Play Therapy Graduate Certificate

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The purpose of the Interprofessional Graduate Certificate in Play Therapy is to increase the number of student trainees and community-based practitioners who are equipped to provide play therapy services, and capable of pursuing the credential of Register Play Therapist (RPT) in the Memphis and greater Midsouth region. There is a large need for interventions and services for children, youth, and families that are developmentally appropriate and effective for their identified needs. Play Therapy is a preferred method of intervention for much of the work done with infants, children, and adolescents in mental and behavioral health treatment. The Memphis and Mid-South area is currently very anemic in the number of registered play therapists (RPT) available for service delivery. Based on the National Association for Play Therapy credentialing website, there are only in the Memphis region.

Admission Requirements:

The certificate is designed to be completed in conjunction with a graduate degree in Social Work, Counseling, Clinical Mental Health, Psychology, or post-master’s degree. The certificate program is housed in the University of Memphis School Social Work and can be pursued concurrently with the Master of Social Work program (or other graduate programs mentioned above) or after completion of a graduate degree in a social-behavioral science or closely related field. Concurrent or prior enrollment in an accredited program is required. Students may fulfill admissions requirements in one of the following two ways.

Admission into the Master of Social Work/ or other graduate programs (CEPR, Psychology, Clinical Mental Health, School Psychology, or Counseling) at the University of Memphis.

Proof of successful completion of a master’s degree in one of the following areas from accredited programs: Social Work, Counseling, Clinical Mental Health, or School Psychology programs.

Admission into the University of Memphis at the graduate level in one of the above disciplines.

Program Requirements:

Interprofessional Graduate Certificate in Play Therapy – 12 hours

Must Complete 12 credit hours from those listed below:

Core Course – The following courses are required:

SWRK 7041 - Play Therapy ** Credit Hours: (3)
SWRK 7702 - Advanced Play Therapy- Group Skills and Assessment Credit Hours: 3
SWRK 7701 - Play Therapy and Expressive Arts Credit Hours: 3
SWRK 6937 - School Social Work ** Credit Hours: (3)

Graduation Requirements:

Students must complete all four required courses with an average grade of B (3.0) or higher for a total of 12 credit hours.
Students may earn no more than 3 credit hours of C+, C, or C- grades.

Retention Requirements:

All students are required to maintain a cumulative GPA of at least 3.00. Should the student’s cumulative GPA fall below that mark, a period of one semester will be allowed to correct the deficiency. At the discretion of the chair, the director of graduate studies in the student’s college, and the Assistant Vice Provost for Graduate Studies, this period may be extended one additional semester. No more than 6 hours of “C-,” “C” or “C+” will be applied toward meeting graduate degree requirements. “D+,” “D,” and “F” will not be applied towards the graduate degree requirements. All students who fall below a GPA of 3.0 for one semester, and all students who earn a grade of “D+,” “D,” or “F” will be automatically referred to meet with the program retention committee the following semester.