All candidates will:
Application Procedure
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Applicants must apply online at www.nuigalway.ie/apply
An applicant fee of €30 will apply.
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Be currently working with children or have arranged
to do so before the start of the course. This will
enable them to apply theory to practice from the
beginning.
Have a working knowledge of the basic
psychological theories, including child development
and attachment.
Candidates will need to become registered members
of Play Therapy Ireland in order that their work is
governed by a relevant ethical framework.
Summer School Attendance Duration
15 days
Supporting Documentation
The following Supporting Documentation is required
to supplement your online application and should be
posted to the Programme Administrator, Postgraduate
Certificate in Practice-based Play Therapy, Adult and
Continuing Education Office, NUI Galway by the closing
date.
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Summer School Dates
(Postgraduate Certificate Programme)
Tuesday, 9th July, 2013 to Tuesday, 23rd July, 2013
(inclusive)
(Postgraduate Diploma Programme)
Tuesday, 9th July, 2013 to Tuesday, 23rd July, 2013
(inclusive)
Tuition Fees
The Certificate tuition fee is €3,600 and the Diploma
tuition fee is €3,800 in the 2013/14 academic year.
Students should note that five supervisory hours are
included in the Diploma fee.Unsuccessful applicants will
be refunded this fee.
Additional Costs
Participants will be required to have their clinical practice
supervised and will have to budget separately for this.
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National University of Ireland, Galway
in conjunction with
The Academy of Play and Child Psychotherapy
Signed passport photograph
Birth Certificate/Passport /Drivers Licence
(Marriage Certificate if applicant is to be registered
using married surname).
Personal statement: Please enclose a
typed personal statement, of no more than
500 words, explaining why you wish to apply for this
programme of study. Please outline how this course
will be of benefit to you in
your employment.
The closing date for receipt of completed applications
is Friday, 24th May, 2013.
Applicants may be interviewed. Successful applicants
will be contacted in early June and confirmation of
acceptance of place must be completed no later than 14th
June 2013.
The outstanding fee balance of €3,100 becomes
due on acceptance of a place on the programme. Shortlisting of late applicants may be made,
should vacancies arise from the selection process.
postgraduate certificate/diploma
in practice based play therapy
Summer School Programme
Applicants must apply online at www.nuigalway.ie/apply
Further Enquiries
If you have further queries please contact the programme administrator:
Fiona Dwyer
Adult and Continuing Education Office
National University of Ireland, Galway
T 091 495 442
E [email protected]
www.nuigalway.ie/adulteducation
Programme Overview
Play therapy is a method of alleviating a child’s emotional, conduct, social and mental health
problems using play and creative arts therapies. It enables children to help themselves and enable
their potential. This programme offers an opportunity to obtain an internationally recognised
play therapy qualification and to become a Certified Play Therapist. The course content has been
developed to meet the Play Therapy International (PTI) standards of practice and training and in
conjunction with Play Therapy Ireland (PTIr).
Designed For:
Course programme
This programme is particularly suitable for those
wishing to add therapeutic play skills to their
existing teaching or psychology skills for working
with children including:
1. Summer School (NUI Galway Campus)
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Counsellors
Psychotherapists,
Psychologists
Teaching staff
Occupational Therapists
Nurses
Social Workers
First year Postgraduate Certificate
(15 days Summer School)
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It will also help those looking for a career change.
Programme Structure
This part-time blended learning programme of
study builds on practical experience, enhancing the
learner’s skills through exposure to theory, policy,
research and work-based learning. The taught part
of the two year programme is being delivered at
Summer Schools on the campus of the National
University of Ireland, Galway. In order to complete
each year of the programme 100 hours of clinical
work with the children per year must be achieved in
addition to set written assignment work. Students
can exit the programme at the end of year one or
progress into year two, the Diploma phase, once
year one has been successfully completed.
Academic & Professional Awards
A Postgraduate Certificate in Practice Based Play
Therapy (NFQ: Level 9) will be awarded by NUI
Galway on the successful attainment of 30 ECTS at
the end of Year 1. In addition you will obtain a PTI
Practice Certificate in Therapeutic Play Skills.
A Postgraduate Diploma in Practice Based Play
Therapy (NFQ: Level 9) will be awarded by NUI
Galway on the successful attainment of a further
30 ECTS at the end of Year 2 together with PTI’s
professional award of ‘Certified Play Therapist’.
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Setting up and developing practice based play
therapy within an Integrated Holistic Model:
pre-requisites, equipment, ethical framework,
contracts, role of clinical supervision, clinical
governance.
Using symbolic play therapy tools and
metaphor safely in a non-directive approach
with individual children: art – painting and
drawing, clay, creative visualisation,
movement, music, puppets, sand play,
therapeutic story telling.
Using Expressive Arts Therapies as a means
of communication, processing and reaching
the unconscious: child development models,
neuroscience evidence, psychological theories.
Second year Postgraduate Diploma
(15 days Summer School):
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Working therapeutically with groups of
children and young people – developing play
therapy skills at an advanced level.
Working therapeutically at an advanced
level and representing children and young
people who have severe emotional problems.
Establishing a play therapy service.
Play therapy research – critically reviewing
existing material and understanding
appropriate research methods.
2. Dublin Based Centre
The Certificate programme will also be on offer
in a Dublin venue from September 2013. The
programme will be available over five weekends. For
further details, please refer to the following website:
ww.apac.org.uk/
Experiential, practical &
theoretical training
The emphasis is on experiential and practical
training. It’s what you will be able to do in the play
room that’s important – not just your theoretical
knowledge. Our experiential training has three
equally important aspects:
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Understanding the therapeutic processes that
the children will undergo.
Uncovering any personal issues that may arise
for you in the work and how to manage them.
Using the therapeutic methods and the play
and creative arts media that the children
choose to use. (Non-directive play therapy is
child led – the therapist follows).
The teaching team consists of experienced therapists
as well as trainers. They know how to deal with
the personal issues that might arise as well as how
to use the techniques in the play room. Sufficient
theory is taught to inform your practice, help you to
reflect and to point to ways of developing your own
theoretical framework.
Entry requirements
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Applicants who have reached the age of 21 on
the year of application will be admitted to the
programme on the grounds of mature years.
Students under 21 must satisfy the University’s
matriculation requirements.
Applicants must have at least 2 years
experience working with children in the
sectors.
Applicants should normally possess a First
or second class honours degree in one of a
range of relevant subject areas which could
include psychology, education, childhood
studies, social work, or have a recognised
academic professional qualification in a
health, social services or education related
field such as Nursing, Psychology, Social
Work, Occupational Therapy, Physiotherapy,
Counselling, Teaching.
In exceptional circumstances candidates
without a degree, but with significant
experience of working with children who can
produce a satisfactory portfolio of evidence
demonstrating their ability to study at this
level, may be accepted.