FAQ


What is Play Therapy?

  • A Post Graduate Certificate program designed to provide behavioral health professionals specialized training in play therapy practice.

  • Offered by Temple University Harrisburg

  • Completion of this certificate program provides documentation of specific formal study, career oriented post graduate training to complement a college or university degree.
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Who is eligible to apply?

Applicants must hold a minimum of a master´s degree from an accredited college or university in: social work, counseling, counselor education, psychology, school psychology, rehabilitative counseling, marriage and family therapy or a closely related mental health graduate program. Current graduate students at Temple should contact us about enrollment options.


How do I apply?

Submit a completed application, a $75 application fee, official undergraduate and graduate transcripts, 2 letters of reference (one from an academic source), a resume, and a goal statement to include prior related experience and future plans upon completion of certificate program. Formal interviews may be held to determine candidates´ ability to understand and integrate diverse viewpoints as well as their capacity and motivation to counsel children and families.


Can a student enrolled in a Master's Program take the courses?

Yes. A student enrolled in a master’s program in a related subject area can submit an application to enroll in one Play Therapy course (Application available on request), or may apply to enroll in the entire program. Approval will be subject to availability, and approval of the admissions committee. A student should communicate with an advisor within the master’s program to determine if and how any course(s) will count toward the requirements of that program.


May I take courses without applying to the certificate program?

Yes. If you would like to enroll in one of the first 3 courses offered, please complete the single course application form.  Contact us for more information at pthbg@temple.edu.


Can I transfer courses from another academic institution?

You may request transfer credit for up to two courses. You must have received a grade of B or higher in a course from an accredited institution within the last five years. Send a request for transfer review along with a course description/syllabus, and forward official transcripts to:

Dr. Laura Dimino, Temple University Harrisburg, 234 Strawberry Square Harrisburg, PA 17101


Can the courses in the certificate program apply toward another degree?

Other universities may allow students to transfer the courses to their degree program and courses may be used as electives for certain degree programs.


How many classes do I have to take?

There are five 3 credit courses required to complete this certificate program.

Sequence of Coursework (offered in cohort fashion and must be taken in the sequence outlined-participants must agree to attend all sessions of the program and maintain a GPA of 3.0 to remain in good standing in the program)


Is an internship or practicum required?

An internship/practicum is not required. All students have the option to arrange an internship/practicum depending upon their individual needs.


What are the benefits of taking these courses?

  • Graduate certificate in specialized practice of play therapy

  • Courses provide instruction in history, theories and applications of play therapy consistent with APT requirements for instruction in these areas and as such satisfies the 150 hour RPT credentialing education requirement.

  • Completion of the certificate will provide 150 hours of specific play therapy instruction meeting one of the requirements to secure the RPT (Registered Play Therapist) credential. The RPT is a credential issued by the Association for Play Therapy (APT). APT is the primary professional organization dedicated to the field of Play Therapy whose mission is to promote the value of play, play therapy and credentialed play therapists. To apply for RPT certification an application process is required which includes additional credentialing requirements of license for independent clinical practice, general clinical experience, and supervised play therapy experience. For more information regarding complete APT credentialing process visit the APT website at www.a4pt.org and click on credentials link.

  • Temple University Harrisburg is an APT approved continuing education provider. #07-206

  • Please note that the Graduate Certificate in Play therapy does not certify individuals in Play Therapy. It provides educational play therapy coursework and satisfies the APT´s 150 instructional hour requirement to apply to become an RPT/RPT-S. Upon completion of the certificate program one can list its credential as Graduate Certificate in Play Therapy.


Will it ever be offered again or at another location?

A decision to offer the program to future cohorts of students will be determined by the number of qualified applicants. The introductory course may be offered online; typically, face to face courses meet in Harrisburg and courses may be attended via video conference from the Center City or Ambler campuses.


What does it cost?

The cost is the regular graduate tuition rate. For 2016-17 the tuition rate is $877 per credit hour.  Participants are responsible for any textbooks required in the courses.  Courses in the program are available at a lower cost if they're taken as non-credit courses.  Students who choose the non-credit option receive a certificate of completion, and continuing education credits, but cannot receive the Post Graduate Certificate.


How often are courses offered?

Typically, one course a semester is offered, and the five courses are offered in sequence. The university may cancel a course due to low enrollment. Therefore the courses repeat roughly every two years.