Preparation for Play Therapy Certification Program
The Preparation for Play Therapy Certification Program is designed for practicing professionals who would like the opportunity to become Registered Play Therapists (RPTs), which requires specialized course content as well as supervised practicum and internship in play therapy training. This preparation program in play therapy offers 15 credit hours of play therapy education, training, and clinical supervision experiences. This program is appropriate for master's level students and for practicing professionals working with children in various fields, such as rehabilitation counselors, addictions counselors, school-certified counselors, licensed professional counselors, licensed marriage and family therapists, licensed clinical social workers, and licensed psychologists. The program prepares the student for the application process for certification by the Association for Play Therapy (APT). In addition, once RPT requirements have been completed, with additional coursework and supervised clinical hours, these clinicians could apply to become Registered Play Therapist-Supervisors (RPT-S), the highest level of certification in the field.
This certification program provides coursework needed to apply for the certification through the Association for Play Therapy (APT), but does not lead to a Master's degree in Counseling from NNU. For more information on credentialing, please visit APT's website.
| NNU Course # | Course | Cr Hrs |
|---|---|---|
| COUN7502 | Introduction to Therapeutically Applied Tabletop Role-Playing Games (TA-TTRPGs) in Play Therapy | 1 |
| COUN7503 | Advanced Sandplay and Sandtray Approaches in Play Therapy | 1 |
| COUN7504 | Introduction to Adlerian Play Therapy | 1 |
| COUN7505 | Play Therapy with the Neurodiverse | 1 |
| COUN7506 | The Use of Art Expression in Play Therapy | 1 |
| COUN7507 | An Introduction to Child-Centered Play Therapy | 1 |
| COUN7509 | Trauma-Informed Play Therapy Applications and Techniques | 1 |
| COUN7510 | Play Therapy I: History, Ethics, and Systems of PT | 1 |
| COUN7512 | Advanced Play Therapy Techniques and Practice I | 1 |
| COUN7514 | Clinical Application and Play Therapy I | 1 |
| COUN7516 | Play Therapy II: Childhood Assessment, Diagnosis, Treatment Planning, and Parent Consultation | 1 |
| COUN7517 | Advanced Play Therapy II: Contemporary Theory and Research | 1 |
| COUN7518 | Sand Tray and Sand Play | 1 |
| COUN7519 | Filial and Family Play | 1 |
| COUN7520 | Supervision Practices in Play Therapy | 1 |
| COUN7560 | Post-Master's Practicum in Play | 1-10 |
| Courses below are offered through NNU's Center for Professional Development for Continuing Education Credits (CED). | ||
| CED Course# | Course | Cr Hrs |
| COUN7508 | Play Therapy in Private Practice | 1 |
| COUN7511 | Advanced Play Therapy I: Contemporary Theory and Research | 1 |
| COUN7513 | Advanced Play Therapy Techniques and Practice II | 1 |
| COUN7515 | Clinical Application and Play Therapy II | 1 |
Registered Play Therapist-Supervisor Preparation Program (RPT-S)
The Registered Play Therapist-Supervisor Preparation Program is a 1 credit hour post-graduate preparation course in play therapy supervision beyond the required coursework to become a Registered Play Therapist. Additional clinical hours and play therapy specific supervision must also be completed before applying for certification to the APT. This certification preparation course meets the required seat work and leads to the ability to apply for the APT's credential, RPT-S. Admission into the RPT or RPT-S certification program requires an application process.
Utilization of Play Therapy Emphasis Courses
NNU students currently enrolled in the master's program Play Therapy Emphasis area are allowed to utilize six credits of play-specific emphasis area courses toward the post-master's certification preparation program.