Capella University Launches Online Certificates in Play Therapy and Interdisciplinary Forensics

MINNEAPOLIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Capella University, an accredited online university* that has built its reputation by providing high-quality online degree programs for working adults, today announced that its educational offerings have been expanded to include a Play Therapy certificate, an Interdisciplinary Forensics certificate, and a Family Psychology concentration. More than 38,000 students are pursuing an online education at Capella University (http://www.capella.edu), with 30 percent enrolled in Capella’s doctoral degree programs and 48 percent enrolled in Capella’s master’s degree programs.

“Forensics encompasses a wide range of disciplines and situations that deal with legal rules and procedures”

Play Therapy certificate includes academic content areas required by APT
Capella’s five-course graduate Play Therapy certificate, one of few available online, addresses the core academic content areas required by the Association for Play Therapy (APT) to earn its Registered Play Therapist (RPT) and Supervisor (RPT-S) credentials. “We’re pleased that APT was willing to work with us to figure out a way to deliver the academic portion of its RPT and RPT-S credentialing programs completely online,” said David Chapman, PsyD, dean of Capella’s Harold Abel School of Social and Behavioral Sciences. “The Play Therapy certificate also complements other Capella social and behavioral science offerings, such as our master’s specializations in School Psychology, School Counseling, Marriage and Family Therapy, and Child and Adolescent Development. Whether someone is in psychology, counseling, social work, or a related discipline, our Play Therapy certificate is designed to help mental health professionals deepen their therapeutic connection with the children they serve.”

Interdisciplinary Forensics certificate offers distinct perspective
Capella’s Interdisciplinary Forensics certificate offers a perspective not often found in forensics studies. While many offerings focus on a single forensic discipline, Capella’s certificate provides a broad overview of forensics and its foundations in physical and behavioral sciences, technology, and the law. “Forensics encompasses a wide range of disciplines and situations that deal with legal rules and procedures,” said Charles Tiffin, PhD, dean of Capella’s School of Public Service Leadership. “We think Capella’s certificate will be most relevant for public safety and mental health professionals whose work intersects with the legal system, but it would also be valuable to public service, health care, or legal professionals who want to better understand forensics in order to more powerfully advocate for causes and clients within the legal system.”

New degree enrichment options
Capella now offers its students a variety of ways to increase the value of their degree and expand their career options, including concentrations. Most recently, Capella began offering a Family Psychology concentration as an option within its Master of Science in Psychology, General Psychology specialization. Concentrations allow students to delve more deeply into a specific knowledge area within their degree program by taking a predetermined set of courses. Students can use elective courses, if available, toward earning a concentration, which can reduce the additional time and cost of pursuing the concentration.

Enrollment now open
Capella is now accepting enrollment applications for its Play Therapy and Interdisciplinary Forensics certificates. The Family Psychology concentration is only available to students enrolled in Capella’s Master of Science in Psychology, General Psychology specialization. For more information, please call 1.888.CAPELLA (227.3552) or email info@capella.edu.

Review of these certificate programs is pending in AZ.

About Capella University
Capella University is an accredited online university* that has built its reputation by providing quality online degree programs for working adults. Nearly 80 percent of Capella students are currently enrolled in master's or doctoral online degree programs in the fields of business, counseling, education, health administration, human services, information technology, nursing, psychology, public administration, public health, public safety, and social work. Capella also offers bachelor's degree programs in business, information technology, nursing, psychology, public administration, and public safety. Within those areas, Capella currently offers 136 graduate and undergraduate specializations and 17 certificate programs. More than 38,000 learners were enrolled as of September 30, 2010, from all 50 states and 52 other countries. Capella is committed to providing high-caliber academic excellence and pursuing balanced business growth. Founded in 1993, Capella University is a wholly owned subsidiary of Capella Education Company, headquartered in Minneapolis. For more information, please visit http://www.capella.edu or call 1-888-CAPELLA (227-3552).

Visit the Capella Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/CapellaUniversity.
Follow Capella on Twitter at http://twitter.com/CapellaU.

* Capella University is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission and is a member of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (NCA), www.ncahlc.org.
Capella University, Capella Tower, 225 South Sixth Street, Ninth Floor, Minneapolis, MN 55402, 1.888.CAPELLA (227.3552), www.capella.edu.

Learn more about earning an online degree:
online education (http://www.capella.edu/online_education.aspx)
online degree (http://www.capella.edu)
accredited online university (http://www.capella.edu/about_capella/accreditation.aspx)
online college (http://www.capella.edu/online_college_degree_programs.aspx)