Australia’s only specialised play therapy masters
Build skills through experiential play learning
Join an emerging child-centred profession
Why choose child play therapy at Deakin
The Master of Child Play Therapy prepares you to support children’s mental health and wellbeing through evidence-based play therapy approaches. The only course of its kind in Australia, it equips you with the advanced knowledge, practical skills and professional experience needed to work as a play therapist across health, education and community settings.
You will explore areas including child, play and brain development, childhood attachment, trauma and psychopathology, the history and foundations of play therapy and counselling, and humanistic, integrative and systemic approaches to play therapy practice, while developing reflective, interpersonal and practical skills. Through supervised placements, you will apply play therapy interventions in settings such as schools, allied health services, and private practice clinics.
Guided by clinically experienced internationally connected academics and informed by contemporary research and industry standards in play therapy and counselling, the course prepares you to support children and families through developmentally sensitive, person-centred therapy.
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Study Australia’s only specialised masters-level play therapy course
Develop advanced play therapy and counselling skills through a course designed specifically for child play therapy practice.
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Build play therapy knowledge and skills through immersive learning
Be part of a unique program where play underpins both therapeutic practice and your own learning experience.
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Develop confidence and competence in play therapy skills
Complete placements in play therapy supported by intensive teaching workshops and clinical supervision.
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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
Play therapy is an emerging and rapidly developing field in Australia, with growing awareness of its benefits among parents, caregivers and healthcare providers. The Master of Child Play Therapy prepares graduates with the specialised knowledge and skills to respond to growing demand for children’s mental health, wellbeing and disability support.
Professional settings
- Private practice
- Schools
- Hospitals
- Charitable organisations
- Government departments
Key dates
Direct applications
Trimester 1 2027 applications close 17 January 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 Master of Child Play Therapy?
Develop advanced, evidence-based play therapy and counselling skills to support children's social, emotional, mental health and wellbeing. Through placements, clinical supervision and immersive learning, build the reflective, interpersonal and therapeutic capabilities required to work across health, education and community settings.
Build foundations in play therapy theory and practice
Explore evidence-based play therapy approaches
Build knowledge of the foundations, theories and contemporary practices that shape play therapy.
Understand child development and therapeutic assessment
Examine childhood development, neuroscience and psychopathology, attachment and trauma while developing skills in therapeutic assessment.
Develop therapeutic engagement skills
Learn about play therapy and counselling approaches while strengthening reflective practice, interpersonal communication, reflexivity and the therapeutic use of self.
Apply advanced play therapy practice with children and families
Build practical play therapy experience
Complete supervised placements and intensive workshops that strengthen therapeutic work with children and families.
Explore advanced play therapy approaches
Develop humanistic, systemic and integrative play therapy skills that support child-centred and family-based play therapy practice.
Tailor your studies to your professional interests
Choose electives or a minor research project to deepen your knowledge in areas such as therapeutic medical play, disability and wellbeing or research practice.
Course structure
To complete the Master of Child Play Therapy, you must pass 12 credit points. The number of credit points required may vary, depending on your entry point or how much credit you receive as recognition of prior learning (RPL) based on your professional experience and previous qualifications.
Most units are equal to one credit point. As a full-time student you will study four credit points per trimester and usually undertake two trimesters per year.
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
Year 1 - Trimester 1
Trimester 2
and two 1 credit point elective units
Year 2 - Trimester 1
Trimester 2
Select two 1 credit point elective units
One of
And one of
OR
Select both elective units:
** must select a research pathway of either HSH725 or HSH753 and one other elective or HSH731 and HSH732 (i.e. must complete at least one research unit).
*** Students must have a minimum Weighted Average Mark (WAM) of 60 to be eligible to undertake the minor project option.
Professional recognition
Graduate from a course setting a new benchmark for play therapy education. Deakin’s Master of Child Play Therapy is the first play therapy course to be reviewed and accredited by the Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia (PACFA) under its current Accreditation Standards.
This accreditation recognises that the course meets PACFA’s standards for high-quality counselling education that is aligned with national expectations and prepares graduates for safe, ethical and competent professional practice. When you graduate, you will be eligible to apply to PACFA for registration as a Certified Practising Counsellor.
For more information, view PACFA’s accredited programs.
What to expect while studying
You may be able to study available units in the optional third trimester to fast-track your degree, however your course duration may be extended if there are delays in meeting course requirements, such as completing a placement.
Domestic students enrolled in this postgraduate coursework program may be eligible for student income support through Youth Allowance and Austudy.
Further information can be found at Deakin University's Fees website.
In accordance with the policies of health and human services organisations, all students are required to undertake a National Police Record Check prior to professional placements in each calendar year that they are enrolled in a placement unit. Students who fail to obtain a Police Record Check prior to the commencement of a professional placement will not be able to undertake their mandatory placement units and this will impede progress in the course.
Students with a criminal record are not precluded from enrolling in Therapeutic Child Play or Play Therapy at Deakin but may face difficulties in obtaining placements which are required to complete the degree. Many agencies are reluctant to place students whom they perceive may place service users, staff or the organisation itself at risk, e.g. when offending has involved crimes of violence against children or adults, or crimes of deception such as fraud and embezzlement.
The Faculty of Health Work Integrated Learning Team utilise an online service called 'Fit2Work' for police checks, and students will receive an email with instructions on how to apply. Students should not apply for a police check until they have received this email from Fit2Work. This police check needs to be completed prior to commencing a placement unit and must be current to the year you are undertaking placement.
