Certificate in Play Therapy

Program Description

The Certificate in Play Therapy is a 10-unit graduate-level certificate program designed to prepare candidates to meet the eligibility requirements for credentialing as a Registered Play Therapist (RPT) or School-Based Registered Play Therapist (SB-RPT) through the Association for Play Therapy. The program includes advanced coursework in play therapy, including play therapy history, play therapy seminal and historically significant theories, play therapy skills and methods, play therapy special topics, and play therapy cultural and social diversity topics. All coursework includes experiential components so that students may further practice and develop their play therapy skills. Enrolled students will also receive play therapy supervision from a credentialed Registered Play Therapist-Supervisor (RPT-S). 

The program is offered in a hybrid format with a blend of in-person coursework and options for in-person or online supervision. 

There are two pathways to complete the certificate: (1) Students currently enrolled in the M.S. in Counseling program at Sac State, and (2) Community members who have already completed a master's degree in counseling and enroll in the certificate coursework through the College of Continuing Education. 

Students within the M.S. Counseling program can indicate upon admission into the program their desire to pursue the certificate. They will take the same courses as other students, but will enroll in the additional play therapy courses to complete the certificate. At the end of the program, students who have completed the certificate coursework will be recommended for a M.S. in Counseling and Certificate in Play Therapy. Students not matriculated in the M.S. Counseling program will enroll in the play therapy coursework through the College of Continuing Education. When they have completed the coursework, they will be recommended for a Certificate in Play Therapy.

APT Credentialing Requirements

The Association for Play Therapy (APT) offers three credentials by which licensed mental health professionals and school counselors may demonstrate and promote their specialized play therapy knowledge and training.

  • Registered Play Therapist (RPT)
  • Registered Play Therapist-Supervisor (RPT-S)
  • School Based-Registered Play Therapist (SB-RPT)

Please visit the Play Therapy Credentials section of their website for more information. For questions concerning the Credentialing Program, contact APT at info@a4pt.org or 559-298-3400.

Special Note About Credentialing

Admission into programs leading to specialized credentialing does not guarantee that students will obtain a credential. The Association for Play Therapy determines the requirements for credentialing as a Registered Play Therapist (RPT) and School-Based Registered Play Therapist (SB-RPT), and is not controlled by or affiliated with the CSU. Credentialing requirements can change at any time. Students are responsible for determining whether they can meet credentialing as an RPT or SB-RPT. The CSU will not refund tuition, fees, or any associated costs to students who determine subsequent to admission that they cannot meet credentialing requirements.

Admission Requirements

Current students in the M.S. Counseling program are eligible to add the Certificate in Play Therapy to their program of study. Meet with the certificate program coordinator for more information.

Students who are not currently enrolled in the university may enroll in the certificate coursework through the College of Continuing Education. To be approved to take the coursework for the Certificate in Play Therapy through the College of Continuing Education, students must meet the following minimum requirements:

  1. Possess a graduate degree in counseling or closely related field
  2. Earned a minimum 3.0 GPA in the graduate degree
  3. Licensure or Associate registration as an LPCC, LCSW, or MFT through the Board of Behavioral Sciences OR possession of a valid Pupil Personnel Services credential through the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing

Admission into the certificate program for students not enrolled in the M.S. in Counseling program is limited to space available.

This is a graduate-level certificate program and students must maintain a 3.0 GPA to remain in good standing.

Course Requirements

EDC 242Play and Art in Therapy with Children3
EDC 245Advanced Play Therapy3
EDC 246Filial and Group Play Therapy3
EDC 477Supervision in Play Therapy May be taken multiple times to complete supervision hours1
Total Units10