Course Overview

About This Course

Give back to the community through dance and drama with industry training. The Master of Creative Arts Therapy is a unique blended learning program offering you a specialisation in either drama or dance movement therapy. You will undertake supervised industry placements in various contexts including community, health and education.

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.

The course provides you 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.

An important part of training as a creative arts therapist is professional conduct and behaving respectfully and ethically, not only on placement but in the classroom environment. Managing yourself with appropriate boundaries, emotional self-regulation and reflexivity throughout the course is integral to your training and learning towards respecting clients, peers, supervisors, tutors and the wider community.

Eligibility

Entry Requirements

Requirements

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 and dance movement therapist.
Students must demonstrate readiness for professional learning and practice.
Participation requires the capacity to engage in a rigorous educational environment, both online, on campus and within industry placements.
Students must be committed to collaborative learning with peers and staff, ongoing self-reflection, and the ability to receive and integrate constructive feedback.
Students must be able to sustain focus, composure, and active participation while managing competing academic and interpersonal demands.
Students must be able to participate in assessment processes that may involve receipt of constructive feedback related to personal attributes as presented in therapeutic contexts.
Students must be able to approach material that may be sensitive, distressing, or potentially traumatic with professionalism and emotional regulation.
Access Melbourne entry scheme is available.

Career & Study Pathways

Where this takes you

Career Opportunities

Graduates of this program are eligible for professional registration with appropriate professional associations. In Australia, this is the DTAA (Dance Movement Therapy Association of Australasia) and ANZACATA (Australian, New Zealand and Asian Creative Arts Therapies Association). The course prepares graduates to practice as drama therapists and dance movement therapists across health, educational and community contexts.

Quality & Recognition

Accreditation & Migration

Accreditation Details

Academic Regulator

TEQSA

Accreditation Status

Accredited

Common Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

What specialisations are available in the Master of Creative Arts Therapy?

The Master of Creative Arts Therapy offers two specialisations: drama therapy and dance movement therapy. Drama therapy is an embodied, action-based form of psychological therapy using various aspects of drama and theatre within the therapeutic process, while dance movement therapy is the relational and therapeutic use of dance and movement to further the physical, emotional, cognitive, social, and cultural functioning of a person.

How is the Master of Creative Arts Therapy delivered?

The course is delivered using Blended Learning, which involves online study, two intensives per year on the Southbank Campus, as well as an industry placement of 40 days per year (2 days per week throughout the course, in addition to your day of classes).

What professional registration can graduates obtain after completing this course?

Graduates of this program are eligible for professional registration with the DTAA (Dance Movement Therapy Association of Australasia) and ANZACATA (Australian, New Zealand and Asian Creative Arts Therapies Association). The course has been approved by ANZACATA.

Who is the Master of Creative Arts Therapy designed for?

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 and dance movement therapist.

Are Commonwealth Supported Places available for this course?

Yes, Commonwealth Supported Places (CSPs) are available for the Master of Creative Arts Therapy at the University of Melbourne. Additionally, the Access Melbourne entry scheme is available for eligible applicants.

Application

How to Apply

Three simple steps to get enrolled

Step 01

Enquire

Click "Enquire Now" and tell us a little about yourself. It's free and takes 2 minutes.

Step 02

Submit Documents

Our team will guide you on exactly which documents to prepare and submit.

Step 03

Get Enrolled

Receive your offer letter and confirm your enrolment. Welcome to the course!

Processing time: Offer letter issued within approximately 1 business days.

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