The new scheme, which will welcome its first cohort of students in September 2008, has been designed for a range of professionals working with children.

The programme will combine the in-depth study of play from a theoretical and academic perspective with the practical application of this knowledge in context. 

The scheme is expected to be of particular interest to experienced practitioners wishing to formalise their professional status or integrate therapeutic play into their current practice.  The scheme will also provide entry into the profession for new graduates.

The MA in Developmental and Therapeutic Play follows on from the success of the MSc in Early Childhood Studies and the MSc in Child Welfare run by the Centre for Child Research and there is the potential for sharing activities and resources across the three schemes.

The launch of the programme is in line with the current and anticipated expansion of children’s play as a field of policy and practice following the adoption by the Welsh Assembly of the National Play Strategy.  And the course has received full endorsement from the British Association of Therapeutic Play (BATP)

Dr Justine Howard, Director of Taught Programmes at the Centre for Child Research, said: “We have come to acknowledge that emotional health lies at the core of development across all other domains and that play is a key way to support this. Developmental and Therapeutic Play Specialists play a key role in facilitating play skills to promote emotional well-being and resilience.

“I am proud to be part of this growing professional field and to direct this programme that leads to full practitioner membership of the British Association of Therapeutic Play (BATP).

“In conjunction with the BATP, I very much hope that Swansea can lead the way in developing an International Association for Developmental and Therapeutic Play Specialists.”

Reviewing the new programme, Eileen Prendiville, Director of the Children’s Therapy Centre in Ireland and an internationally recognised expert in the field of play therapy said: “This new MA will offer innovative and comprehensive training that affords play the recognition it deserves in promoting children's growth and development.

“With the introduction of this course, Swansea will become the leader in the field of Developmental and Therapeutic Play."

Gordon Sturrock, Chairman of the British Association of Therapeutic Play (BATP) added: "The programme draws on the most recent and cutting edge advances coming from the field and sets them in a context of a considered working method fully endorsed by BATP.  As such, the qualification establishes a lead and can, to some extent, set the benchmark, for the profession."

Programme information packs are available by contacting Dr Justine Howard on 01792 602830 or emailing: J.L.Howard@swansea.ac.uk. 

And applications can be made online by following the links to the pages on Postgraduate Courses here.