Program Overview

Program Description

The Play Therapy certificate is a 13-unit program which offers a theoretically-based approach for working with children and adolescents presenting with a number of behavioral health issues. This approach utilizes toys and other expressive activities as forms of communication and as an intervention method for problem solving and promoting well-being. The fully online Play Therapy certificate program is designed to meet the educational requirements of the Association for Play Therapy (APT) to become a registered play therapist (RPT) and is designed for behavioral health professionals with or in the process of obtaining a licensable graduate degree from an accredited college.

Program Length

12 months

Possible Careers

A play therapist works in a number of settings, including private practice, non-profit agencies, child abuse assessment and treatment centers, fostering and adoption programs, and hospitals.

Application Deadlines

• Quarter: Spring of 2026
• Application Open: Sep 3, 2025
• Priority Deadline: Not specified
• Final Deadline: Feb 3, 2026

Admissions Requirements

• A fully completed application form.
• A graduate with a licensable mental health degree from an accredited university. (Official transcripts are evidence of degrees and courses completed.) Individuals already licensed as a mental health professional must be in good standing with the relevant licensing board.
• Consideration for admission will be given to individuals in the process of completing a licensable mental health graduate degree from an accredited university. Applicant must be in good academic standing and have permission from their current program to enroll.
• Submit three letters of recommendation from an academic source, professional peer, and/or from a work supervisor.

Prerequisites

Must have or be in the process of obtaining a licensable mental health degree from an accredited university.

Discipline Accrediting Agency

Although there is no discipline accrediting agency, the Play Therapy Certificate Program is designed to assist in meeting the educational requirements of the Association of Play Therapy (APT) to become a registered play therapist (RPT). Completion of the Play Therapy certificate coursework at Loma Linda University does not include certification as a registered play therapist. Individuals must apply to the Association for Play Therapy and complete all additional requirements.

Expected Cost of Attendance

Required Program Costs

• Tuition & Fees: $4,500
• Books, Materials, Supplies & Equipment Allowance: $545

Other Educational Costs

• Living Expense (Food & Housing Allowance):
  • On Campus Dorm: $16,596
  • LLU Owned Rental Property: $29,256
  • LLU Owned Rental w/ Dependents: $29,916
  • Undergraduate Dependent w/ Parents: $10,200
  • Off Campus: $29,256
• Transportation Allowance: $4,200
• Miscellaneous Personal Expenses: $4,380
• Federal Student Loan Fees: $0
• Cost of Obtaining Professional License: $0
• Dependent Care: Available upon Request
• Disability-Related Expenses: Available upon Request

Notes

• Estimated amounts are for the academic year specified only. Amounts are based on full-time attendance for the number of months enrolled per academic year. International students need to calculate 12 months of living expenses based on these amounts.
• Amounts are expected to increase each year consistent with inflation in the professional education sector.
• To qualify for financial aid, most students must be enrolled at least half time in an aid eligible program and be taking degree requirements. Half time is 6 units in a quarter for undergraduate programs and 4 units in a quarter for graduate programs.