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156 weeks
Mix of lectures, tutorials, arts workshops, group discussions, self-directed study and workplace learning. Online and On-Campus options available.
Full Time / Part Time / On-Campus / Online · Full-time: 8 subjects per year (3 trimesters of 11 weeks teaching + assessment week); approximately 3 hours lectures/tutorials plus 10 hours self-directed study per subject per week
February | May | September
Course Overview
Where You Can Study
Adelaide
Level 3, 127 Rundle Mall, Adelaide, SA 5000
Eligibility
Career & Study Pathways
Quality & Recognition
Academic Regulator
TEQSA
Accreditation Status
AccreditedCourse Content
Integrative Psychotherapy in Theory
Sets the foundation for knowledge and skills in counselling and integrative arts therapy practice, introducing theoretical frameworks including person-centred and experiential psychotherapy, Eastern and Indigenous practices, and psychodynamic interpersonal therapy.
Integrative Arts Therapy in Practice
Applies theory into practice through one-to-one therapeutic interactions with peers, building therapeutic relationships and assisting clients in exploring inner experiences.
Models of Arts Therapy Practice
Focuses on the theory and art making practice of art therapy methodologies, examining the expressive therapies continuum, person-centred, analytical, and mindfulness art therapy models.
Materials, Forms and Processes
Explores the lived experience of the art-maker using a wide variety of art media, experimenting with 2D and 3D art materials to discover their unique qualities and emotional responses.
Mental Health and Arts Therapy in Clinical Settings
Provides a comprehensive overview of mental health practice and the role of arts therapists in promoting mental health and wellbeing in clinical and community mental health settings, including an introduction to the DSM 5.
Embracing Culture, Diversity and Inclusion
Explores the ethical foundations of individual worldviews and develops knowledge, skills and awareness required to engage in ethical and culturally mindful therapeutic practices.
Ethics and Arts Therapy Practice
Develops understanding of ethical and legal issues critical to arts therapy practice, including ethical principles, frameworks, relevant legislation, and professional practice standards.
Arts Therapy in Group Practice
An experiential art therapy subject offering students both theory and group-work participation to fully understand Group Art Therapy, including planning, facilitation, and managing group participants.
Life Span Development
Explores key issues, theories, and methods in developmental psychology and life span development, taking an interdisciplinary approach examining evolution, embryology, attachment, and cultural history.
Expressive Modalities in Arts Therapy
Explores a diverse range of expressive art modalities including storytelling, movement, dance, voice, music, drama, and sand tray, applying the eight core processes common to expressive arts therapies.
Intermodal Philosophy and Theory
Covers the foundational theory, philosophy, and practice of an intermodal arts therapy approach, including a phenomenological view of the self and arts therapy case formulation.
Dance, Movement and Embodied Arts
Explores the integration of movement into multimodal arts practice, including body-psychotherapy, movement-based therapies, and the phenomenological, neurobiological, and developmental aspects of movement.
Creativity and Healing
Explores the historical and mythical roots of arts therapy, the hero's journey as a guide for healing, existential philosophy, and the connection between neuroscience and art therapy research.
Arts Therapy for Grief and Loss
Develops understanding and familiarity with techniques of case management concerning grief, loss and bereavement in the psychotherapeutic process, including cultural, sociological, and ethical aspects.
Assessment and Treatment Planning
Introduces evidence-based art therapy assessment and hypothesis development, focusing on case conceptualisation, case formulation frameworks, and treatment planning.
Responding to Trauma with the Arts
Brings together integrative understandings of trauma and its effects, providing theoretical and practical knowledge of trauma-informed approaches in arts therapy, including polyvagal theory and sensorimotor approaches.
Culturally Responsive Therapeutic Practice with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples
Supports students to develop ethical, reflexive, and culturally responsive practices when working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander clients, engaging with Australia's colonial history and Indigenous worldviews.
Arts Therapy with Children
Covers how to use expressive arts therapy to build relationships and attachments with children facing challenges such as adversity, trauma, grief, and neurodivergence, using visual arts, drama, play, sand tray, music and movement.
Integrating the Arts and Practice
An experiential subject bringing together key learnings across the course, with a strong emphasis on conducting art therapy sessions and evaluating clinical skills including adaptability, spontaneity, and intermodal practice.
Common Questions
Yes, the Bachelor of Arts Therapy is recognised by ANZACATA, the peak professional association for Creative Arts Therapies in Australia, New Zealand and Asia. Graduates of the Bachelor may be eligible for tier membership with ANZACATA.
The indicative course fee for the Bachelor of Arts Therapy is $65,400 for domestic students. The course is FEE-HELP approved for eligible applicants. Note that some elective subjects are held offsite and additional fees for accommodation and travel expenses may apply.
You must successfully complete 23 subjects, totalling 144 credit points, to complete the Bachelor of Arts Therapy. The course also includes two placement experiences. The academic year is structured into three trimesters, each consisting of 11 weeks of teaching followed by an assessment week. Full-time students typically complete 8 subjects per year, while part-time students typically complete 4 subjects per year.
The Bachelor of Arts Therapy is available on-campus in Melbourne and Sydney, as well as online. There is also an online option with on-campus intensive components. The course is exclusively available to domestic students commencing in 2026, with intakes in February, May, and September.
For each subject, you should allocate about three hours for lectures and tutorials. Additionally, you should allow approximately 10 hours per week per subject for self-directed study to complete prescribed readings, practice skills, conduct research, and complete assessments at your own pace. Your study will involve a mix of lectures, tutorials, arts workshops, group discussions, self-directed study and workplace learning.
Application
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Step 02
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Step 03
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