Programme Objective

The Master of Social Sciences in Play Therapy is a professional degree that qualifies graduates for becoming qualified play therapists. The programme is designed to:

1.     provide students with a critical understanding of the core theories underlying the practice of play therapy, including their historical development, as well as the current state of knowledge in the field;
2.     develop students’ expertise and critical awareness of childhood needs addressed by play therapy, including mental health, special educational needs, well-being and physical health, and social and psychological development;
3.     train competent practitioners who can effectively use play therapy skills with a critical understanding of their evidence base;
4.     contribute to the development of culturally relevant theory and its application, and to conduct research into play therapy in the context of Hong Kong.

Please refer to Webpage of Master of Social Sciences in Play Therapy for detailed information.

 
Title of Award: Master of Social Sciences in Play Therapy
遊戲治療社會科學碩士
Mode of Attendance: Full time/Part time
Intake Quota per Annum: 20
Duration of Programme: Full time: 2 years (4 semesters & 1 summer term) 
Part time: 3 years (7 semesters & 1 summer terms)
Programme Director: Dr. Zhou De-Hui Ruth
The total number of credits required for graduation: 45
Total Tuition Fees: $117,000 (i.e. $2,600 for one credit) starting from 2024/25 cohort
Overview of the Two-Year Full-Time Mode Curriculum
 
Fall Semester I
Cluster* Title Credits
I MPT501 Introduction to Play Therapy 3
I MPT502 Micro-Skills in Counselling 3
I MPT503 Professional and Ethical Issues in Play Therapy 3
I MPT506 Working with Parents and Families 3
Spring Semester I
Cluster* Title Credits
I MPT507 Child Psychopathology 3
I MPT504 Advanced Play Therapy Skills 3
I Electives:** PSY503 Lifespan Developmental Psychology or MPT510 Introduction to Expressive Arts Therapy 3
Summer Semester I
Cluster* Title Credits
III MPT508 Research Methods in Play Therapy Studies 3
I Electives:** PSY504 Personality and Individual Differences or MPT509 Filial Therapy 3
Fall Semester II
Cluster* Title Credits
I MPT505 Cultural Issues in Play Therapy 3
II MPT511 Play Therapy Practicum I 3
III MPT514 Research on Evidence-Based Practice Project I 3
Spring Semester II
Cluster* Title Credits
II MPT512 Play Therapy Practicum II 3
II MPT513 Play Therapy Practicum III 3
III MPT515 Research on Evidence-Based Practice Project II 3
  Total 45

* Cluster I: Theory and Knowledge in Play Therapy
   Cluster II: Practice-Based Competency
   Cluster III: Evaluating Evidence Base of Practice
**PSY503 Lifespan Developmental Psychology and PSY504 Personality and Individual Differences are required courses if the student has not completed a recognised course in these subjects at undergraduate level.

 

Overview of the Three-Year Part-Time Mode Curriculum***

Fall Semester I
Cluster* Title Credits
I MPT501 Introduction to Play Therapy 3
I MPT503 Professional and Ethical Issues in Play Therapy 3
Spring Semester I
Cluster* Title Credits
I MPT504 Advanced Play Therapy Skills 3
I Electives: ** PSY503 Lifespan Developmental Psychology or MPT510 Introduction to Expressive Arts Therapy 3
Summer Semester I
Cluster* Title Credits
III MPT508 Research Methods in Play Therapy Studies 3
I Electives: ** PSY504 Personality and Individual Differences or MPT509 Filial Therapy 3
Fall Semester II
Cluster* Title Credits
I MPT502 Micro-Skills in Counselling 3
I MPT505 Cultural Issues in Play Therapy 3
I MPT506 Working with Parents and Families 3
Spring Semester II
Cluster* Title Credits
I MPT507 Child Psychopathology 3
III MPT514 Research on Evidence-Based Practice Project I 3
Fall Semester III    
Cluster* Title Credits
II MPT511 Play Therapy Practicum I 3
III MPT515 Research on Evidence-Based Practice Project II 3
Spring Semester III
Cluster* Title Credits
II MPT512 Play Therapy Practicum II 3
II MPT513 Play Therapy Practicum III 3
  Total 45

* Cluster I: Theory and Knowledge in Play Therapy
   Cluster II: Practice-Based Competency
   Cluster III: Evaluating Evidence Base of Practice
**PSY503 Lifespan Developmental Psychology and PSY504 Personality and Individual Differences are required if the student has not successfully completed a recognised course in these subjects at undergraduate level.
***This curriculum is provided for the reference of part-time mode students. If students wish to complete their study in a shorter or longer time than the three-year norm, they need to note the prerequisites of each course and seek approval from the department.

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.
Click here for information
1. Postgraduate Research Scholarship
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.
 
2. Fellowship for Postgraduate Studies
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.
 
3. Annual Scholarship and Bursary Scheme
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.
Contact Us
 
Programme Director: Dr. ZHOU, Debui Ruth
 
Programme Specific Enquiry:
Tel: (852) 2806 5197
Fax: (852) 2806 8044
Email Address: mplaytherapy@hksyu.edu