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
| Offer year | Course title | Campus(es) | Duration | Semester starts |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | Master of Art Therapy |
Melbourne
|
2 years full time | Semester 1 (February) |
Master of Art Therapy continued…
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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
Show mid year entryShow next year’s courses
| Offer year | Course title (CRICOS) | Campus(es) | Duration | Semester starts | Annual Tuition Fee (AUD) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | Master of Art Therapy (077479B) |
Melbourne
|
2 years | Semester 1 (March) | $27 080 |
Master of Art Therapy continued…
|
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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.
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.
