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Creative Arts Therapies

Master of Arts in Creative Arts Therapy (Clinical)

You will combine your passion for creativity, collaboration, and supporting others in order to enhance wellbeing. You will develop the confidence to contribute to this dynamic, emerging field, harnessing your own experience and interests to pioneer new frontiers in this rapidly expanding profession.

 

Master of Arts in Creative Arts Therapy (Clinical), Programme, Master, CAT, Creative Arts Therapy, Whitecliffe master program, study, Art therapy, therapy, Whitecliffe students

Outline

Intensive weekend and four-to-five day seminars are held between four and six times annually to enable students to:
• Engage in theoretical and experiential learning with faculty, peers, and local and international practitioners
• Participate in group processes and self-reflexive practices
• Build clinical, research, creative and presentation skills

The MA CAT includes courses focused on:
• Creative Arts Practice – exploring the integral role of creativity and arts-making
• Research Capacities – exploring and implementing CAT appropriate research
• Therapy Capacities – exploring both theory and professional practice of CAT
• Situated Practice – engaging with clients in supervised Placements

In order to successfully complete the MA CAT and be eligible for professional registration with the regional professional body, the Australian, New Zealand, and Asian Creative Arts Therapy Association (ANZACATA), students complete an independent research project supported by a research supervisor and 750 hours of supervised clinical practice.

The clinical practice is achieved in the final 18-month period of study via placements that involve work with real-world clients and populations. Students are encouraged to seek out a variety of placement opportunities, assisted by faculty. The research is undertaken during the final year of study. External Creative Arts Therapy clinical and research supervision is funded by Whitecliffe College.

Duration

2 Years

Distance with some in-person seminars + placements

Key Dates

February 2025

08/02/2025

 

Application Close Date

04/10/2024

 

Available Locations

Auckland City Symonds Street Campus
Manukau Campus
Christchurch Campus

Costs

Fees indicated are for 1st year of study. 2nd Year fees may vary.
All 2025 fees are subject to change and regulatory approval.

Domestic: $10,470 + $300 Student Services Levy

International: $27,000 + $300 Student Services Levy per year

Further study options:

Level 10 Doctoral studies Master of Arts in Creative Arts Therapy (Clinical), Programme, Master, CAT, Creative Arts Therapy, Whitecliffe master program, study, painting with hands, art therapy, therapy, art

Academic Calendar

2025 Academic Calendars

Key Student Information

NZ Government key information link for students.

Qualification

Master of Arts in Creative Arts Therapy (Clinical)
NZQA Level 9 (240 credits)

Where could this programme take you?

Creative Arts Therapists may work in mental health environments, education facilities, community settings and private practice.

 

Many of our graduates have been employed by their clinical placements after completion of the course such as special schools, prison rehabilitation, drug and alcohol services, school counselling, trauma services, disability services, community mental health settings.

 

Graduates of the Whitecliffe Creative Arts Therapy programme are instrumental in extending the field’s reach into new applications. Graduates of MACAT (clinical) are eligible to become professional members of the Australian, New Zealand and Asian Creative Arts Therapy Association.

 

Professional members with suitable background and experience are able to go into private practice and apply for registration to be a counsellor for ACC, provide counselling through the WINZ Disability Allowance Scheme and register for programmes such as the “I Am Hope” free counselling scheme for youth.

Community mental health settings
School counselling
Prison rehabilitation
Disability services
Special schools
Private practice
Drug and alcohol services
Trauma services (including ACC)

Featured student work

Featured Alumni

Admission Requirements

Applicants must

  • Successfully complete or hold the equivalent of the Level 8 PG Dip CAT

or

  • Present a level of experience and/or training in creative arts therapies / expressive arts therapies that enables the applicant to demonstrate competencies equivalent to holding the Whitecliffe College PGDip CAT, plus the ability to a study at level 9, and
  • Provide evidence of academic writing ability which reflects the potential for successful study at the graduate level (examples of previous academic writing may be submitted).

In addition to the above, all applicants must

  • Submit a Letter of Intent
  • Provide three letters of reference and a current curriculum vitae
  • Attend an interview by invitation, based on application information.

International applicants must

  • Have achieved prior to enrolling an IELTS Academic overall score of 6.5 with no band less than 6.0 or equivalent (whitecliffe.ac.nz/english-proficiency-outcome)
  • Hold a New Zealand or overseas qualification assessed by NZQA to be equivalent to the required level of qualification described above
  • Meet New Zealand visa entry requirements
    whitecliffe.ac.nz/international-students

Faculty Members

The vast majority of our team have extensive experience within their respective industries. This is key in helping us ensure our graduates have the real-world skills they need for a successful career and bright future.

Deborah Green, Head of School, Creative Arts Therapies, Faculty, employee, staff, Whitecliffe, team, member

Dr Deborah Green

Head of School

Creative Art Therapies

She began her career of interwoven arts, education and health in South Africa. Within the South A ...

Amelia Yiakmis, Lecturer, Creative Arts Therapy, Faculty, Employee, staff, Whitecliffe, Team, Member

Amelia-Jayne Yiakmis

Lecturer

Creative Art Therapies

Amelia-Jayne Yiakmis MACAT (Clinical) (Hons), GradDip Exp Therapies, B Comm, is a coordinator and ...

Kathrin Marks, Lecturer, Creative Arts Therapies, Faculty, employee, staff, Whitecliffe, team, member

Kathrin Marks

Lecturer

Creative Art Therapies

Kathrin has been part of the Whitecliffe whānau as a part-time lecturer since January 2018, even ...