Overview of the Two-Year Full-Time Mode Curriculum 

*    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*** 

*     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)

HKSYU & HKAPT signed memorandum for their coming collaboration

On April 9th 2022,  three representatives from the Hong Kong Academy of Play Therapy (HKAPT),  Mr.  Lau Ping Hei, Ms. Debbie Chong,  and Ms. Lilli Ngai visited Hong Kong Shue Yan University. Mr.  Lau Ping Hei introduced the mission of HKAPT, including professional training and community work in promoting play therapy, as well as plans for the organization in future. Dr. Tom Yuen, the president of HKAPT, and his assistant, Ms. Wing Leung joined the meeting from Canada, via Zoom. Dr. Yuen expressed his excitement that the Master of Social Sciences in Play Therapy (MSScPT ) will commence in September, 2022 as the first locally developed master level programme in play therapy. Members of the department extended their thanks to the precious advice of Dr. Tom Yuen and Dr. Timothy Leung in the programme preparation stage, and introduced the mission and the structure of the new master programme. Mr. LAU Ping Hei and Dr. Alex Li representing the two organizations, signed a three-year memorandum of understanding concerning membership, play therapist registration and other future collaboration.  Both Hong Kong Shue Yan University (HKSYU)and Hong Kong Academy of Play Therapy (HKAPT)were excited about the long-term close collaboration ahead.

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).

Click HERE to complete the online application form.

Application Procedures

A completed application shall consist of the following documents:
- Online Application form 
- A Photocopy of HKID Card/Passport
- An application fee of HK$200 by credit card (Visa/Master) via online payment system (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.

Scholarship & Fellowship

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