Postgraduate Diploma in Creative Arts Therapy is designed to provide graduates and/or professionals from arts, therapeutic or other clinical fields, with a solid foundation in Arts Therapy knowledge so that they may add Arts Therapy to their existing clinical practices or pursue further training and studies in Arts Therapy (such as the Master of Arts in Creative Arts Therapy (Clinical)).

GPO1: Implement best professional practice in creative arts therapy. GPO2: Integrate relevant creative arts therapy and social science theories into creative arts therapy. GPO3: Apply creative arts therapy theories, insights, and symbols to create arts in a variety of modalities, in a therapeutic context. GPO4: Facilitate the use of the arts within a therapeutic group context.

Upon sucessful completion of the PG Dip AT, graduates might:
Progress into the second and third years of the Master of Arts in Arts Therapy (Clinical) seeking research opportunities and experience and professional registration (NB: the PG Dip is Year One of the three-year MA AT (Clinical)) or into another Level 9 related qualification programme. See Graduate Profile.

Applicants must have either an undergraduate diploma or degree qualification equivalent to Level Seven on the NZQF (New Zealand Qualifications Framework) or equivalent work experience. Applicants without a relevant undergraduate degree may be eligible for admission to the PGDip CAT on the basis of recognition of prior learning, including both professional and/or life experience. Applicants without a Level Seven qualification or from a non-arts-related background will be assessed on an individual basis in order to determine their potential for successful completion of the course. Most successful applicants to PG Dip CAT courses have an undergraduate degree in either: * the arts * social or health sciences such as psychology or social work * education Those with a non-arts degree should have a developed interest in creative pursuits, and those with an arts background should have some training and/or experience in the helping professions. Applicants will usually have a developed arts practice in at least one of the following: * visual arts * dance/movement * drama Most successful applicants are mature students who already have a professional background and relevant life and work experience. Personal prerequisites for the course include the following: * Some ability and evidence of participation in the visual or performing arts * High level of computer literacy for purposes such as word processing, email and online research. Ability to work competently with current Microsoft Office for Word software * Interpersonal skills (e.g. teamwork, personality, problem solving) * Study and work behaviour - independent learning, time planning, responsibility etc. * Awareness and understanding of the principles of the Treaty of Waitangi and Tikanga Maori. * Some understanding of Arts Therapy * A clear understanding of the aims and objectives of the Whitecliffe Arts Therapy courses Specific requirements for admission include: * A completed Whitecliffe Application Form* Official transcripts of baccalaureate degree and/or other academic qualifications * A current curriculum vitae * Three letters of reference * A letter of intent/description of reasons for applying to the course (see Other Entry Requirements) * Evidence of academic writing ability which reflects the potential for successful study at graduate level (examples of previous academic writing may be submitted). 13.3 English Language Entry Requirements Applicants must have sufficient competence in the English language to undertake this programme, which is taught and assessed in English. Any applicant whose first language is not English may be required to provide evidence of their English language competency. 13.4 English Language requirements for International Students Applicants whose first language is not English are required to provide satisfactory evidence of proficiency in the English language, such as a minimum score of 625 on the TOEFL test, If English is a second language, or 6.5 on the IELTS with no band score lower than 6. International students are required to meet the minimum English language requirements for this level programme as detailed on the following NZQA webpages: here and here Other entry requirements include letter of intent, and interviews, see programme document 13.5 and 13.6