Frequently Asked Questions

We offer a part time Masters in Therapeutic Arts Practice taken over three years in our annual intake, or as a more condensed and intensive mid-year course which is completed in two and a half years. Experiential learning is central to how we work at MIECAT. It utilises an approach to arts-based inquiry that is based on the values of being relational, experiential, multimodal and emergent.

We also offer a part time Professional Doctorate in Therapeutic Arts Practice which runs over a five year period.

In addition, we have a suite of public programs which includes workshop-style professional development opportunities, studio-based and online art-making sessions, and networking events.

“Tell me, and I will forget. Show me, and I may remember. Involve me, and I will understand.” – Confucius around 450 BC

Of course all learning involves experiencing. One experiences sitting in a lecture theatre trying to listen to an ‘expert’ expound their views on a particular topic, and also by actively engaging one’s mind/body in exploring images, thoughts and physical gestures that hold emotional patterns and meanings. It is the latter kind of learning that is the most often utilised at MIECAT.

By engaging all our available modes of being and knowing we create the grounds for rich and complex learning. To give form to our experiencing, we express multimodally — that is using all the art forms, music making, voice, dance and movement, visual image making (both two and three dimensional).

The other important emphasis in the MIECAT approach to learning is that we need others to make sense of the world and our place in it. Much of the coursework experience involves pair work, small group interactions and larger group discussions. Students and staff routinely give responses to each other about the work being done; sometimes these responses are verbal, other times may take the form of an image, a dance, or a musical response.

Selection Criteria for admission into the Masters:

1. Academic Criteria:

An undergraduate degree plus a minimum of one year of work experience in a relevant field (for example, as an allied health worker, educator, counsellor, artist, community arts practitioner, arts-based researcher).

OR

A Diploma or an Advanced Diploma in a related field of study plus a minimum of five year’s work experience in a related field and demonstrated capacity to write academically.

2. Other Criteria:

• Work and other life experience that is relevant to the Masters course (CV and information from referees)
• Capacity to be descriptive rather than interpretive (in the arts-based selection workshop)
• Capacity to be aware of one’s own experience and to be present to, attentive to, and non-judgemental of others (in the arts-based selection workshop and reflection)
• Capacity to express ideas fluently in written form (application form and reflection)

Selection Criteria for the Professional Doctorate:

Prerequisites

MIECAT Masters in Therapeutic Arts Practice or previous MIECAT Masters degree.

PLUS

Evidence of capacity to complete academic writing, such as an arts-inquiry paper, a peer-reviewed journal article, or equivalent publication (3,000–5,000 words).*

AND

Professional experience related to the fields of the arts, therapy, psychology, the humanities, community well-being, education, or research.

OR

Either Honours degree or Masters degree from another Higher Education provider in a relevant area (with grades considered reasonable).

PLUS

Evidence of capacity to:

• Complete academic writing, such as a peer-reviewed journal article or equivalent publication (3,000–5,000 words).
• Undertake an arts-based inquiry, such as examples or a portfolio of creative works.

AND

Related professional experience (as above).

* Submitted examples of the applicant’s academic writing must be in the original English or have been translated from the original language of writing/publication into English by the applicant themselves.

Applicants who have not completed a MIECAT degree might be asked to complete additional content at the beginning of year one. This foundational content will be incorporated into a student’s study sequence and communicated in our letter of offer.

Depending on prior experience, these additional workshops would focus on: arts-based/artistic research and bringing arts-making or an arts practice into inquiry work; and an introduction to MIECAT’s approach to arts inquiry.

You will be a qualified Therapeutic Arts Practitioner upon being awarded the MIECAT Masters degree. Industry associations such as ANZACATA (the peak professional association for Creative Arts Therapies in Australia, New Zealand and Asia) recognise this qualification. Students who graduate with a Master’s degree are eligible to apply for ANZACATA Professional membership.

Not everyone completing a MIECAT Masters aspires to become a therapist. They may have their own career paths where they intend to apply the values of arts-based inquiry. Some examples of these pathways might be in community or organisational development, in arts-based research, where scholarship may lead into Professional Doctoral study, in schools with pupils or staff, in various forms of group work, in nursing, administration or other health contexts, in multicultural centres, or in developing one’s own studio practice.

