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).

Online Application:
Click here to access the online application.

Required documents:
A completed application shall consist of the following documents:
- Application form (pdf version/ doc version) (which include "Passport size photo", "Autobiographical Statement" and "Promotion Survey")
- A Photocopy of HKID Card/Passport
- An application fee of HK$200 by crossed-cheque to "HONG KONG SHUE YAN UNIVERSITY" (fees paid are not refundable)
- Photocopies of degree certificates
- Official transcripts are to be sent from post-secondary institutions/universities attended
*Please send this form (Transcript Request Form (pdf version/ doc version) to your appropriate officer of institution from which the transcript is requested. SYU graduates need not request transcripts from the Registry, copies of past results will suffice.
- A photocopy of each professional qualification obtained as stated on the application form
- 2 signed and sealed Referee Reports (pdf version/ doc version)

Course Exemption

Successful candidates with a relevant master’s degree or an equivalent postgraduate qualification may apply for a course exemption of no more than two courses in the following list:

• Introduction to Play Therapy
• Advanced Play Therapy Skills
• Professional and Ethics Issues in Play Therapy
• Cultural Issues in Play Therapy
• Working with Parents and Family
• Filial Therapy
• Introduction to Expressive Arts Therapy
• Microskills in Counselling
• Lifespan Developmental Psychology
• Personality and Individual Differences
• Child Psychopathology

An application for exemption must be made at the time of application to the programme, by indicating previously indicated courses on the application form. The department’s decision of whether or not to grant exemptions will be based on the relevance of the previously completed courses and the level of the programme. Courses completed as part of an undergraduate programme will not be eligible for consideration for exemption purposes.

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.