MSc Dramatherapy

Year One

You will study the following modules:

• Dramatherapy Practice and Resources (30 credits): This module focuses on the core skills, experiential work and practice of dramatherapy. Delivery is through a range of approaches, with the main focus on experiential, studio-based workshops within the MSc Dramatherapy cohort (around 15 persons). Through diving into the work and play of dramatherapy, you will learn through doing, experiencing and reflecting on the core processes and structures of dramatic and therapeutic work. This includes work with story and myth, role, dramatic enactment and improvisation, ritual, embodiment, and therapeutic theatre. Assessment is through one peer facilitation and one essay.
• Arts Therapies Studies 1 (30 credits): This module introduces those in Art, Drama and Music Therapy to developmental, person centred and psychological theories that have informed the practice of the arts therapies. You will also learn about different research methodologies and understand the applicability of different research methods in practice. The learning experience will include lectures, seminars, workshops, discussion groups and peer-assisted learning. These will be tutors across all three arts therapies courses, students and experts by experience. Assessment is through one essay.
• Practice-based Learning (Placement) 1 (40 credits): This module aims to prepare and support you for practice that adheres to the HCPC Standards of Proficiency for Arts Therapists (Dramatherapy). For one day per week, across two semesters, you will attend a practice context such as in education, healthcare, or the voluntary sector. You will develop your competencies by facilitating creative therapeutic sessions with the guidance of a Practice Educator. You may deliver in a pair with a peer from the cohort, and this is likely to involve working with groups of people, and potentially individuals. For your practice-based learning you will have regular support from your Personal Academic Tutor (PAT) who will also be your group supervision tutor at QMU, as well as support from your peers on the course. Learning is supported by seminar sessions and practice facilitation opportunities with peers, and assessment is through practice on placement and a viva presentation.

Year Two

You will study the following modules:

• Practice-based Learning (Placement) 2 (40 credits): This module continues to support you in further developing practice that adheres to the HCPC Standards of Proficiency for Arts Therapists (Dramatherapy).For two days per week, across two semesters, you will attend a practice context that will deepen and enhance your learning. Placements will be allocated alongside learners based on factors such as your particular learning needs and interests. Still with the guidance of a Practice Educator, this practice placement will encourage more independent practice including involvement in multi-disciplinary meetings, assessment and evaluation processes. You will work with an external dramatherapy supervisor who may hold expertise in the field of the practice setting. Learning is also supported by experiential seminar and workshop sessions at QMU. Assessment is through practice on placement and a viva presentation.
• Arts Therapies Studies 2 (20 credits): Working alongside Art and Music Therapy learners, this module will encourage you to engage in critical evaluation of the impact of environmental, social, political, individual and relational factors on health and wellbeing. You will be encouraged to develop as reflexive practitioners, able to examine the role of the arts therapies within varied multi-disciplinary and inter-disciplinary contexts, with an awareness of the wider influences on practice and on your own values and assumptions. Learning is through lectures and workshops with course tutors, visiting lecturers and experts by experience. You will also engage in disciplinary and cross-disciplinary peer-assisted learning. There is an emphasis on creative reflection and arts-based inquiry, and assessment is through a written service proposal.
• Independent Academic Project (40 credits): This aims to enable you to develop and apply the skills of research and enquiry to a self-selected topic. With the support of a project supervisor, you will select and research a question that interests you regarding dramatherapy, utilising one of a broad range of research pathways; including practice-based research, review of existing literature, and arts-based inquiry. You will engage in a study which demands a professional approach, academic rigour, independence, criticality, leadership and self-direction; and which prepares you for research in the arts therapies after graduating.