Play Therapy

Sam Houston State University's (SHSU) Graduate Certificate in Play Therapy (offered by the Department of Counselor Education housed within the College of Education) provides specialized academic training in therapeutic play modalities for master's level, degree-seeking students as well as post-master's practitioners seeking professional training. Students of the certificate will be impressed with our state-of-the-art training facilities. Our main campus is outfitted with 2- play rooms, 3-sandtray rooms, as well as videotaping capabilities. Facilities at the Woodlands Center, Community Counseling Clinic, contains a play room, several portable sand tray carts as well as portable art carts. Additionally, this facility has digital taping capabilities. There are currently 2 Registered Play Therapist Supervisors and 2 Registered Play Therapists on faculty.

The 12 semester credit hour Graduate Certificate in Play Therapy is designed for students training in clinical mental health and school counseling and related fields (i.e., school counseling, psychology, social work, and marriage and family) as well as for post-master's professionals in counseling and related fields who want to specialize and/or work towards their professional registration through the national organization (Association for Play Therapy, APT). Students should view the total RPT application from APT to understand the full requirements and keep updated on changes (i.e., academic, PT specific training, license, supervision, clinical experiences). The Play Therapy Training Institute at SHSU is an Approved Provider by APT; however, APT alone holds the right to accept or deny any continuing education training at its discretion has the final approval of their RPT applications. SHSU is an APT Approved Provider #07-211.

This Graduate Certificate is eligible to receive Title IV funding – Direct Unsubsidized Loans and Graduate PLUS loans by request. To be considered for aid, students need to submit a FAFSA.

Transcript evaluation of your baccalaureate degree if it is conferred outside of the U.S.

1. Complete an online application and pay the $90 non-refundable application fee.

2. Create your SHSU Self Service Center account and upload additional application materials.
   See your program of study for specific submission deadlines.

3. Provide a transcript evaluation of your baccalaureate degree if it is conferred outside of the U.S.

   This evaluation must be provided by a NACES accredited evaluator. SHSU only requires a summary report showing your degree converted into U.S. equivalents to verify that hours attended, and overall GPA meet admission standards.

   NACES accredited evaluators include SDR in Houston and WES. Additional NACES evaluators can be found at www.naces.org/members.

4. Submit an English proficiency test score
   
   • Students who completed undergraduate or previous degree coursework at a university where English was the language of instruction, and have a GPA of 2.5 or higher, may be eligible for a english proficiency waiver.