In deciding whether the MIECAT Masters is right for you, it may be helpful to consider the following:

1. 1. It is essentially a training and educational course in a particular approach to arts-based inquiry that aims to assist people to make sense of their lives.
   2. It can be an opportunity for intensive personal/professional development.
   3. It offers a form of inquiry into human meaning, based on values of being experiential, relational, multimodal and emergent. This approach to inquiry can be adapted by those already in employment who wish to bring aspects of this method into their work with others, in any therapeutic, community, educational or research setting.
   4. It can be an entry point for those wanting to start a career as a Creative Arts Therapist, or to expand their therapeutic career, utilising the experiential arts procedures of inquiry.
   5. It can be an entry point for arts-based research and scholarship to work on projects or engage in further study.

Our graduates enter fields such as:

• Community development
• Community arts projects
• Private Counselling and Creative Arts Therapy practices
• Research projects and further scholarship opportunities
• Community Health, Drug and Alcohol, and Hospital settings
• Education and Student Welfare

MIECAT tuition fees are reviewed annually and published by October each year on our website.
Students can choose to pay their fees upfront via invoice, or, if eligible, apply for FEE-HELP assistance.

FEE-HELP

MIECAT is a FEE-HELP approved provider. Students who wish to apply for a FEE-HELP loan can do so at the time of enrolment. FEE-HELP information will be sent to successful applicants.

For more details, please visit studyassist.gov.au.

Austudy eligibility

As the MIECAT Masters is a part-time course, students are not eligible for Austudy payments through Centrelink. However, students enrolled in the Mid-Year intake are eligible for Austudy for Units 1–4 only, as this equates to a full-time study load.

It is most unlikely that students coming to MIECAT will be given exemptions from subjects, as this course is unique in its content and approach. The units in the course are offered experientially as part of a coherent sequence.

Generally, students are at a disadvantage if given exemptions from subjects, as it compromises the progression of understanding and skill development. Notwithstanding, a request may be made at the time of application and it will be referred to the Education Committee for consideration.

Most students enrolled at MIECAT are in some form of employment. We ask that you consider your capacity
to fit class attendance and study requirements in with your work commitments. Masters students may be
able to claim week-day classes as professional development from their employer.

The study load in the Masters is equivalent to an average of 2.5 days a week. This is inclusive of allocated class hours and self-directed study (attending to research and assessment activities).

In the first two years, there are two subjects per semester. These subjects consist of six full days of class time usually within a three-week period. In order to participate in this, students who work full-time can anticipate needing to take time off while attending these subjects.

The third year consists of one subject per semester, which is equivalent to 2.5 days per week. Students should anticipate 1.5 days a week on placement in a workplace setting, with the remainder dedicated to attending small groups and workshops as required.

The Mid-Year intake follows the same overall course structure but is condensed, with Year 1 completed over six months rather than twelve, resulting in a more intensive study period with shorter breaks between subjects.

Currently, we offer both in-person and online small classes for the Masters course, while the Professional Doctorate is delivered primarily online. Timetables and delivery modes are reviewed and updated each year.

Our current timetables can be found here.

We are aware that through experiential learning, students may come into contact with personal material that is best attended to with the support of an external therapist. Although it is not compulsory to see a therapist during your studies, it is highly recommended.

MIECAT teaching staff are available for debriefing purposes but are not able to provide therapy for students. We recommend you speak with teaching staff or the subject coordinator if you experience challenges processing material, and seek additional support as needed.

The ANZACATA website provides a list of creative arts therapists that can assist you in finding a suitable therapist if required.

MIECAT provides academic support through subject teachers and coordinators who guide students in engaging with course material and assessment tasks. 

We also have an Academic Access Coordinator who works collaboratively with students to explore appropriate supports. This role is not therapeutic, but helps students identify and access the academic and personal supports that may assist their learning — including co-constructed learning strategies and referrals to external services if needed.

The short answer is no. We endeavour to be as transparent as possible about the capacity required to undertake our courses. 

MIECAT can recommend professionals who are fluent in our approach to support you if required.

MIECAT values diversity in abilities and ways of being in the world. We encourage prospective students to
let us know about their accessibility requirements to participate in our courses.