Master of Creative Arts Therapy (MC-CAT)

You’re currently viewing the 2021 version of this course

Overview

Award title	Master of Creative Arts Therapy
Year & campus	2021 — Southbank
CRICOS code	0100983
Fees information	Subject EFTSL, level, discipline and census date
Study level & type	Graduate Coursework
AQF level	9
Credit points	200 credit points
Duration	24 months full-time or 48 months part-time

The Master of Creative Arts Therapy is a blended learning program offering students a specialisation in either drama or dance movement therapy. Students undertake supervised creative arts therapies industry placements in various contexts including, community, health, and education

The Master of Creative Arts Therapy has been developed specifically for arts educators, community arts workers, health workers and therapists who are interested in training to practice as a drama or dance movement therapist. The creative arts therapies are a form of psychotherapy utilising creative modalities, including drama, dance, music and visual art-making within a therapeutic relationship to improve and inform physical, mental and emotional well-being.

It provides students with studies in theory, methods, research and professional practice across health, educational and community contexts. There is an emphasis on how each artistic modality is employed in teams with groups and individuals. The teaching method incorporates experiential, theoretical and practice-based learning approaches.

This course has been developed in collaboration with National Australian Music Therapy Research Unit and the Creative Arts Therapy Research Unit advisory Board.

Note: Additional requirement: Before commencement of the course, applicants are required to obtain a police check and a valid Working with Children Check.

Entry requirements

1. In order to be considered for entry, applicants must have completed:

an undergraduate degree or equivalent; or
6 years documented relevant work experience in creative or performing arts, or community arts practice, or education; and
artistic background as demonstrated by submission of an Artistic Experience Portfolio showing a significant interest in the relevant art form with documented artistic engagement; and
written proposal; and
an interview.

Meeting these requirements does not guarantee selection.

2. In ranking applications, the Selection Committee will consider:

Prior academic performance; or
Relevant documented work experience; and
Artistic Experience Portfolio; and
Written proposal; and
Interview (held with short listed applicants only).

3. The Selection Committee may seek further information to clarify any aspects of an application in accordance with the Academic Board rules on the use of selection instruments.

4. Applicants are required to satisfy the university’s English language requirements for graduate courses. For those applicants seeking to meet these requirements by one of the standard tests approved by the Academic Board, performance Band 6.5 is required.

Inherent requirements (core participation requirements)

Inherent requirements are the abilities, knowledge and skills needed to complete this course that must be met by all students. For information on the inherent requirements specific to this course contact the course/program coordinator. In some circumstances reasonable adjustments may be available to enable students to meet these requirements while still preserving the academic integrity of the university's learning, assessment and accreditation processes. For more information on how to seek these adjustments refer to the Student Equity and Disability Support website: https://services.unimelb.edu.au/student-equity/home

Intended learning outcomes

Upon completion of this course graduates should demonstrate:

expert skills to reflect critically on the role of creative arts therapists in educational, health and community contexts;
integrated understanding of the theories informing methods of practice used by creative arts therapists;
ability to apply different creative arts therapies methods in ways that address the identified needs of clients;
advanced communication skills in responding to the expressed needs of clients, colleagues and communities;
autonomous decision making, expert judgement, adaptability and responsibility in professional creative arts therapies practice;
technical skills in understanding findings from creative arts therapies research to inform practice and evaluation;
ability to engage with people in ethical and respectful ways.

Generic skills

an advanced understanding of the changing knowledge base in the specialist area;
an ability to evaluate and synthesise the research and professional literature in the discipline;
advanced skills and techniques applicable to the discipline;
well-developed problem-solving abilities in the discipline area, characterised by flexibility of approach;
advanced competencies in areas of professional expertise and/or scholarship;
a capacity to articulate their knowledge and understanding in oral and written presentations;
an advanced understanding of the international context and sensitivities of the specialist area;
an appreciation of the design, conduct and reporting of original research;
a profound respect for truth and intellectual integrity, and for the ethics of scholarship;
a capacity to manage competing demands on time, including self-directed project work;
an appreciation of the ways in which advanced knowledge equips the student to offer leadership in the specialist area;
the capacity to value and participate in projects which require team-work;
an understanding of the significance and value of their knowledge to the wider community (including business and industry);
a capacity to engage where appropriate with issues in contemporary society; and
where appropriate, advanced working skills in the application of computer systems and software and a receptiveness to the opportunities offered by new technologies.

Course structure

200-point program:

150 points of compulsory subjects
50 points of subjects compulsory to one of the following specialisations:
- Drama Therapy (50 credit points); or
- Dance Movement Therapy (50 credit points).

Year 1

Code	Name	Study period	Credit Points
CREA90002	Arts for Health and Wellbeing	Semester 1 (Online)	12.5
CREA90003	Evaluation of Wellbeing in Creative Arts	Semester 1 (Online)	12.5
CREA90004	Creative Arts Therapies Practice 1	Semester 1 (Early-Start) (Dual-Delivery - Southbank)	12.5
CREA90008	Creative Arts Therapies Practice 2	Semester 2 (Early-Start) (Dual-Delivery - Southbank)	12.5
CREA90009	Creative Arts Therapies Research 1	Semester 2 (Online)	12.5
CREA90012	Creative Arts Therapies in Health	Semester 2 (Online)	12.5

PLUS

Two compulsory subjects according to the specialisation being undertaken.

Year 2

Code	Name	Study period	Credit Points
CREA90013	Creative Arts Therapies Practice 3	Semester 1 (Early-Start) (Dual-Delivery - Southbank)	12.5
CREA90014	Creative Arts Therapies Research 2	Semester 1 (Online)	12.5
CREA90017	Creative Arts Therapists in Community	Semester 1 (Online)	12.5
CREA90007	Creative Arts Therapies in Education	Semester 2 (Online)	12.5
CREA90018	Creative Arts Therapies Practice 4	Semester 2 (Early-Start) (Dual-Delivery - Southbank)	12.5
CREA90019	Creative Arts Therapies Research 3	Semester 2 (Online)	12.5

PLUS

Two compulsory subjects according to the specialisation being undertaken.

Majors, minors & specialisations

Name	Credit Points
Drama Therapy	50
Dance Movement Therapy	50

Last updated: 18 April 2024

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