Entry requirementsEntry Requirements: Admission to the programme is through gaining an honours degree (2i or above) in Psychology, Education, Early Years Development, Childhood Studies or a related health or social care discipline. Exceptional students will be considered with degrees at 2ii level, subject to their relevant practical experience. Such cases will be considered on an individual basis. Other applicants without such qualifications will be considered individually and a wide range of prior experience may be taken into account. Equivalent international qualifications are acceptable.
Academic titleMSc/PgDip/PgCert Play Work and Therapeutic Play
Course descriptionThis exciting new award has been designed to combine two complementary areas in the field of play – playwork and therapeutic play – in which career opportunities are thriving. This award provides high quality academic and practical learning experiences in an accessible and attractive programme that will appeal to students from a range of backgrounds and is relevant to work in a variety of settings.
You will be taught by academic specialists in the areas of play and child development, along with qualified practitioners in therapy and counselling. Teaching will be varied to include lectures and student-led workshops, and assessment will address the range of academic and practical skills you will develop during the programme.
Brief Overview:
* Combines playwork and therapeutic play
* Aim to schedule teaching in a block on one day of the week
* Attractive to students with a range of academic backgrounds
* Combines practical and academic skills
* Taught by subject specialists and professionals in the field
* Is relevant to work in a variety of settings
* Can be studied at PgCert, PgDip and MSc level
Course Content
The proposed modules on this award are:
* Play and Child Development
* Planning for Play
* Understanding Children and their Families
* Therapy and Counselling Skills
* Research Methods with Children and Young People
* Dissertation
How To Study
Depending on how many modules you choose to complete, we offer this award at Postgraduate Certificate, Postgraduate Diploma and Masters level. To allow students to study alongside work commitments, we aim to schedule teaching on this programme to run in a block on one day of the week.
You will experience lectures, workshops and practical classes. There will also be some e-learning activities. One-to-one supervision will be provided whilst you work towards the completion of your dissertation.
To appreciate different learning styles and the range of skills developed on this award, you will be assessed in a variety of ways. This might include the completion of case studies, portfolios, essays and reports, reflective logs and presentations. For the award of MSc, you will also produce a dissertation.
Career prospects
This award is relevant for those who wish to work in the fields of playwork and therapeutic play. Careers span many different contexts, including community play schemes, before and after school initiatives, work in hospitals and family centres, or freelance activity. This course may also be of interest to students who want to enhance their potential for further postgraduate teaching and social work courses or other relevant professional training.
Additional Information
There are currently no statutory training or registration requirements for play therapists in the UK. The BAPT, PTUK and IBECPT all accredit their own programmes and no one of these is recognised at the central regulatory body. We recognise the importance of professional accreditation in the field and aim to validate this programme in the near future. We are currently seeking advice as to which organisations are most appropriate to this award however we anticipate accreditation will be with the well established British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy (therapeutic play element) and SkillsActive (playwork element).