Art therapy

Why study Art therapy?

La Trobe University has offered a program in Art Therapy continuously for over 20 years.  We offer a Master of Art Therapy (MAT) degree for students wanting to train to become Art Therapists. Graduates of this course are eligible to be registered with the Australian New Zealand Arts Therapy Association (ANZATA). Art Therapy is a practice which combines the creative potential of art making with the relational skills of counselling set within a therapeutic environment.

The La Trobe Art Therapy program is based on the principles and values of humanistic psychotherapy and provides students with a range of perspectives to practice in clinical, educational, rehabilitation and community contexts. The teaching method incorporates experiential, theoretical and practice-based learning approaches. The course also provides students with extended hands-on supervised placement training over 750 hours. The combination of learning strategies adopted by the course equips students with a rigorous platform from which to begin independent practice upon graduation.

Students undertaking the La Trobe Art Therapy course develop the language and theoretical skills to engage in clinical settings with a range of mental health professionals as well as the therapeutic and relational capacities to work with people from a range of disciplines such as teachers, community workers, artists and other non-clinical occupations.

Career opportunities

Students who complete this program successfully receive training, skills and practical experience to enable them to practice as art therapists in clinical settings including hospitals, community health programs, rehabilitation services, in education and psychiatric settings, in aged care, palliative and forensic centres, with people experiencing substance abuse, eating disorders, rehabilitation, and numerous other health care needs.

Courses

Local students

2013

Master of Art Therapy

Duration :
2 years full time
Semester starts :
Semester 1 (February)
Campus:
Melbourne
Year
2013
Course description
This specialised program provides training in the practice of art therapy, which combines art and psychotherapy within a clinical setting or therapeutic environment. Art therapy is used for treatment and healing, and for the prevention of developmental, emotional, psychological or physical issues, problems or disorders.

For more information, please download our Guide for Applicants.
Prerequisite
Undergraduate degree in fine arts, graphic design, art education, psychology, counselling, social work, occupational therapy, or nursing. At least one year of art therapy, counselling, and/or community work experience (paid or voluntary).
Year 12 and non-year 12 extra requirements
Please complete the attached Supplementary Information Form.
Fee amount
Indicative (2013): $17,340 per 120 credit points.
Costs
Materials - A$70, National Police check - A$15, Immunisations - A$500. All prices are approximate.
How to apply
Apply direct to the University. Visit our postgraduate website to download an application form. Please also complete the attached Supplementary Information Form.

Professional recognition
The course meets the Australian Qualification Framework (AQF) guidelines and satisfies the professional accreditation requirements of the Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia (PACFA).

The course also meets the requirements for registration as an art therapist with the Australia New Zealand Arts Therapy Association (ANZATA).
Full course details
Art Therapy (Master)Melbourne

How to apply?

Methods of application vary from course to course. Please see the course entry above for details of how to apply for the course you are interested in.

Fees and scholarships

Postgraduate coursework programs are either:

  • Fee-paying (where you pay the full cost of the course). FEE-HELP is available.
  • CSP (Commonwealth Supported Place), subsidised by the Commonwealth Government where you pay a contribution towards course costs. HECS-HELP is available.

Students enrolled for certain postgraduate coursework programs may be eligible for student income support.

International students

2013

Master of Art Therapy (077479B)

Duration :
2 years
Semester starts :
Semester 1 (March)
Annual Tution Fee (AUD) :
27 080
Campus
Melbourne
Year
2013
Course description
This specialised program provides training in the practice of art therapy, which combines art and psychotherapy within a clinical setting or therapeutic environment. Art therapy is used for treatment and healing, and for the prevention of developmental, emotional, psychological or physical issues, problems or disorders.

For more information, please download our Guide for Applicants.
Melbourne
English Language Requirements
IELTS (Academic) score of 7.5 with no individual band score less than 7.0;

TOEFL Paper-based Test - A minimum score of 625 with a score of 6 or more in the Test of Written English;

TOEFL Internet-based Test - A minimum score of 102 with a minimum for SLR 24; W27;

Satisfactory completion of the English for Further Studies Advanced Stage 6B (EFS PG2b 80 per cent) which is available from La Trobe Melbourne. For more information please visit the La Trobe Melbourne website;

English as the language of instruction in tertiary studies may be accepted. Please note: English as the language of instruction in previous study will not be accepted as a basis of admission (English) for courses where the approved test score requirement is above an IELTS 6.5 with no band score lower than 6.0.

Pearson Test of English (Academic) (PTE): minimum score of 76 with no communicative skill score less than 73.

Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE): A grade of A;

or approved international equivalent.
Melbourne
Academic entry requirements
An undergraduate degree in a field such as fine arts, graphic design, art education, psychology, counselling, social work, occupational therapy, or nursing. At least one year of art therapy, counselling, and/or community work experience (paid or voluntary).
A written application, submission of a portfolio demonstrating the applicant's skill with a range of visual art media, and a personal interview may also be required.
Melbourne
Additional costs
Materials - A$70, National Police check - A$15, Immunisations - A$500. All prices are approximate.
Melbourne
Additional information
Applications for this course close on 31 October 2012.
Melbourne
Professional recognition
The course meets the Australian Qualification Framework (AQF) guidelines and satisfies the professional accreditation requirements of the Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia (PACFA).
The course also meets the requirements for registration as an art therapist with the Australian and New Zealand Art Therapy Association (ANZATA).
Melbourne
Full course details
Art Therapy (Master)Melbourne

How to apply?

Enquire now about any course for international students or find out how to apply.

 

Fees and scholarships

Estimated fees for international students are indicated for each course above. Fees are indicative only and set at 120 credit points per course, unless otherwise stated, and may vary depending on the number of credit points in which students enrol. Some courses may vary in credit point load and fees will be adjusted accordingly.

There is also a range of scholarships available for international students to assist students.

Your study experience

Art therapy placements

Practical placements are an important part of our art therapy courses. We have a strong network of clinical placements in social, community, education and health contexts including early intervention and infant services; mother and baby units; special education; child and family services; child, adolescent and adult mental health facilities; drug and alcohol services; physical disabilities; palliative care; intellectual disabilities; forensic settings and geriatric care.

Art Therapy Guide for Applicants

Professional recognition

The course meets the Australian Qualification Framework (AQF) guidelines and satisfies the professional accreditation requirements of the Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia (PACFA).

The course also meets the requirements for registration as an art therapist with the Australia New Zealand Arts Therapy Association (ANZATA).

Course Coordinators

Dr Patricia Fenner

Phone: (03) 9479 1759 

Email p.fenner@latrobe.edu.au

Hannah Menahemi

Phone: (03) 9479 5490

Email: h.menahemi@latrobe.edu.au

 

Art Materials for Current Students


Find out about the experiences of one of our students.

Bella Insch, Art Therapy Student

La Trobe has a great national reputation for it's health sciences, especially the art therapy department.

Ms Bella Insch, Health Sciences

Annette - Master of Art Therapy

About the academic staff

You'll get to meet a large number of academics during your course, from tutors through to lecturers. You can view all the staff from the Faculty of Health Sciences or focus on staff in Art therapy.

Art therapy events

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