Course Catalogue

Graduate Diploma of Creative Therapies (TCRTH1)

2026

Course Structure

The information provided for this course was valid for the final year of enrolment. Students continuing in this course may find there have been some changes to the unit availability. Students should, in the first instance, refer to the recommended study plan in the newest version of this course to make their unit selection for the current year.

Every re-enrolling student will be able to complete their current course of study. As a continuing student you should always consider transferring to the newest course version to enable you to take advantage of new and exciting changes to university programs. Students electing not to transfer should refer to the transitional arrangements where provided.

If you have any queries, or concerns about your course progression you would like clarified, please contact Student Central on freecall 1800 061 963 or student.central@cdu.edu.au.

Our Graduate Diploma of Creative Therapies comprises units totalling 80 credit points (8 unist). 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.

A candidate must successfully complete units totalling 80 credit points (cp) as detailed below. All units are valued at 10 credit points unless otherwise 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 (final offering S1 2026) SWK572 Creative Ways of Working with Children and Young People (final offering S1 2026) SWK573 Creative Ways of Working with Diverse Groups (final offering S2 2026) SWK575 Creative Approaches to Case Work and Assessments (final offering S1 2026) SWK576 Research and Evaluation of Creative Therapies (final offering S2 2026) SWK556 Trauma Informed Practice (final offering S2 2026)
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 IAS533 Indigenous Knowledges and Epistemologies PHM525 Indigenous Health Research PHM527 Research, Ethics and Impact PHM588 Qualitative Research PHM593 Tropical Child and Adolescent Health
	80cp	Total Credit Points

Course Rules (unless otherwise indicated in the above course structure)

See the Higher Education Course Rules (Award Requirements) in the Units and Courses Policy.

COURSE TEACH OUT ARRANGEMENTS - 2025 - 2026

TCRTH1 is in teach out from Semester 1 2025. Please refer to the transitional arrangements below for the final offerings of each unit. Students are strongly advised to follow the recommended study plan to ensure appropriate course progression.

SWK571 Creative Therapy: Principles and Practices - final offering Semester 1 2026
SWK572 Creative Ways of Working with Children and Young People - final offering Semester 1 2026
SWK573 Creative Ways of Working with Diverse Groups - final offering Semester 2 2026
SWK575 Creative Approaches to Case Work and Assessments - final offering Semester 1 2026
SWK576 Research and Evaluation of Creative Therapies - final offering Semester 2 2026
SWK556 Trauma Informed Practice - final offering Semester 2 2026

COURSE CHANGES AND TRANSITIONAL ARRANGEMENTS - 2021

Please note the following course structure change:

SWK574 Creative Ways of Working with Trauma has been removed and is no longer required.

Further Assistance

For further assistance please contact Student Central on 1800 061 963 (freecall) or student.central@cdu.edu.au. Student Central staff will assist you with applying for or enrolling in a course and provide assistance with timetables, fees, HELP (Higher Education Loan Program), external materials, enrolment changes and many other issues.

Unit Catalogue - provides general information about each unit including a brief description, the semester and mode offered as well as the fees for Commonwealth Supported places.
Timetables - provides information about individual class times for units offered internally. Timetables for the following academic year are published early in December each year.
Bookshop - if text books have been prescribed, recommended or ordered for units in this course, details are available by unit code through the Casuarina Campus Bookshop.