& Student Handbook - Saint Mary's University of Minnesota

Graduate Certificate
in Play Therapy
Graduate Certificate Programs 243
Play therapy is a specialized area utilized by counselors, psychologists,
and marriage and family therapists to treat children and adults as an
alternative to and in conjunction with traditional talk therapies.
The Graduate Certificate in Play Therapy is designed for licensed mental
health professionals and graduate students who have met prerequisites
to learn and develop methods to help individuals address and resolve
their own problems through play. Children, adolescents, and their
families are the main populations who can benefit from play therapy;
however, play therapy is also used with the growing number of adults
dealing with trauma and addictive behaviors and with seniors. The
graduate certificate in Play Therapy provides the educational background
necessary for students to become Registered Play Therapists.
The Graduate Certificate in Play Therapy Program at Saint Mary's
University of Minnesota has been designated as an Approved Center of
Play Therapy Education by the Association for Play Therapy.
Program Outcomes
Graduates of the Graduate Certificate in Play Therapy program are
expected to be able to do the following:
1. Apply and integrate the historical and theoretical perspectives of play
therapy into current practice.
2. Analyze and evaluate play therapy models.
3. Assess and develop play therapy techniques based on a personal
theoretical model.
4. Apply play therapy interventions to a variety of clients and situations.
5. Evaluate and integrate the legal and ethical dimensions of play
therapy into clinical practice.
Certificate Requirements: 18 cr.
PLT601 Introduction to Play Therapy...................................................2 cr.
PLT611 Theories of Play Therapy .......................................................4 cr.
PLT631 Directive Applications of Play Therapy ...................................4 cr.
PLT641 Non-Directive Applications of Play Therapy ...........................4 cr.
PLT670 Practicum I .............................................................................2 cr.
PLT671 Practicum II ...........................................................................2 cr.
Total..................................................................................................18 cr.
Faculty
The faculty members for the graduate certificate in Play Therapy program
have earned doctorate or master’s degrees. Faculty members are selected
for their educational and professional experience and expertise.
Course Descriptions
PLT601
Introduction to Play Therapy (2 cr.)
Prerequisites: PY605, PY607, PY613, and PY641 or MFT610 or MFT611
or MFT613 or equivalent graduate credits. All students must take
Introduction to Play Therapy or 2 credits of equivalent academic
coursework before any other play therapy courses may be taken.
This course provides an introduction to the theory and practice of play
therapy, a psychotherapeutic modality of choice for individuals, youth,
and family.
PLT611
Theories of Play Therapy (4 cr.)
Prerequisite: PLT601
This course focuses on the major play therapy theories and models and
provides the history of play therapy and its relationship to other mental
health fields. The relationship of play therapy to principles, assessment,
and diagnosis within psychology and family therapy is examined.
PLT631
Directive Applications of Play Therapy (4 cr.)
Prerequisite: PLT611
This course focuses on cognitive, behavioral, and experiential directive
psycho-educational play therapy techniques. Didactic interventions to
address family, parenting, and attachment concerns are explored.
PLT641
Non-Directive Applications of Play Therapy (4 cr.)
Prerequisite: PLT611
This course focuses on cognitive, behavioral, and experiential nondirective
play therapy techniques. Expressive interventions to address
trauma and abuse concerns are explored.
PLT670/671
Practicum I and II (2 cr. each)
Prerequisites: PLT601, PLT611, PLT631, and PLT641
Play therapy theory and techniques are put into practice in a clinical
setting for 250 hours. Accompanying practicum seminar sessions
provide for the evaluation of issues, ethics, interventions and the
articulation of personal play therapy models.