Education Specialist (Ed.S.) in Counselor Education with Play Therapy Emphasis (Online)
Learn to use Play Therapy to help children express themselves, improve mental health, and progress developmentally.
About this Program
The University of Mississippi's online Education Specialist (Ed.S.) degree in Counselor Education with Play Therapy emphasis introduces licensed counselors in school, clinic, and community environments to the principles of Play Therapy and helps students qualify for licensure through the Association for Play Therapy.
Knowledge of play therapy principles can strengthen the efforts of counselors, social workers, therapists, and psychology professionals to support the socioemotional development of their child and adolescent patients.
Play empowers children to communicate, build relationships, and learn socioemotional skills and resilience. Registered Play Therapists use an evidence-based, structured approach to play that helps children express or process difficult emotions, overcome developmental hurdles, and grapple with social, emotional, behavioral, and learning issues.
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Program Information
Program Type
Specialist Program
Area of Study
Education
School
Degree
Ed.S. in Counselor Education
Program Location
Emphases
Play Therapy
Required Credit Hours
30
Ed.S. in Counselor Education (Play Therapy)
The Ed.S. in Counselor Education with an emphasis in Play Therapy offers a specialized curriculum aimed at equipping professionals with advanced theoretical knowledge and practical skills to effectively utilize play therapy techniques in clinical settings.
The Ed.S. in Counselor Education (Play Therapy) requires the following courses for a total of 30 credit hours.
To complete the Education Specialist in Counselor Education with an emphasis in Play Therapy, students must complete:
- 30 hours of Program of Study Courses
Program of Study Courses (30)
- COUN 701 Introduction to Play Therapy
- COUN 703 Current Theories in Play Therapy
- COUN 702 Expressive Arts with Children & Adolescents
- COUN 712 Play Diagnosis & Assessment
- COUN 711 Practicum in Play Therapy
- COUN 706 Psychopharmacology in Play Therapy
- COUN 710 Child-Parent Relationship Therapy
- COUN 708 Play Therapy in the Courtroom
Other Academic Requirements
Play Therapy: Students will complete 25 credit hours, record at least 350 hours of play therapy sessions, and receive 35 hours of supervision by the course instructor who will be a Registered Play Therapist-Supervisor. An on-site residency is required for 3 days in the summer semester. The residency is held at the University of Mississippi at the COPE Clinic.
School Based Play Therapy: Students will complete 25 credit hours, record at least 600 hours of play therapy sessions, and receive 50 hours of supervision by the course instructor who will be a Registered Play Therapist-Supervisor. An on-site residency is required for 3 days in the summer semester. The residency is held at the University of Mississippi at the COPE Clinic.
Students applying to the Ed.S. in Counselor Education (Play Therapy) must meet the following requirements. Students must have:
- License/Certification
- Play Therapy: Students must hold a current and active individual state license (or certification) to engage in either independent or supervised clinical mental health practice.
- Licenses accepted include: LPC, LCSW, LMFT, LSC, LLP, as well as Licensed Psychiatrist and Psychiatric/Mental Health Nursing
- School-Based Play Therapy: Students must hold a current and active individual state license (or certification) from the state Department of Education to practice as a school counselor or school psychologist.
- Licenses accepted include: LPC, LCSW, LMFT, LSC, LLP, as well as Licensed Psychiatrist and Psychiatric/Mental Health Nursing. Licensed school counselors must submit their state certificates from their state Department of Education.
- Play Therapy: Students must hold a current and active individual state license (or certification) to engage in either independent or supervised clinical mental health practice.
- Educational Degrees
- Students must have earned a Master's (or higher) Mental Health Degree from an accredited institution of higher education.
- Students must have completed designated core graduate coursework (i.e. Ethics, Child Development, Theories of Personality, Principals of Psychotherapy, Child/Adolescent Psychopathology, and Cultural & Social Diversity.
- Clinical Experience
- Play Therapy: Students must have completed at least 1 year and 1,000 hours of supervised post-master's clinical experience.
- School-Based Play Therapy: Students must have completed clinical experience required by the state Department of Education's school counselor or school psychologist license/certification, plus 2 years of continuous work in school settings post-licensure/certification.
- Other Requirements:
- Proof of current professional liability insurance
- Criminal background check
- Access to at least 10 hours of play therapy experiences per week
- 3 completed reference forms
We're here for you!
If you have any questions about the Ed.S. in Counselor Education with Play Therapy Emphasis, don't hesitate to reach out!
Franc Hudspeth
Clinical Associate Remote Professor of Leadership and Counselor Education
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