Play Therapy Certificate

Play therapy is a structured, theoretically based approach to therapy that builds on the normal communicative and learning processes of children. Therapists strategically use play therapy to help children express what is troubling them, when they do not have the verbal language to express their thoughts and feelings. In play therapy, toys are like the child’s words, and play is the child’s language.

The certificate program satisfies the instructional requirement of the Association for Play Therapy (APT) to become a Registered Play Therapist (RPT), as well as a Registered Play Therapist Supervisor (RPT-S). UC San Diego Extension is approved by the APT to offer continuing education specific to play therapy (provider no. 98-046). Details about requirements and applications for the designations may be obtained from the Association for Play Therapy.

Before enrolling, please request additional information: unexhealthcare@ucsd.edu or (858) 534-9262.

Certificate Overview (pdf)

Course Schedule (pdf)

Frequent Questions (pdf)

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Certificate Course Matrix
Course Title	Course Number	Units	FA	WI	SP	SU
Treatment Planning Series
Play Diagnosis and Assessment: Development of Symbolic & Social Play & Assessment of Devel Disabilities	PSY-40217	.5			L
Toys and Their Uses	PSY-40156	.5			M	L
Play Diagnosis and Assessment: Play Assessment of Ego Functions and Object Relations	PSY-40218	.5				L
The Therapeutic Powers of Play	PSY-40219	.5				L
Legal and Ethical Issues in Child Treatment with Emphasis on Play Therapy and Assessment	PSY-40158	.5		U
Clinicians Toolbox Series
Child-Centered Play Therapy	PSY-40235	.5	L
Child-Parent Relationship Therapy-CPRT (Filial Therapy)	PSY-40337	.5	L	L
Introduction to Parent-Child Interaction Therapy	PSY-40328	.5		L
Developmental Play Therapy	PSY-40336	.5		L
Structured Play Therapy: Cognitive-Behavioral Play Therapy, Pre-Set Play, Introduction of Resolutions	PSY-40238	.5		L	L
Gestalt Play Therapy, Role-play, and Psychodrama	PSY-40239	.5		L	L
Sandplay: A Therapeutic Process	PSY-40240	.5			L
Experiential Play Therapy	PSY-40303	.5			L
Play Therapy to Reduce Identification with the Aggressor & Supervision and Instruction of Play Therapy	PSY-40333	.5				L
Psychoanalytic Play Therapy	PSY-40237	.5				L
Play Therapy with Special Populations
Play Therapy to Increase Children's Emotional and Behavioral Regulation	PSY-40284	.5		L
Play Therapy for Attachment Disorders	PSY-40322	.5	L
Families Fighting and Changing: Play Therapy with Children of Divorce and Remarriage	PSY-40226	.5	L
Play Therapy for Children Affected by Illness and Injury	PSY-40386	.5		L
Uses of Play with Learning Disabilities and Developmental Delay	PSY-40168	.5		L
Play Therapy to Help Children Cope with Grief and Loss	PSY-40382	.5		L
Play Therapy, Art Therapy, and Assessment of Abused Children and Adolescents	PSY-40234	1			L
Play Therapy with Attention Deficit and Disruptive Behavior Disorders	PSY-40167	.5			M
Play Therapy Across Cultural and Ethnic Groups	PSY-40171	.5			L
L=La Jolla M=Mission Valley O=Online U=University City X=Location TBA

Certificate Programs

To Register in the Certificate Program

Certificate registration is required to complete the program. Candidates are encouraged to register in the certificate program as early as possible to take advantage of program benefits. See Certificate FAQs for more information.

Certificate Section ID:	096041	Add to Cart
Application Fee:	$60
Contact:	Healthcare, Behavioral Sciences, (858) 534-9262
E-mail:	unexhealthcare@ucsd.edu

Certificate Guidelines

To earn the certificate you must complete 11 quarter units (min. 150 hours of coursework). A total of 13 units (171 instructional hours) are offered during a complete program cycle from which you select courses that fit your schedule. The 171 hours of coursework meet the Association for Play Therapy's instructional-hours requirement toward becoming a Registered Play Therapist (RPT) or Registered Play Therapist Supervisor (RPT-S).

Industry Requirements

RPT and RPT-S designations: The program satisfies the Association for Play Therapy's 150 instructional-hours requirement to become a Registered Play Therapist (RPT) or Registered Play Therapist Supervisor (RPT-S). Courses are also individually approved for hours toward the 150-hour requirement.

UC San Diego Extension maintains responsibility for the certificate program. See APT's website: http://www.a4pt.org for additional requirements pertaining to registration.