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Creative Arts Therapies

Postgraduate Diploma in Creative Arts Therapy

The programme offers an introduction to the foundation philosophy, skills and theories relating to the creative arts therapies in readiness for taking skills into the workplace for those working in a related field as a stand-alone qualification or can provide the pre-requisite for application for progression onto the Master's qualification.

 

Over the duration of the year, students attend 21 days of in-person seminar sessions held on weekends, once a month from February to November. Between these seminars, students attend smaller online regional group tutorials and engage in collaborative and solo learning activities.

Postgraduate Diploma in Creative Arts Therapy, student work, Postgraduate Diploma, Whitecliffe Arts Therapy

Outline

The PGDip CAT offers an introduction to the foundational philosophy, theories, and practices relating to Creative Arts Therapy. The programme involves ten in-person seminar weekends–one per month in each location, with distance study in between.

Courses focused on:

• Creative Arts Practice – exploring the integral role of creativity and arts-making
• Research Capacities – exploring research within social contexts
• Therapy Capacities – exploring core theories relevant to CAT
• Situated Practice – engaging in developing and implementing a group session

Duration

1 Year

Distance with 10 in-person seminars

Key Dates

January 2025 - Auckland + Christchurch

31/01/2025

 

February 2025 - Christchurch

14/02/2025

 

Available Locations

Manukau Campus
Christchurch Campus

Costs

Fees free applies
All 2025 fees are subject to change and regulatory approval.

Domestic: $9,910 + $300 Student Services Levy

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

Whitecliffe College is the only school in New Zealand to offer a full suite of Creative Arts Therapy programmes that are recognised for professional registration with the Australia, New Zealand and Asia Creative Arts Therapy Association ANZACATA.

Further study options:

Level 9 Master of Arts in Creative Arts Therapy (Clinical) Postgraduate Diploma in Creative Arts Therapy, student work, Postgraduate Diploma, Whitecliffe Arts Therapy

Academic Calendar

2025 Academic Calendars

Key Student Information

NZ Government key information link for students.

Qualification

Postgraduate Diploma in Creative Arts Therapy Level 8 (120 credits)

Where could this programme take you?

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.

Mental Health
Community Services
Disability Services
Prison Rehabilitation

Featured student work

Featured Alumni

Admission Requirements

Applicants must

  • Hold an undergraduate diploma or degree qualification in a relevant field, equivalent to
    NZQF Level 7

or

  • Present a level of experience in a relevant field that would enable the applicant to demonstrate competencies equivalent to holding an undergraduate qualification, plus the ability to study at level 8
  • 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 a solo and a group interview – by invitation, based on application information.

International applicants must

  • Submit a 5-minute self-introduction video explaining the motivation for choosing to study with us.
  • Have achieved prior to enrolling an IELTS academic score of 6.5 with no band score lower 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 any
    stated above
  • Meet New Zealand visa entry requirements
    whitecliffe.ac.nz/international-students

Faculty Members

The team has extensive experience within their respective fields, which is key to helping ensure our graduates have the real-world skills, experience and placements 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 ...