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Counselor Education with Play Therapy Emphasis, Ed.S. (Online)

Learn to use Play Therapy to help children express themselves, improve mental health, and progress developmentally.

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  3. Education Specialist (Ed.S.) in Counselor Education with Play Therapy Emphasis
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About the Education Specialist in Counselor Education with Play Therapy Emphasis

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.

Priority Deadline for application is April 1

Contact the Graduate Studies Office Degree Plan Student Handbook

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    Program Information

    Degree

    Ed.S. in Counselor Education

    Emphases

    Play Therapy

    Required Credit Hours

    25

    Program Type

    Specialist Program

    Program Location

    Online

    School

    School of Education

    Duration

    N/A

    Explore Everything the Ed.S. in Counselor Education (Play Therapy) has to Offer

    The Ed.S. in Counselor Education (Play Therapy) is more than just a specialist degree. It provides comprehensive training in both the theoretical foundations and practical applications of play therapy.

    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.
    • 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

    What courses will you take to earn a Counselor Education with Play Therapy Emphasis, Ed.S.

    Here are some of the courses you'll take to earn your Counselor Education with Play Therapy Emphasis degree.

    See the Course Catalog

    GR

    COUN 7020: Expressive Arts w/ Children & Adolescent

    1-3 credits

    This course is an introduction to a variety of expressive arts modalities that can be used in clinical practice with children and adolescents. The course will include information and techniques from the following areas: Art Therapy, Music Therapy, Dance/Movement Therapy, Drama Therapy, Poetry/Written Expression Therapy, and Sandtray Therapy.

    GR

    COUN 7060: Psychopharmacology in Play Therapy

    1-3 credits

    This course is designed to acquaint students with the fundamentals of psychotropic medications. Basics of pharmacology, adverse effects, indications, and drug interactions will be discussed in regards to their positive and negative impact on play therapy. Boundaries of practice and practical issues of assessment and referral will be covered.

    GR

    COUN 7100: Child-parent Relationship Therapy

    1-3 credits

    This course is an overview of partent-child relationship therapy as well as teacher-child relationship therapy. A review of methods used in relationship play therapy and research findings in relationship play therapy along with multicultural issues are presented.

    Edward Hudspeth

    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!

    Edward Hudspeth

    Clinical Professor of Leadership and Counselor Education

    Next Steps

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