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MS Dual Degree in Counseling
Play Therapy

Learn to help young children express themselves, find healing, and flourish through the therapeutic power of play.

Ready to Get Started?

Fill out the form and we will contact you to provide information about furthering your education.

Please use our International Form if you live outside of the U.S.

  • Step 1: About You
  • Step 2: Contact Information

FINISH IN AS FEW AS 45 MONTHS*

$57,715*

NEXT START DATE

Course-based: January 06, 2025

*See Tuition and Fees section for more information.

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MS Dual Degree in Counseling
Play Therapy

Ready to Get Started?

Fill out the form and we will contact you to provide information about furthering your education.

Please use our International Form if you live outside of the U.S.

  • Step 1: About You
  • Step 2: Contact Information

NEXT START DATE

Course-based: January 06, 2025

FINISH IN AS FEW AS 45 MONTHS*

$57,715*

*Tuition and fees are subject to change. See Scholarship Details for more information.

cacrep logo

Discover our standards-aligned Play Therapy specialization online.

Play therapy leverages fun activities to help children communicate their feelings, thoughts, and experiences in a safe, nurturing environment. In the Play Therapy specialization in our dual counseling degree program , you’ll gain the tools to implement this impactful therapeutic method for children and families. Broaden your skill set by incorporating two advanced online play therapy courses into the General Program of study.

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STANDARDS-ALIGNED COURSEWORK

Walden’s Play Therapy specialization online content is based on the Association for Play Therapy’s five core content areas of instruction. This ensures the curriculum meets high quality standards and prepares you for the real world of professional practice.

LEARN FROM EXPERTS

Our play therapy specialization online courses are taught by dedicated, doctorally prepared faculty who are experts in the field.

GET THE SUPPORT YOU NEED

Benefit from personalized student resources to help you stay engaged and on track throughout your Walden journey.

EXPAND YOUR PERSPECTIVES

Join a collaborative community of educators and peers. Learn to work effectively with diverse groups of children and adults.

Program Details

Take a Closer Look

Learn to apply play therapy as a therapeutic intervention to help children and families, including treatment planning, application, and assessment.

 

Student standing on pile of books

Curriculum and Completion Requirements

In the Play Therapy specialization in our online dual counseling degree program, you’ll add advanced play therapy courses to your program of study. These courses align with the Association for Play Therapy’s five core content areas of instruction.

View our degree completion requirements
121

QUARTER CREDITS

45 months

TIME TO COMPLETE

Featured Play Therapy Specialization Online Courses 
Introduction to Play Therapy

This course provides knowledge and skill competencies to facilitate play therapy as a therapeutic intervention for children and families. This course provides students with the philosophical basis for play therapy, including a review of the history of play therapy, how to develop a relationship with a child through a (child-centered, Prescriptive, Adlerian, Ecosystemic, etc.) theoretical framework, and an introduction to various theoretical applications and play therapy best practices. Students will become familiar with play therapy micro-skills, the purpose and application goals of play therapy, therapeutic stages and themes, ethical issues, cross cultural/ diversity implications, basic developmental and neurological implications, treatment planning in play therapy including development of treatment goals and assessment of treatment progress and applications to a variety of populations and therapeutic contexts.

Advanced Play Therapy

This course provides advanced knowledge and skill competencies in play therapy as a therapeutic intervention for children and families. This course provides students with learning on special topics such as divorce, incest, family death, illness, ethnic and racial issues, and cultural impacts through a variety of assessment measures, such as individual supervision in play therapy, group supervision in play therapy, peer consultation in play therapy, reflection papers, etc. This course prepares students to provide play therapy services in school and community settings.

Career Counseling

Students in this course are provided with the opportunity to develop practical skills in career and vocational assessment as well as functional knowledge of how career assessment can assist in the exploration and understanding of the interrelationship among work, family, and life roles. They examine major sources of career and work information available on the internet as well as through printed material and computer-based guidance systems. Gaining practical career counseling experience, students administer, score, and interpret printed and computer-based assessments of career interests, beliefs, and values. Students learn how to integrate career development theory and assessment results with career clinical interventions. They also examine clinical and assessment issues, devoting attention to computer-based applications and multicultural implications.

Psychopharmacology

As client advocates, counselors rely on knowledge of psychotropic medications to inform treatment. This course introduces a spectrum of psychotropic medications used in the management of mental, behavioral, and addictive disorders. Students explore medication classification, drug interaction, and side effects. In addition, students distinguish between medical and psychopathological conditions that present in similar ways to addictive disorders. As part of a professional learning community, students collaborate with peers in written scholarly dialogue to explore psychopharmacological intervention in the treatment of addiction and other psychopathologies that may coexist. Students analyze factors that increase the likelihood for a person, community, or group to be at risk for disorders and examine the cultural and contextual factors considered in the ethical treatment of clients. Across counseling specializations, this course builds foundational clinical knowledge of the intersection of counseling and psychotropic medical treatment.

