonwealth Supported Places where the government covers part of your tuition. Deakin scholarships recognise academic achievement, professional experience and financial need. If you've studied at Deakin before, you may be eligible for a 10% alumni discount. Recognition of prior learning can also reduce costs by crediting past study so you finish sooner.
Yes to all three. Most Deakin postgraduate degrees can be studied online, on campus or a blend of both, and you may be able to switch between full and part time at the start of each trimester to suit your life. If you want to move faster, select courses offer a one-year masters degree designed for working professionals. With three start dates each year for most courses – March, July and November – you don't have to wait long to begin.
The main differences are depth, duration and career outcomes. A graduate certificate is a short, focused qualification, typically six months full time, ideal for upskilling quickly in a specific area. A graduate diploma offers broader knowledge or supports a career change, usually one-year full time. A masters degree delivers advanced expertise and professional recognition, typically one to two years full time. You can also stack qualifications – complete a graduate certificate and use the credit towards a masters.
Each Deakin postgraduate course has a unique structure, check the course stucture section of the course page to see compulsory units, electives and any specialisation streams available. All courses are shaped by industry, so content reflects real challenges in your field. Many courses let you tailor your studies through elective units or specialisations, and some include a capstone project where you apply your learning to a genuine workplace problem.
Entry requirements vary by course, so check this tab on the course page for specific criteria. Most Deakin postgraduate courses require a relevant bachelor degree, though some may accept significant demonstrable work experience as an alternative. You may also be able to build eligibility through a graduate certificate or graduate diploma, which in many cases could count towards a masters degree.
Deakin postgraduate courses are built with industry input, so you're learning skills employers are actively looking for. Depending on your course, you may access work-integrated learning through placements, internships or industry projects with partners including Microsoft, KPMG, National Australia Bank and the Geelong Cats Football Club. DeakinTALENT, Deakin's career service, supports you throughout your studies and for life, helping you grow your network and connect with opportunities in your field.
Yes. Recognition of prior learning (RPL) may turn your previous study or work experience into course credit, reducing both your study time and tuition costs. For some masters degrees, you may be able to receive credit for up to two-thirds of the course, if eligible. Use the RPL calculator to get an indication of what you might receive, and note that prior learning must generally be within the last 10 years, although some courses have a shorter time limit. You can apply for RPL as part of your course application.
*Deakin references data from a range of government, higher education and reputable media sources. Learn more about our achievements on our University rankings page, or explore our sources page for supporting references.
What will I study in the Graduate Certificate of Therapeutic Child Play?
Build foundational knowledge in therapeutic play and develop a deeper understanding of child development, mental health and wellbeing. Designed for professionals and practitioners who work with children, the course explores therapeutic play approaches you can apply across education, health and community settings.
Build therapeutic play-informed knowledge
Explore the foundations of therapeutic play and play therapy
Learn how play can support children’s psychosocial, emotional and behavioural development and wellbeing across diverse settings.
Understand child attachment and trauma
Examine how attachment relationships and positive and adverse childhood experiences can influence children’s development, wellbeing and behaviour.
Tailor your studies to your professional interests
Choose electives in areas such as therapeutic assessment, therapeutic use of self, childhood neuroscience and therapeutic medical play.
Course structure
To complete the Graduate Certificate of Therapeutic Child Play, you must pass 4 credit points.
Most units are equal to one credit point.
Are you a current student? For course information that applies to the year you started your degree, visit the handbook.
All students are required to meet the University's academic progress and conduct requirements
Units
Professional recognition
The Graduate Certificate offers specialised postgraduate training in therapeutic play. Please note that the Graduate Certificate of Therapeutic Child Play does not equip you as a Play Therapist. Students who complete the Certificate may apply the knowledge and skills learned to their primary discipline and current work with children and families. Students aspiring to train and practice as a Play Therapist should undertake the Master of Child Play Therapy.
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.
What to expect while studying
Course duration may be affected by delays in completing course requirements, such as failing of units.