Working With Children Check (or State/Territory equivalent)
In accordance with the Worker Screening Act 2020, all students are required to undertake a Working with Children Check prior to their first placement unit. Students who fail to obtain a Working with Children Check prior to the commencement of professional placement will not be able to undertake their mandatory placement units and this will impede progress in the course.
NDIS Worker Screening Check
Students may be required to undertake a NDIS Worker Screening Check to comply with any requirements as specified by a particular placement organisation. This is an assessment of whether a person poses risk to NDIS participants. A placement organisation may refuse to accept a student for placement if they fail to obtain a NDIS Worker Screening Check. This may impede progression in the course.
Immunisation Status
Students are a potential source of infection for service users and colleagues and may be required to comply with any requirements for immunisation as specified by a particular placement organisation. Students are required to declare their immunisation status to satisfy the requirements of health and human service organisations where they will be undertaking their professional learning experience. A placement organisation may refuse to accept a student for placement if the student’s immunisation status is not satisfactory to the placement organisation. This may impede progression in the course.
Inherent requirements
All prospective applicants should review the Inherent Requirements of the course, which describe the skills, values and behaviours that students need to complete the program of study. These requirements are non-negotiable, but there may be a range of ways in which you can demonstrate them.
As a student undertaking an online course (with on-campus teaching intensives in some units) 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, teaching intensives, placements and assessment tasks may also take place outside of the trimester teaching periods. You can refer to the individual unit details in the course structure for more information on each unit.
If you are undertaking the course full-time, you can anticipate spending 40 hours or more per week in study across Trimester 1 in the first year of the program. Trimester 1 focuses on foundational theoretical knowledge and consists of four theory units (HSO710, HSO711, HSO713 and HSO715). These units are designed to be self-paced so that you can work through the material at a time that suits. Students who are working or who have other significant commitments typically undertake the course part-time. No play therapy units run in Trimester 3; however, students may undertake the research unit HSH725 in Trimester 3 depending on their individual course plan.
In addition, there are significant placement and campus requirements throughout the program. Within the Master of Child Play Therapy students complete three supervised placement units (HSO712, HSO720 and HSO723) and a minimum of 200 clinical hours and 50 hours of clinical supervision. Clinical play therapy supervisors are provided by Deakin. Placement units run the full length of the trimester including the study and examination period. All placements must be undertaken in Australia.
Each placement unit also consists of a compulsory intensive teaching workshop held prior to the start of placement that must be attended live.
The course involves compulsory clinical placement units. Each placement unit (HSO712, HSO720, HSO723) consists of an intensive teaching workshop held prior to the start of each placement. You will be required to attend intensive workshops live across consecutive days and will need to take time off work and other commitments to attend. Intensive workshops may take place outside of the trimester teaching period.
Intensive workshops are held on-campus for the placement units HSO712 and HSO720 across 5 days at the Geelong Waterfront campus. The intensive workshop for the placement unit HSO723 is held virtually across 5 days.
Teaching intensive workshop dates are listed here.
There are three clinical placements throughout the course - see individual unit descriptions for full details. These placements must be undertaken in Australia.
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 |
|---|
| Apply an advanced and integrated theoretical and practical knowledge of the principles underlying Play Therapy and the processes involved in therapeutic practice. |
| Communicate respectfully and professionally using a range of media to convey play therapy concepts and theories to varied audiences, establish therapeutic relationships, and facilitate therapeutic change among diverse client groups. |
| Select and use a range of digital technologies to locate and ethically communicate credible information to clients, caregivers and other professionals, and deliver technology-mediated therapy where suitable. |
| Critically evaluate and integrate theory, research, international developments and best practice to inform ethical, evidence-informed Play Therapy practice. |
| Apply specialised Play Therapy skills and knowledge to assess, plan, implement, and review tailored therapy interventions that address a range of client issues. |
| Demonstrate personal autonomy and professional judgement through responsible, accountable, and reflective practice, including self-awareness and use of self in Play Therapy. |
| Establish and maintain collaborative professional and supervisory relationships and actively contribute to multidisciplinary teams to support ethical and effective client care in Play Therapy contexts. |
| Demonstrate professional, ethical, culturally safe and child safe practices within diverse communities including with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. |
- Award granted
- Master of Child Play Therapy
- Year
2027 course information
- Deakin code
- H706
- Level
- Higher Degree Coursework (Masters and Doctorates)
- Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) recognition
The award conferred upon completion is recognised in the Australian Qualifications Framework at Level 9
Fees
Estimated tuition fee
$34,200
for 1 yr full-time - Full-fee paying place
The estimated tuition fee above is based on a typical first-year full-time enrolment of 8 credit points 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 all or part of your tuition fees.
Save 10% as a Deakin alumni
We love welcoming Deakin alumni back to continue their journey with us. If you're starting a postgraduate award course, you may be eligible for a 10% discount on your enrolment fees, applied per unit. It's our way of supporting your next step.
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. Places in this course are limited and entry is competitive, so we encourage you to submit your application early.
Key dates
Direct applications
Trimester 1 2027 applications close 17 January 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
This course provides a pathway to higher degree by research courses and other postgraduate coursework programs. Student who completes the 2CP Research (Minor Research Project) may be able to extend their research career by undertaking a PhD if desired. This, however does not guarantee a place as preference will be given to highest academic and research achievement and subject to staff availability.
Alternate exits
- Graduate Certificate of Therapeutic Child Play (H505)
- Graduate Diploma of Therapeutic Child Play (H605)