Multicultural Counseling

Students in this course have the opportunity to increase their awareness, knowledge, skills, and advocacy related to working with clients from a multicultural perspective. Students foster self-understanding of their own cultural-identity development, biases, stereotypes, values, and strengths while gaining self-awareness of the effects of power, privilege, and marginalization within the counseling relationship. Further, students can gain knowledge of various issues within diversity. Students explore various theories of multicultural counseling and the role of social justice and advocacy in counseling.

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Admissions

You’ll work one-on-one with an Enrollment Specialist who’ll guide you through every step—from finding the right program to funding your education.

Get in Touch with a Specialist
Streamlined Admissions Process

Earning a dual counseling degree with a Play Therapy specialization is a big step. Walden has simplified the application process with:

  • No application fee

  • Easy credit transfer

  • No essay or SAT/ACT requirement

View Admission Criteria

Program Admission Considerations: A bachelor's degree or higher.

General Admission Requirements: Completed online application and transcripts. Please note that the materials you are required to submit may vary depending on the academic program to which you apply. More information for international applicants.

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Tuition and Scholarships

We believe you can achieve your goals—and we are here to support you along your journey. Request information to learn more about scholarships and financial aid for those who apply and qualify.

Request Information

Tuition Breakdown

Cost matters when it comes to your education. At Walden, you’ll find many ways to reduce your program costs, such as:

  • Believe & Achieve Scholarship®

  • Partnership-based savings

  • Federal and state grants

BELIEVE & ACHIEVE SCHOLARSHIP®

Stay Inspired. Stay on Track. Save Money.

Discover progress-based savings that inspire you to stay on track to graduation.

Curriculum ComponentRequirementsCostAmount
Tuition121 credits of core courses$515 per quarter hour$62,315
Pre-Practicum LabsTwo in program$1,450 each (virtual)
$1,550 each (in-person: travel, lodging, and other expenses are additional)		$2,900–$3,100
Program FeePer quarter$175$2,625
   $68,015–$68,215**
BELIEVE & ACHIEVE SCHOLARSHIP

YOUR TUITION		-$10,300

$57,715*

Effective February 24, 2025

Curriculum ComponentRequirementsCostAmount
Tuition121 credits of core courses$535 per quarter hour$64,735
Pre-Practicum LabsTwo in program$1,450 each (virtual)
$1,550 each (in-person: travel, lodging, and other expenses are additional)		$2,900–$3,100
Program FeePer quarter$180$2,700
   $70,335–$70,535**
BELIEVE & ACHIEVE SCHOLARSHIP

YOUR TUITION		-$10,700

$59,635*

*Represents specialization, two virtual pre-practicum labs, minimum time to completion, and Believe & Achieve Scholarship. Your actual total program time and costs may vary. Believe & Achieve Scholarship savings based on current tuition. See Scholarship Details for more information.

**Tuition reflects the minimum time to completion. Time to completion varies by student, depending on individual progress and credits transferred, if applicable. Tuition and time to complete may be reduced if transfer credits are accepted, or if you receive grants, scholarships or other tuition reductions. Walden may accept up to 45 transfer credits. For a personalized estimate of the number of your transfer credits that Walden would accept, call an Enrollment Specialist at 844-768-0199.

Tuition and fees are subject to change. Books and materials are not included and may cost up to an additional $4,500.

PROGRAM OUTCOMES

Create Healthier Families

When you earn a dual counseling degree with a Play Therapy specialization online, you’ll be ready to move forward in a growing field.

 

Career Opportunities

Take the next step toward your goals by earning a dual counseling degree with a Play Therapy specialization.

In Demand

Marriage and Family Therapist

Diagnose and treat mental and emotional disorders, whether cognitive, affective, or behavioral.

Expected growth: 16%1

Estimated annual wage: $39,090–$78,4401

In Demand

Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors

Advise individuals, families, couples, and groups to promote optimum mental and emotional health.

Expected growth: 19%2

Estimated annual wage: $36,700–$70,1302

1Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics | Job outlook | Estimated wage (as of May 2023)

2Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics | Job outlook | Estimated wage (as of May 2023)

No guarantee is made that a person who enrolls in the MS Dual Degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and School Counseling program with a specialization in Play Therapy will obtain a job or will earn the stated salaries. Wage estimates are based on the 10th–75th percentile.

Learning Outcomes

Graduates of this program will be prepared to:

Analyze play therapy as a therapeutic intervention.

Evaluate play therapy techniques in terms of specific diagnoses and presenting challenges.

Design play therapy environments to meet the developmental needs of children.

Analyze play therapy approaches in terms of their neurological and developmental appropriateness.

Apply principles and practices of child-centered play therapy as a therapeutic intervention.

Analyze best practices for culturally sensitive play therapy that lead to positive social change.

Meet Your Academic Team

Walden’s counseling faculty includes subject matter experts and active mental health practitioners who are dedicated to guiding your growth.

Kathleen Levingston
Kathleen Levingston, PhD, LPC-S
Program Director
Read More
Katharine McDonald
Program Director
Read More

Explore More

Is Walden’s dual counseling degree with a Play Therapy specialization the right move for you? Learn about the benefits of a dual degree in today’s counseling field.

