Master Programme

Programme Aims

The MSocSc(TPWB), targets students who plan to pursue careers in the field of therapeutic play. The programme will provide students with advanced theories, knowledge and practical experiences in therapeutic play skills. It covers essential elements ranging from health assessment and analysis, etiology and treatment in well-being, and counselling skills to the latest technologies in the promotion of therapeutic play. Graduates are expected to pursue a career in play and well-being promotion for populations varying from community clients to clinical patients. The proposed programme will enhance the service diversities in physical and mental well-being education and rehabilitation, and address the urgent community needs of improved public health by providing trained professionals specialised in therapeutic play.
 
Upon successful completion of the programme, students will be able to:

• Critically examine the development of therapeutic play for children;
• Demonstrate understanding of up-to-date non-directive play principles and practice and develop research play tools relevant to children's well-being;
• Devise comprehensive practice in therapeutic play to contribute to good well-being and apply related strategies in school health;
• Develop scientific and evidence-based strategies to conduct research related to therapeutic play and well-being; and
• Formulate and apply adapted interdisciplinary teaching strategies for play therapy and well-being in different settings.

 
 

Programme Features

The graduates of MSocSc(TPWB) will be awarded a Master of Social Science in Therapeutic Play and Well-Being and Certified Practitioner in Therapeutic Play Skills, which accredited by the Play Therapy United Kingdom (PTUK) and graduates will be registered by the Professional Standard Authority (PSA).
 

Programme Structure

The MSocSc(TPWB) comprises 24 credit points (cps) with three core courses (9 cps) and three elective courses (9 cps). Students are required to further complete a total of 100 hours of practicum (6 cps) with satisfactory feedback (i.e., grade “Pass” or above) for graduation.
 
Applicants who are Certified Practitioners in Therapeutic Play Skills / obtained Postgraduate Certificate in Therapeutic Play Skills or equivalent, can apply for credit transfer.

Domain	Credit Points (Cps)
Core Courses (3 courses)	9 cps
Elective Courses (3 courses)	9 cps
Practicum	6 cps
Total cps	24 cps

 

Programme Curriculum

Three core courses enable students to practisepractice safely and effectively using therapeutic play skills in a variety of settings and to provide emotional support for individual children.
 
Students will choose three electives from a pool of nine elective courses offered across the three faculties of the EdUHK, which serves as a stepping-stone for them to pursue further studies in other disciplines (such as music therapy; creative writing therapy; psychology).

Course Title	Cps
Core Courses
Orientation to Setting Up Play Practice Using Non-Directive Play Therapy	3
Using Symbolic Play Therapy Tools and Metaphor Safely	3
Using Expressive Arts Therapy to Reach the Unconscious	3
Elective Courses
Mindfulness	3
Child and Adolescent Health Education	3
Stress and Coping	3
Therapeutic Use of Music and Imagery	3
Musicking for Life and Well-being	3
Creating a Musical Third Space in School	3
Therapeutic Narrative Studies	3
The Linguistics of Happiness	3
Writing the Authentic Self	3
Practicum
Therapeutic Play Skills	6

 

Entrance Requirement

1. Applicants should normally hold a recognized Bachelor’s Degree in psychology, nursing, education, social work, health-related programmes, or other equivalent qualifications;
2. Applicants whose entrance qualifications are obtained from an institution in a non-English speaking system should normally fulfil one of the following minimum English proficiency requirements;
    
   - Overall score of IELTS 6.0^{#^} (academic version); or
   - TOEFL score of 80 (internet-based test)^{#^}; or
   - Band 6 in the Chinese Mainland's College English Test (CET) (a total score of 430 or above and the test results should be valid within two years); or
   - Grade C or above in GCSE / GCE OL English; or
   - Other equivalent qualifications.
    
   ^# The results of IELTS/TOEFL provided should be within two years (i.e., for the 2025/26 intake, the IELTS/TOEFL test must be obtained on or after 1 Jan 2023); and
   ^{^} The results of IELTS/TOEFL should be “taken in test centres” (i.e., tests taken online such as IELTS indicator/IELTS Online and TOEFL Home Editions are NOT accepted).
    
3. Shortlisted applicants will be required to attend an interview. 

 

Credit Transfer

• Applicants who are Certified Practitioner in Therapeutic Play Skills / obtained Postgraduate Certificate in Therapeutic Play Skills, or are Certified Play Therapists obtained Post Graduate Diploma in Play Therapy approved by Play Therapy UK (PTUK) within 5 years, can apply for credit transfer for the core courses and credit exemption for the practicum.
• Applicants who are Certified Practitioner in Therapeutic Play Skills / obtained Postgraduate Certificate in Therapeutic Play Skills, or are Certified Play Therapists obtained Post Graduate Diploma in Play Therapy approved by Play Therapy UK (PTUK) over 5 years, can apply for credit exemption for the practicum.

 

Duration and Mode of Study

The programme may be completed in one and a half-year full-time or two-year part-time. According to the standard of Play Therapy United Kingdom (PTUK), the core courses will be held from 9:30am - 5:30pm in at least 3 consecutive days in each block of teaching (September - November in Sem 1; January - February in Sem 2). 
 
Classes in the same or different semester(s) may be scheduled on weekday daytime/evenings, weekends and/or during long holidays at the Tai Po Campus / Tseung Kwan O Study Centre / North Point Study Centre / Kowloon Tong Satellite Study Centre and/or other locations as decided by the University with possible scheduling of combined classes for programmes / courses of  different modes of study (including full-time and part-time). 
 
 

Medium of Instruction

The medium of instruction is English. Chinese will be used as the medium of instruction for course(s) as appropriate.
 

Career Prospect

The MSocSc(TPWB) prepares students to serve the public and private sectors varying from healthcare, and education to community/social services. The programme will enrich students’ child mental health support interdisciplinarity. Given the increasing demand for therapeutic play and well-being, the MSocSc(TPWB) will endow high employability to graduates. Graduates will find a wide range of career pathways, such as employment in applying therapeutic play and well-being, etc. Since maintaining well-being is also an urgent issue in the school setting, this programme provides added value for Special Educational Needs Coordinators (SENCOs), school social workers, counsellors or teachers in areas of well-being promotion by equipping them with therapeutic play skills to work with students.
 
Graduates may continue to pursue further studies if they wish to obtain professional recognition as a play therapist.
 

Tuition Fee

HKD$163,200 (subject to change)
 

Enquiries

Admission Enquiries	Tel: (852) 2948 6886	Email: tpgadmission@eduhk.hk
Programme Enquiries	Tel: (852) 2948 7679 / 2948 8746 Whatsapp:  WeChat:	Email: msstpwb@eduhk.hk

Disclaimer
Every effort has been made to ensure that information contained in this website is correct. Changes to any aspects of the programmes may be made from time to time due to unforeseeable circumstances beyond our control and the University reserves the right to make amendments to any information contained in this website without prior notice. The University accepts no liability for any loss or damage arising from any use or misuse of or reliance on any information contained in this website.
 
Any aspect of the course and course offerings (including, without limitation, the content of the course and the manner in which the course is taught) may be subject to change at any time at the sole discretion of the University. Without limiting the right of the University to amend the course and its course offerings, it is envisaged that changes may be required due to factors such as staffing, enrolment levels, logistical arrangements, curriculum changes, and other factors caused by unforeseeable circumstances. Tuition fees, once paid, are non-refundable.