You are here: 

MA in Practice Based Play Therapy

play

This programme is run in collaborative partnership between the Academy of Play and Child Psychotherapy (APAC) and the Faculty of Health and Social Care, Canterbury Christ Church University.

Four of the aims are:

  • To develop creative and reflective practitioners of play therapy who are able to critically evaluate current research and practice. To enable practitioners of play therapy to contribute to the further development of their profession through practice and research.
  • To enable the participants to study and explore the field of play therapy in a way that incorporates the therapeutic perspective meaningfully into other types of work with a wider client group.
  • To provide the participants with sufficient skills to obtain work as professional Play Therapists.
  • To create self aware, self-reflective practitioners with on openness to personal and emotional growth.

The programme is validated by Canterbury Christ Church to run at the following venues: Salomons -Tunbridge Wells, All Hallows- Dublin, Newclose House – IOW, La Mouline – France, Buckden Towers – Cambs, Leigh Court – Bristol, Wentworth Castle – Barnsley/Leeds, SHSC – Edinburgh and Quarry Bank Mill, Styal – Manchester.

The Programme is in three stages:

Stage 1:  Postgraduate Certificate in Therapeutic Play Skills consists of 3 x 20 credits modules which are:

  • Orientation to Setting Up and Development of Practice Based Play Therapy within an Integrated Holistic Model
  • Using Symbolic Play Therapy Tools and Metaphor Safely
  • Using Expressive Arts Therapies as a means of Processing and Reaching the Unconscious

Stage 2:  Postgraduate Diploma in Practice Based Play Therapy consists of 3 x 20 credits modules which are:

  • Working therapeutically with groups of Children and Young People – developing skills at an advanced level
  • Working therapeutically at an advanced level and representing children and young people who have severe problems.
  • Establishing a play therapy service

Stage 3: MA Practice Based Play Therapy

  • Developing A Research Proposal (20 credits) OR
  • Critical Evaluation of Professional Practice (20 credits) OR 
  • Undertaking Systematic Reviews (20 credits)
  • Research Dissertation Module (40 credits)

 Entry Requirements:

  • A First or second class degree, or have a recognised academic professional qualification
  • Have personal maturity commensurate with training as a therapist
  • Be currently working with children or have arranged to do so before the start of the course
  • Have a working knowledge of the basic psychological theories, including at least one child development theoretical model
  • Have spent at least 2 years working with children aged between 3 and 14
  • Be registered/accredited members of PTUK in order that their work is governed by a relevant code of ethics
  • Have enhanced CRB clearance. Or the equivalent of the candidates' country CRB
  • Where English is not a first language students should have an IELTS of 6.5 or above.
  • Attend and be successful at interview with APAC
  • Provide two references

 Mode of attendance for stage 1

  • Part time usually over 5 weekends (Friday, Saturday and Sunday) per year or a 15 day summer school at La Mouline France
  • An attendance rate above 85% is required and no theme to be missed

 Mode of attendance for stage 2

  • Part time usually over 5 weekends (Friday, Saturday and Sunday) per year or a 15 day summer school at La Mouline France
  • An attendance rate above 85% is required and no theme to be missed

 Available awards:

  • Masters degree: 180 credits
  • Postgraduate Diploma in Practice Based Play Therapy: 120 credits
  • Postgraduate Certificate in Practice Based Play Therapy: 60 credits

For an application form and further information please contact:

Monika Jephcott
Programme Director & Chief Executive APAC
Telephone 01825 761143
Email:  mokijep@aol.com |

Linda Bradley, Course Administration APAC
Telephone 01825 761143
Email:  apacorg@aol.com |

For University information contact:
Agatha Benyera-Mararike
Academic Link Manager, Canterbury Christ Church University
Telephone 01634 894512
Email: agatha.benyera@canterbury.ac.uk|

Katie Dine
Programme Administrator, Canterbury Christ Church University
Telephone 01634 894542
Email: ma-playtherapy@canterbury.ac.uk|

For PTUK Information
http://www.playtherapy.org.uk/ |

For APAC Information
www.apac.org.uk|