Choosing the Clinical Mental Health Counseling (CMHC) Specialization That’s Right for You

You Might Also Be Interested In 

Master’s Degrees
MS Dual Degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and School Counseling
9 Specializations Available
Next Start Date: January 06

Questions about our Play Therapy specialization?

Talk to your personal Enrollment Specialist for more information today.

Please use our International Form if you live outside of the U.S.

Are you or your spouse an active or retired U.S. military service member? *

By submitting this form, I provide my signature, expressly consenting to calls, prerecorded messages, messages created by generative artificial intelligence, emails and/or texts regarding my educational options from Walden University (Walden) and its affiliates and contractors using an automated dialing system to the number and email address provided. I understand my consent is not required to enroll at Walden, and that I can withdraw my consent at any time. To request information without consenting, please call 844-977-8323.

DISCLOSURES

Walden University’s MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling program is accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) as a mental health counseling program under the 2016 standards. CACREP is a specialized accrediting body recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) and a requirement for licensure in many states.

Walden University’s MS in School Counseling program is accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) as a mental health counseling program under the 2016 standards. CACREP is a specialized accrediting body recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) and a requirement for licensure in many states.

Notes on Licensure 
MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling 
The Walden University Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling (CMHC) program is designed to prepare graduates to practice as a licensed professional counselor (LPC) or licensed mental health counselor (LMHC) in many states. However, the requirements for licensure as a LPC or LMHC varies greatly from state to state. Each state board that is responsible for regulating the practice of professional or mental health counseling has its own academic requirements and issues its own license to practice as a LPC or LMHC in that state.

Walden CMHC graduates may apply for licensure as a professional counselor, such as the LPC or LMHC, in most states. However, each state issues its own credential for an individual to be permitted to practice as a licensed professional or mental health counselor in that state. While Walden enrollment specialists can provide general information relating to the state-by-state educational requirements for mental health or professional counseling licensure or certification, it remains the student’s responsibility to understand, evaluate, and comply with all requirements relating to field education experiences, licensing or certification, authorization, or endorsement for the state in which she or he resides. Walden makes no representations or guarantee that completion of its coursework or programs will permit an individual to obtain state licensure, certification, authorization, endorsement, or other state credential. Licensure eligibility determinations are ultimately determined by the appropriate state board that issues the credential to practice.

Prospective students enrolling in licensure-leading programs are advised that relocation to another state may impact the student’s ability to complete field experiences and/or to obtain professional licensure, certification, or other credential in another state. Prospective students are advised to carefully review, evaluate, and understand the requirements of the applicable licensure board in the state in which they intend to relocate.

MS in School Counseling 
The Walden University Master of Science (MS) in School Counseling program is designed to prepare graduates to practice as a licensed school counselor in many states. However, the requirements for licensure as a school counselor vary greatly from state to state. Each state board that is responsible for regulating the practice of school counseling has its own academic requirements and issues its own license to practice as a school counselor in that state. The Walden MS in School Counseling program is accredited by the Council on Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), a specialized accrediting body recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA), which may also be a requirement to become a licensed or certified school counselor in some states.

Walden MS in School Counseling graduates may apply for licensure as a school counselor in most states, as the MS in School Counseling program is approved in both Minnesota and Ohio. Graduates in some states will be eligible for licensure based on completion of a state-approved program, where they can apply directly to their state educator board (“direct apply”). Other states have a separate application and process for someone completing an out-of-state approved preparation program (“license-in-hand pathway”), where in order for a graduate to be eligible for licensure or certification, he or she must first obtain a license in an approved state (Minnesota or Ohio) prior to applying for licensure in his or her state of residence.

Prospective students must research their state licensure requirements to determine (1) if they are required to complete a state-approved licensure program to be eligible to apply directly to their state board, (2) if they need to obtain a license from the state where the program has been approved (Minnesota or Ohio) prior to applying in the state they reside, and (3) any additional requirements the student will need to complete prior to their state granting the license. Students residing in Minnesota and Ohio are eligible to apply directly to their state board, as Walden’s MS in School Counseling is approved by both state boards. Additionally, some states require school counselors to hold an existing teaching license or certificate, and/or obtain teaching experience, in order to be eligible for a school counseling certificate or license.

Each state issues its own credential for an individual to be permitted to practice as a licensed school counselor in that state. While Walden enrollment specialists can provide general information relating to the state-by-state educational requirements for school counseling licensure or certification, it remains the student’s responsibility to understand, evaluate, and comply with all requirements relating to field education experiences, licensing or certification, authorization, or endorsement for the state in which she or he resides. Walden makes no representations or guarantee that completion of its coursework or programs will permit an individual to obtain state licensure, certification, authorization, endorsement, or other state credential. Licensure eligibility determinations are ultimately determined by the appropriate state board that issues the credential to practice.

Prospective students enrolling in licensure-leading programs are advised that relocation to another state may impact the student’s ability to complete field experiences and/or to obtain professional licensure, certification, or other credential in another state. Prospective students are advised to carefully review, evaluate, and understand the requirements of the applicable licensure board in the state in which they intend to relocate.