Graduate Certificate in Play Therapy

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The 12-credit hour Graduate Certificate in Play Therapy is designed for students training in counseling and related fields as well as for post-master's professionals in counseling and related fields who want to specialize and/or work towards their professional registration through the national organization (Association for Play Therapy, APT). While the Play Therapy Institute at SHSU is an APT Approved Provider 07-211; APT alone holds the right to accept or deny any academic training or continuing education training at its discretion.

In order for your Certificate to show up on your transcript, once you have a earned a grade for each course, you (the student) must complete and submit the Graduate Certificate Completion Form; you will receive a physical graduate certificate issued by graduate studies to show employers.

Admission is open to students currently working on a counseling master's degree or who already have a masters in counseling in order to be eligible to pursue the play therapy certificate. Students may submit an application through graduate studies as either degree seeking or non-degree seeking. Students must indicate at the time of application that they wish to pursue the Graduate Certificate in Play Therapy. Current students of counselor education, who did not select the certificate at the time of admission, may request an Add On Certificate.

Curriculum

Course work in the Graduate Certificate Program (3 credit hours each):

COUN 5391 Child and Adolescent Counseling

Students develop approaches for putting counseling theories into practice with children and adolescents who are experiencing difficulties in their developmental, personal, and social growth.

COUN 5399 Play Therapy Basics

This course is designed to enhance/increase the counselor's understanding of the child's world as perceived by the child and the relationship between the child's world and his/her behavior. The focus of this course is a non-directive approach to play therapy and the utilization of play media to facilitate the child's self-exploration, self-expression, self-understanding, and personal growth. This course has been offered at both locations. The course meets face-to-face.

COUN 6331 Advanced Play Therapy

This course is designed to provide play therapists with extensive practical and research experience related to issues involving the advanced play therapy techniques including group play, expressive arts and components of filial therapy. Case analysis, theoretical application, advanced techniques, and current research issues and trends will be investigated. The curricula for this course include (1) knowledge of the literature of the discipline and (2) ongoing student engagement in research related to professional practice. This course has been offered at both locations. The course meets face-to-face.

COUN 5398 Sandtray

This course is designed to provide students with extensive practical and research experience related to Humanistic sandtray as a therapeutic intervention for children, adolescents, adults, and families. This course uses both didactic and experiential methods to enhance student's knowledge, skills and competence in using sandtray as a therapeutic modality with clients. The curricula for this course include (1) knowledge of the literature of the discipline and (2) ongoing student engagement in practice related to professional practice. This course has been offered at both locations. The course meets face-to-face.

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There is a $50.00 fee to apply and receive your certificate that will be placed on your student account. You can make payment through Cashier’s Office.

Once you complete the 150 hours of didactic hours, you will need to complete 350 hours of supervision by a Registered Play Therapist Supervisor. Please review the APT application for details at www.a4pt.org

This Graduate Certificate is eligible to receive Title IV funding - Direct Unsubsidized Loans and Graduate PLUS loans by request. To be considered for aid, students need to submit a FAFSA.

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