Mandatory student checks are not required for students undertaking the Graduate Certificate of Therapeutic Child Play.
As a student undertaking an online course 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, assessment tasks may also take place outside of the trimester teaching periods. All units are designed to be self-paced so that you can work through the material at a time that suits. You can refer to the individual unit details in the course structure for more information on each unit.
There are no work experience or placement requirements for students undertaking the Graduate Certificate of Therapeutic Child Play. Students who progress to undertake the Master of Child Play Therapy must undertake placement units as part of this degree.
At Deakin, we're committed to ensuring an inclusive environment that supports all students to belong, thrive and succeed. We work closely with students, where needed, to identify potential barriers to participation and where possible, provide tailored support so students can engage with learning and assessment activities.
If you are neurodivergent, have a disability, health condition or mental health condition that may impact your study or participation in university life, and want to know how Deakin could support you, contact our Domestic students (opens in a new window) or International students (opens in a new window) or Disability Resource Centre (opens email client) teams for a collaborative and confidential discussion. This discussion is to support you to make plans for your studies and future career and will not have any bearing on your application to the course.
When can I start?
When you study depends on your course, location and available intakes. Check the table to see when you can start and how study is offered throughout the year.
Your course learning outcomes describe the knowledge, skills and capabilities you’ll develop and be able to demonstrate by the time you graduate. Built into your course through your units and assessments, they provide a clear picture of what you’ll be equipped to know, understand and do – preparing you to apply your learning with confidence beyond university.
| Course Learning Outcomes |
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| Apply specialised theory and practical knowledge associated with child development, measurement of play ability and the impact of life events such as trauma on children’s development in the context of therapeutic child play. |
| Demonstrate the verbal, written and interpersonal communication skills to work with children and their carers appropriate to therapeutic child play to a variety of audiences. |
| Use appropriate technologies to find, use and disseminate discipline-specific information to a variety of audiences. |
| Critically evaluate and synthesise concepts and theories in therapeutic child play. |
| Apply knowledge and skills to measure and assess children to determine the need for therapeutic intervention and refer to a Child Play Therapist or other Practitioner to solve a range of problems. |
| Demonstrate personal autonomy and professional judgement in the field of therapeutic child play showing responsibility and accountability, in conjunction with reflective and ethical practice. |
| Establish and maintain collaborative professional relationships, demonstrating responsibility and accountability to the child, family and carers. |
| Demonstrate professional and ethical practice and respect for diverse social, cultural and environmental contexts that may impact children and families. |
- Award granted
- Graduate Certificate of Therapeutic Child Play
- Year
2027 course information
- Deakin code
- H505
- Level
- Postgraduate (Graduate Certificate and Graduate Diploma)
- Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) recognition
The award conferred upon completion is recognised in the Australian Qualifications Framework at Level 8
Fees
Estimated tuition fee
$17,100
- Full-fee paying place
The estimated tuition fee above is based on a typical enrolment of 4 credit points undertaken within the same academic year and is provided as a guide only. Your tuition fees are determined by your course and unit enrolment. Your tuition fees will vary depending on your study load, the course duration, and any approved recognition of prior learning. You may also be eligible for a FEE-HELP loan to defer payment of all or part of your tuition fees.
Scholarships
We want to help you excel at Deakin. Our scholarships recognise your dedication and achievements, providing financial support that can ease the cost of living and studying. With less pressure, you'll have more freedom to focus on what matters most – your education and future success.
Applications for 2027 are open
Ready to take the next step? Apply now to start your journey at Deakin and get ready for what’s next.
Key dates
Direct applications
Trimester 1 2027 applications close 7 February 2027
Apply now
Apply direct
Simply create an account in the Deakin Application Portal, enter your personal and educational details, upload your supporting documents and submit your application.
Recognition of prior learning
We value your previous study and experience. Recognition of prior learning enables you to get credit for what you've already achieved. When you apply, we'll consider your previous study and experience for recognition of prior learning.
Pathways
Students may be eligible to apply for credit for this course
Pathway for credit to other postgraduate coursework programs may be available.