COURSE CURRICULUM

The Master of Creative Arts Therapies curriculum at Murdoch University consists of 48 credit points designed to develop advanced counselling knowledge, creative arts therapy skills, clinical experience, and research capability. The program includes 45 credit points of required units covering essential areas such as case conceptualisation and assessment, counselling theories and practice, professional counselling skills, trauma-informed creative arts therapies, expressive arts approaches involving music, drama and writing, and therapeutic applications with children and adolescents. Students develop advanced expertise through units focused on creative arts therapy principles, clinical practice, and supervised placements, where they gain practical experience applying therapeutic techniques in professional settings. The course also includes Applied Health Research Methods and a Counselling Research Project, enabling students to critically engage with research, evaluate evidence, and contribute to the development of creative arts therapy practice. In addition, students complete 3 credit points of elective study, choosing from areas such as experiential learning in group counselling, counselling Indigenous, multicultural and diverse populations, or mental health counselling. This flexible curriculum integrates theoretical knowledge, practical skills, reflective learning, clinical supervision, and research-based approaches to prepare graduates for professional practice. Graduates develop the ability to use creative arts therapies effectively across healthcare, community, education, and counselling environments while supporting diverse populations through evidence-informed and compassionate therapeutic interventions.