View our EdD Early Childhood specialization completion requirements
Minimum degree requirements:
60 quarter credits
- Core courses (50 cr.)
- Capstone (10 cr.)
STANDARDS-ALIGNED CURRICULUM
Our Play Therapy MS in CMHC specialization online content is informed by the Association for Play Therapy’s core content areas of instruction. This ensures the curriculum meets the highest professional standards and prepares you for real-world practice.
GET SUPPORT AT EVERY TURN
From academic advising and writing assistance to 24/7 tech support, we’re here to help you stay on track throughout your program.
LEARN FROM EXPERT FACULTY
Walden’s CACREP-accredited program is led by committed, doctorally trained faculty who are authorities in their field.
BUILD YOUR CONFIDENCE
Engaging learning experiences—both online and face-to-face—allow you to cultivate, apply, and refine key counseling abilities.
Curriculum and Completion Requirements
In the Play Therapy MS in CMHC specialization, advanced play therapy courses help you build the competencies to facilitate effective play therapy. These courses align with the Association for Play Therapy’s core content areas of instruction.
Featured Play Therapy MS in CMHC 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.
Theories of Counseling
This course introduces theories of counseling and psychotherapy to prepare students to conceptualize problems and respond with appropriate, evidence-based interventions and techniques. Students will become familiar with the origin, key concepts, and interventions and techniques of each of the theories presented. Students will develop an awareness of how counseling theories drive the treatment process and apply theories to diverse case studies. A major focus of this course is to support students as they develop their personal theoretical orientation.
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.
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.
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.
Streamlined Application Process
Pursuing an MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling degree online with a Play Therapy specialization is a major step. That’s why we’ve streamlined the admissions process. Start your journey with:
No application fee
Easy credit transfer
No 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.
Tuition Breakdown
We want to help you shape the future you envision. At Walden, you’ll find many ways to reduce the costs of your MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling program, including:
Believe & Achieve Scholarship®
Partner-based credits
Federal and state grants
Stay Inspired. Stay on Track. Save Money.
Discover progress-based savings that inspire you to stay on track to graduation.
| Curriculum Component | Requirements | Cost | amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tuition | 100 credits of core courses | $550 per quarter hour | $55,000 |
| Pre-Practicum Labs | Two in program | $1,450 each (virtual) $1,550 (in-person: travel, lodging, and other expenses are additional) | $2,900–$3,100 |
| Program Fee | Per quarter | $185 | $2,035 |
| $59,935–$60,135** | |||
| BELIEVE & ACHIEVE SCHOLARSHIP YOUR TUITION | -$7,700 | ||
*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.
About Play Therapy
Learn about the rewarding work play therapy counselors do every day.
What is play therapy?
Play therapy is a child-centered approach to counseling that helps children express their thoughts and feelings through therapeutic play instead of words. With the guidance of a trained therapist, children use toys, games, and creative activities to explore emotions, build coping skills, and work through challenges in a safe, supportive environment.
What does a play therapist do?
A play therapist (sometimes called a play counselor) helps children communicate and heal through therapeutic play. By carefully observing and guiding play activities, the therapist creates a safe, supportive space where children can express feelings, practice problem-solving, and develop healthier ways
What are the education requirements to be a play therapist?
To become a play therapist or play counselor, you must first earn a bachelor’s degree (it’s helpful, but not always required, to have a bachelor’s in psychology, counseling, social work, or another related field). This must be followed by a master’s or doctoral degree in counseling, psychology, or social work from an accredited program. Walden’s MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling with a Play Therapy specialization gives you a solid foundation in this discipline. The specialization courses cover different types of play therapy and align with the Association for Play Therapy’s core content areas of instruction.
After you complete your graduate education, you’ll typically need to obtain state licensure as a mental health professional (e.g., LCSW, LMFT, or LPC) and complete supervised clinical experience. Licensure requirements vary by state. Additional play therapy–focused training or external certification may be available through third party organizations.
Career Opportunities
Take the next step toward your future by earning an MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling with a Play Therapy specialization online.
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 in Clinical Mental Health Counseling program will obtain a job or will earn the stated salaries. Percentile 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 active practitioners and subject matter experts who are committed to helping you be well-prepared for the field.
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MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling – Play Therapy FAQ
What is play counseling vs. play therapy?
“Play therapy” is the established professional term used by the Association for Play Therapy (APT), which sets credentialing standards. This term is also used by academic programs and certification bodies.
You might occasionally see “play counseling” or “play therapy counseling” used informally or in some education settings, but it’s not a separate modality or approach. If anything, it’s just another way of saying “play therapy”—particularly when practitioners want to emphasize that they’re providing counseling services through play.
Can I earn a play therapy degree online?
Yes, you can earn your MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling with a Play Therapy specialization online. In fact, Walden’s program is built specifically for working adults—people who want to advance their education while maintaining their professional commitments. Our program is designed to adapt to your schedule, rather than requiring you adapt to ours.
Please note that while most MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling coursework can be completed online, students are required to participate in-person field experiences that include a 100-hour practicum and 600-hour internship.
What should I look for in a play therapy degree program?
When looking for a play therapy counseling degree program, you should prioritize these essential elements:
- Financial value and support: Seek programs from universities that offer ways to make your degree costs more manageable. This includes potential tuition savings through employer partnerships, scholarships, and financial aid for those who apply and qualify.
- Flexibility for working professionals: Look for asynchronous online options or flexible scheduling that allows you to balance education with existing career and family commitments.
- Hands-on clinical experience: Ensure the program provides strong clinical rotations and immersive skills sessions to build your practical confidence before entering the field.
- Strong faculty support: Choose an institution where professors are accessible, responsive, and provide personalized mentorship—instead of treating you like a number.
- Academic rigor and reputation: A high-quality education from a trustworthy institution helps prepare you for leadership roles and ensure your degree is recognized and respected by employers.
Is this a master’s program in play therapy?
Walden’s program is a clinical mental health counseling master’s degree program with a specialization in play therapy. Choosing a specialization allows you to move beyond general practice and tailor your expertise to a specific population or setting. You’ll learn to use play as a primary therapeutic tool to address mental health issues and developmental challenges, particularly in children and adolescents.
What degrees do I need to before earning an MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling with a Play Therapy specialization?
To apply to the MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling program at Walden, you must hold a bachelor’s degree. While having a bachelor’s in an area like counseling, psychology, or social work can be helpful, your degree can be in any area of study.
What is the difference between a play therapy certification and a play therapy specialization?
The difference between a play therapy certification and a play therapy specialization comes down to formal credentials vs. focused training:
- A play therapy certification is a formal, professional credential—such as Registered Play Therapist™ (RPT™) —that requires specific coursework, supervised clinical experience, and continuing education. It shows you’ve met nationally recognized standards to practice play therapy.
- A play therapy specialization provides focused training within a degree program, helping you build play therapy skills—but it does not grant certification on its own. Specializations often serve as preparation toward future certification or to strengthen child-focused clinical practice.