Certificate of Advanced Study in Play Therapy
The Certificate of Advanced Study in Play Therapy program is available for:
- Current students enrolled in counseling, social work, couples and family, psychology or another approved licensure prep program at a regionally accredited university
- Applicants who have completed a master’s degree in counseling, social work, couples and family, psychology or another approved licensure prep program from an accredited university
The CAS in play therapy meets the post-master’s educational requirements for the Registered Play Therapy (RPT) credential as detailed by the Association for Play Therapy (APT). The Institute for Play Therapy and Expressive Arts Education and Research at Sacred Heart University is an Approved Center for Play Therapy Education by The Association for Play Therapy.
Learning Outcomes
Graduates will meet the post-master’s educational requirements for the Registered Play Therapy (RPT) credential as detailed by the Association for Play Therapy (APT) and be prepared to lead in this innovative field as qualified play therapy practitioners.
Career Outlook
The CAS in play therapy prepares current students and mental health clinicians to become registered play therapists (RPT) or school-based RPTs (SB-RPT) in accordance with training standards and protocols set forth by the Association for Play Therapy. Graduates will be qualified to work in:
- Mental health settings
- Schools
- Hospitals
- Private practices
- Child advocacy centers
- Child services agencies
- Inpatient treatment facilities
- Outpatient treatment facilities
- Among many other career
Licensure & Disclosures
Sacred Heart University, as a member of the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (NC-SARA), is authorized to offer distance programs in all states that participate in the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (SARA). Approval for institutional participation was granted by the State of Connecticut Office of Higher Education on January 11, 2017. California is the only state that does not participate in SARA therefore Sacred Heart University is exempt from approval from the California Bureau of Post-Secondary Education.
Prospective students are also encouraged to review Sacred Heart University's Disclosures & Student Complaint Process for additional information.
The Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study in Play Therapy (CAGS) offered by Sacred Heart University (SHU) is designed to meet APT Credentialing Standards. However, APT has final say in all education and training. The program is designed for you to be able to meet the play therapy instruction and clinical experience requirements for play therapy. It is your responsibility to ensure your graduate degree coursework meets current APT requirements.
SHU does not guarantee that the completion of this program will result in RPT credentialing. In addition to successfully completing the educational and clinical experience requirements, once you graduate from your degree seeking program, you will need to meet other state licensure requirements in order to meet credentialing standards for APT. Most states require substantial post-master's clinical experience hours and passing scores on a licensure examination prior to your initial and/or terminal licensure. It is your responsibility to determine if your own circumstances pose any barriers to licensure. You should be aware that clinical experience sites also generally require background checks before accepting students for a practicum or residency position. Clinical experience sites have stricter criteria regarding criminal histories than state licensing boards.
Please know that you may not become an RPT until you are licensed in your respective field.
You are responsible for knowing your state's licensure requirements and are to be aware of any changes to those requirements. If you move to another state, the requirements for licensure will likely be different from the state where you currently reside and could change your curricular requirements. Also, if you move to another state, your specific clinical experience site approval criteria may change as well. You are responsible for determining the licensure requirements in the state to which you relocate.
Information on our Specific Program
The online Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study in Play Therapy program is authorized to operate in all states that participate in the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (SARA).
Sacred Heart University has determined that the program's curriculum does meet the educational requirements, for certification, in all states and the District of Columbia.
Degree Requirements
This is an 18 credit, online program.
Play Therapy Course Sequence
Fall I - 3 credits
COU 501 - History & Introduction to Play Therapy (3 cr)
Spring I - 3 credits
COU 601 - Play Therapy Practicum I: Skills and Methods (1 cr)
COU 506 - Psychopharmacology, Diagnosis, and Treatment Planning in Play Therapy (2 cr)
Summer I - 3 credits
COU 502 - Seminal Theories of Play Therapy (3 cr)
Fall II - 3 credits
COU 602 - Play Therapy Residency (2 cr)
COU 504 - Practicum and Play Therapy in the School Setting (1 cr) OR COU 505 - Play Therapy in Mental Health Setting (1 cr)
Spring II - 3 credits
COU 503 - Play Therapy, Sandtray, and Expressive Arts (3 cr)
Summer II - 3 credits
COU 603 - Play Therapy Practicum II: Skills and Methods (3 cr)
Required Courses
| COU 501 | History and Introduction to Play Therapy | 3 |
| COU 502 | Seminal Theories of Play Therapy | 3 |
| COU 503 | Play Therapy Sandtray and Expressive Arts | 3 |
| COU 504 | Practicum & Play Therapy in the School Setting | 1 |
| COU 505 | Play Therapy in Mental Health Setting | 1 |
| COU 506 | Psychopharm DX and Treatment Planning PT | 2 |
| COU 601 | Play Therapy Practicum I Skill and Methods | 1 |
| COU 602 | Play Therapy Residency | 2 |
| COU 603 | Play Therapy Practicum II Skills and Methods | 3 |