Specialize in Counseling Children and Adolescents

Regis University’s post-graduate certificate in Counseling Children and Adolescents is designed to prepare professional counselors who wish to specialize in counseling children and adolescents.
Classroom Accelerated

Counseling Children and Adolescents Post-Graduate Certificate

Degree Overview

Offered on-campus, the post-graduate certificate in Counseling Children and Adolescents (CCA) is developed for community professionals with a master’s degree in counseling or closely related area of clinical psychotherapy who meet the requirements for admission to the certificate program.

The Regis University Center for Family Counseling and Play Therapy is a designated Approved Center of Play Therapy Education by the Association for Play Therapy (APT). Therefore students completing the CCA certificate program meet the academic requirements for the Registered Play Therapy (RPT) national certification through the APT. The certificate is a planned program of study which includes 18-credit hours (six courses). CCA certificate courses are offered in weekends and intensive formats so that students may accommodate work schedules and complete the coursework within one calendar year.

Current graduate students in the Master of Arts in Counseling and Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy programs may also be admitted to the CCA certificate program concurrently during their master’s degree coursework. The CCA certificate cannot be awarded to current students until the semester following graduation from the master’s degree program and completion of the certificate coursework.

Total Credit Requirements: 18 credit hours

View the CCA Certificate Course Sequence 2012-2013

Learn more about certificate programs offered by Regis University, including the minimum number of credit hours, cost estimates, related occupations and loan information.

Program Requirements

Listed below are the required courses for completion of this degree at Regis University. Please note that recent course requirement updates may not be reflected in the list below and you should contact an enrollment counselor at 800.944.7667 for recent changes and updates.

This degree program requires 18.00 credit hours for completion. Please contact your advisor or the Office of Enrollment Services at 303.458.4126.

Post-Graduate Certificate in Counseling Child & Ad

MCPY 668 - Play in Family Therapy

Examines theoretical foundations and the utilization of play in family therapy. Explores filial therapy techniques as well as other models of parent-child relational therapy with families from diverse populations and various presenting issues.

Pre-requisite: TAKE MCPY*635;

MCPY 670 - Adv Play Therapy: Greif/Abuse/Trauma

Explores interdisciplinary theories of creativity and expressive arts as well as their therapeutic practices in the use of imagery, storytelling, dance, music, psychodrama, poetry, writing, movement, dream work and visual arts.

Pre-requisite: MCPY*635 AND MCPY*678

MCPY 677 - Counseling Pre-Adolescents & Adolescents

Examines theories and techniques specific to developmental needs of pre-adolescents and adolescents (ages 11-18). Emphasizes individual and systemic approaches to prevention, assessment, counseling techniques, and consultation skills that pertain to pre-adolescents and adolescents.

Pre-requisite: MCPY*635

MCPY 678 - Introduction to Play Therapy

Includes a historical and theoretical basis of play therapy. Emphasizes various theoretical approaches and philosophical foundations regarding the process of play therapy. Experiential methods, role-plays, and supervision of non-clinical play therapy cases are incorporated.

Pre-requisite: MCPY*635

MCPY 679 - Sandtray Therapy Techniques

Introduces the use of Sandtray techniques for use with individuals and families. Exploration of theory, applications, stages, and ethical issues. Emphasizes depth, Humanistic and Relational/Cultural approaches. Didactic and experiential methods used. NOTE: MACP Program students only.

Pre-requisite: MCPY*635

MFT 650 - Family Origins and Life Cycles

An in-depth study of family life cycle including adult development. The impact of transitions such as career, marriage, divorce, and death at different stages of the family life cycle as guides to therapeutic understanding.

Course Descriptions

Listed below are the available courses offered at Regis University within this respective degree program. The courses below include the degree program requirements as well as courses. Please contact an enrollment counselor at 800.944.7667 for recent changes and updates.

MCPY 668 Play in Family Therapy (3.00)

Examines theoretical foundations and the utilization of play in family therapy. Explores filial therapy techniques as well as other models of parent-child relational therapy with families from diverse populations and various presenting issues.

Pre-requisite: TAKE MCPY*635;

MCPY 670 Adv Play Therapy: Greif/Abuse/Trauma (3.00)

Explores interdisciplinary theories of creativity and expressive arts as well as their therapeutic practices in the use of imagery, storytelling, dance, music, psychodrama, poetry, writing, movement, dream work and visual arts.

Pre-requisite: MCPY*635 AND MCPY*678

MCPY 677 Counseling Pre-Adolescents & Adolescents (3.00)

Examines theories and techniques specific to developmental needs of pre-adolescents and adolescents (ages 11-18). Emphasizes individual and systemic approaches to prevention, assessment, counseling techniques, and consultation skills that pertain to pre-adolescents and adolescents.

Pre-requisite: MCPY*635

MCPY 678 Introduction to Play Therapy (3.00)

Includes a historical and theoretical basis of play therapy. Emphasizes various theoretical approaches and philosophical foundations regarding the process of play therapy. Experiential methods, role-plays, and supervision of non-clinical play therapy cases are incorporated.

Pre-requisite: MCPY*635

MCPY 679 Sandtray Therapy Techniques (3.00)

Introduces the use of Sandtray techniques for use with individuals and families. Exploration of theory, applications, stages, and ethical issues. Emphasizes depth, Humanistic and Relational/Cultural approaches. Didactic and experiential methods used. NOTE: MACP Program students only.

Pre-requisite: MCPY*635

MFT 650 Family Origins and Life Cycles (3.00)

An in-depth study of family life cycle including adult development. The impact of transitions such as career, marriage, divorce, and death at different stages of the family life cycle as guides to therapeutic understanding.

How to Apply

Prerequisites for Counseling Post-Graduate Academic Certificate Programs

  • Completion of a master’s degree in Counseling, Marriage and Family Therapy or a closely related clinical field from a U.S. regionally accredited college or university.
  • Completion of a clinical internship within the master’s degree—600 hours minimum supervised clinical experience within the prior master’s degree program 

Materials Needed for Application and Admission

  • Application: Completed graduate application form
  • Application fee: $75.00 non-refundable application fee (waived for Regis University graduates)
  • Submit official degree-bearing transcript reflecting a master’s degree awarded from a U.S. regionally accredited institution. Documentation of completion of a clinical internship may be required by the admissions committee.
  • Completed admission essay
  • Two letters of recommendation
  • Current résumé
  • Criminal background check
  • Additional admission requirements apply to international students who are non-U.S. citizens
  • Please remember: Applications that are incomplete and/or missing information will NOT be processed.

All Counseling program applicants must submit application materials to the program prior to the admission deadline to be considered for admission.

Admission Deadlines

Starts Application Deadline
Summer Start – May 6, 2013 April 12, 2013
Fall Start – Aug. 26, 2013 July 26, 2013

Tuition

Classroom Tuition by Credit Hour
2012 -2013 Academic Year

Program Estimated Total Program Cost Semester Hours Required Cost per Semester Hour Estimated Fees for Program
Counseling Children & Adolescents Post-Graduate Certificate $9,975 18 $550 $75

Related Certificates

Post-Graduate Certificate in Marriage and Family Therapy

Post-Graduate Certificate in Transformative Counseling

Post-Graduate Certificate in Counseling Military Families