Subjective to the background and practice hours of individuals, graduates can seek for registration at local and international professional Associations of play therapy by fulfilling their requirements:

1) Hong Kong Academy of Play Therapy (HKAPT)
2) Australasia Pacific Play Therapy Association (APPTA)
3) Association for Play Therapy (APT)

Admission requirements:

Applicants for admission to the Master of Social Sciences in Play Therapy must either

1. hold a bachelor’s degree or a postgraduate conversion degree in the field of counselling, education, psychology, social work, nursing, or related fields from a recognised local or overseas university;
2. provide documentary evidence of having completed the equivalent of at least one year’s full-time experience working primarily in a helping capacity with children (some or all of which may be in the form of practicums undertaken during the undergraduate degree);

OR:

1. be in possession of a bachelor’s degree or a postgraduate conversion degree in any field from a recognised local or overseas university;
2. provide documentary evidence of having completed the equivalent of at least two year’s full-time experience working primarily in a helping capacity with children.

Notes: ‘Helping capacity’ above refers to experience involving sustained interaction with children with the purpose of supporting their cognitive and/or emotional development.

Language Requirements:

As the primary language of instruction in the programme is English, applicants whose entrance qualification is issued by an institution where the medium of instruction is not English should also fulfil the following minimum English proficiency requirement:

1. Overall score ≥ 6.5 in International English Language Testing System (IELTS) (academic); or
2. Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) score of 600 (paper-based test) or 100 (internet-based test) or 250 (computer-based test); or
3. Other equivalent qualifications that are acceptable to the university, including degrees from a recognised English medium institution in good standing.

The programme includes a practicum component that requires interaction with local children and their parents; therefore, proficiency in Cantonese is preferred.

In order to work with children as a registered play therapist, it is expected that students enrolled in the Master of Social Sciences in Play Therapy programme should be free from any criminal conviction or caution. Successful applicants to this programme need to provide a certificate of No Criminal Conviction (CNCC) issued by the Hong Kong Police Force (https://www.police.gov.hk/ppp_en/11_useful_info/cert_no_crime.html) before they can register on the programme (not required for initial application).

The “Postgraduate Research Scholarship” aims to attract students with strong academic backgrounds who have an avid interest in refining their research skills. Each year, a total of 15 scholarships @HKD20,000 will be allocated to this category. Awardees are expected to commit 200 hours to research activities as assigned by the Programme Director during their period of study at HKSYU.

 

The “Fellowship for Postgraduate Studies” aims to support outstanding final year undergraduate students in HKSYU to pursue postgraduate studies. Those successfully admitted into local full-time postgraduate programmes may be considered for this category. Each year, 10 scholarships @HKD10,000 will be allocated to this category.

 

Scholarships are set up to complement HKSYU students on their excellent conduct, hard-working attitudes, strict observance of school regulations and outstanding performance in academic areas. Applicants must: a. be current full-time postgraduates who are studying Taught Postgraduate Programme; b. attain both Current GPA and Cumulative GPA of 3.30 or above in the first semester of this academic year and have no unapproved class absence records.

 

For further scholarship and fellowship details, please click HERE.