Postgraduate Coursework
Graduate Diploma of Creative Therapies
The Graduate Diploma of Creative Therapies will provide you with a sound theoretical and practical foundation in creative therapies - therapies that include art, play, dance, drama, and music.
Specifically, this course has been designed to equip practitioners who work with diverse client groups to utilise creative therapies in your practice.
The Graduate Diploma of Creative Therapies imparts the necessary skills in research, evaluation, and professional practice to enable you to choose suitable therapies and to accommodate the unique challenges of each client.
The course blends Western approaches with Aboriginal healing practices and knowledges.
The course is designed for people working in health, community, justice, education, and cognate fields, as well as individuals who work in Aboriginal and cross-cultural communities.
Credit transfers and pathways
Pathways for Higher Education to Higher Education
For information about credit transfer available to students with complete or incomplete study at this or other Institutions refer to Pathways for Higher Education to Higher Education
For further information on credit transfer and how to apply visit ASK CDU
Accreditation
This course is accredited by the University in accordance with the Higher Education Standards.
Additional information
Australian qualification framework
This course is recognised in the Australian Qualifications Framework at Level 8.
Contact details
For further information about the course, enrolment procedures, closing dates and other administrative issues please contact Student Central on:
Admission criteria
Successful completion of a bachelor degree or equivalent international qualification or a Graduate Certificate of Creative Therapies from Charles Darwin University.
Essential requirements
To gain entry into Charles Darwin University, all Higher Education applicants must satisfy the University's English Language Proficiency Requirements for their chosen course of study. International applicants will be required to supply evidence of this at the time of application.
The minimum English language requirement for this course is met by either undertaking previous education in an English-speaking country or undertaking one of the following English language tests and obtaining the minimum requirements listed below.
| IELTS Academic Module | A minimum overall score of 6.5 with no band less than 6.0. |
| Cambridge Advanced English (CAE) | A minimum overall score of 176, with no skill below 169. |
| Common European Framework Certificate of English Proficiency | A minimum overall grade of C1, valid for three years from the date of the test to the date of commencement at CDU. |
| Pearson Test of English (PTE) Academic module | A minimum overall score of 58 with no score lower than 50. |
| TOEFL Internet-based Test (iBT) | A minimum overall score of 79 with a minimum writing score of 21. |
* All tests are valid for two years from the date of the test to the date of commencement at CDU, unless otherwise specified.
* Where applicable, international applicants must also satisfy the Department of Home Affairs (DHA) English language requirements for student visa applications.
Do you have a question regarding English requirements at CDU? Please email: international@cdu.edu.au.
Course structure
During the first four units of this course, you will learn the key principles of creative therapies, specifically how to apply art, play, dance, drama, and music therapies to diverse clients - such as individuals who have been exposed to trauma, refugees, and members of Aboriginal communities. During the final set of four units, you will learn how to apply and adapt these therapies to challenging circumstances - such as more complex cases. To achieve this goal, you will learn about research, evaluation, ethical principles, legal principles, and professional practices.
- 2022 HE unit offerings and unit fees are not yet available however will be published no later than 1 December 2021.
- Always refer to the Course Catalogue for the latest information about your course prior to enrolment.
A candidate must successfully complete units totalling 80 credit points as detailed below. All units are valued at 10 credit points unless indicated.
| Unit type | Credit Points | Specific requirements |
| Core Units (6 units) |
60cp |
Compulsory Core units totalling 60 credit points as per the list of units detailed below: SWK571 Creative Therapy: Principles and Practices |
| Specialist Electives (2 units) |
20cp |
Specialist Elective units totalling 20 credit points selected from the list of available units detailed below: IAS530 Neocolonialism, Advocacy and the Critique of Development |
| 80cp | Total Credit Points |
Students who commenced in or after 2013
The grade of "PC" cannot be counted towards a Graduate Diploma AQF Level 8 course award.
Students should refer to the current Grading Policy and Common Course Rules for further information.
Course Changes - 2021
Please note the following course structure change:
SWK574 Creative Ways of Working with Trauma has been removed and is no longer required.
Study plan
- 2022 HE unit offerings and unit fees are not yet available however will be published no later than 1 December 2021.
- Always refer to the Course Catalogue for the latest information about your course prior to enrolment.
Students commencing in Semester 1
The Recommended Study Plan provided below is suitable for a student commencing in semester 1 and enrolling in a standard load. Students entering this course with advanced standing, or wishing to reduce or vary their study plan due to work, personal, financial or other reasons should use the table as a guide to create an individual study plan.
| Legend: | CO = Core Unit | SE = Specialist Elective |
| Semester 1 | Semester 2 | ||
| Year 1 | |||
| SWK571 Creative Therapy: Principles and Practices | CO | SWK573 Creative Ways of Working with Diverse Groups | CO |
| SWK572 Creative Ways of Working with Children and Young People | CO | SWK556 Trauma Informed Practice | CO |
| Year 2 | |||
| SWK575 Creative Approaches to Case Work and Assessments | CO | SWK576 Research and Evaluation of Creative Therapies | CO |
| Specialist Elective 1 | SE | Specialist Elective 2 | SE |
Students commencing in Semester 2
This course is not available for entry in Semester 2.
Course fees
Non-Commonwealth supported places
Full fee paying places are available in this course.
2021: Information about fees and charges can be found at Fees and Payments.
2022: Fees and charges for 2022 will be published no later than 1 December 2021.