Charles Schaefer Play Therapy Scholarship

The Charles Schaefer Play Therapy Scholarship, sponsored by the Foundation for Play Therapy, supports individuals who plan to obtain the Registered Play Therapist^TM (RPT) or School Based-Registered Play Therapist^TM (SB-RPT) credential.  The scholarship was established in 2021 to honor the late Charles E. Schaefer, PhD, RPT-S, co-founder of the Association for Play Therapy, the first RPT-S, and Professor Emeritus of Psychology from Fairleigh Dickinson University (conferred in 2008). 

Dr. Schaefer’s work was extensive and highly regarded by those in the field, earning him the title “Father of Play Therapy.”  He began his play therapy journey by authoring the book, Therapeutic Use of Child’s Play in 1976.  Dr. Schaefer authored and co-authored well over 100 research articles and authored, co-authored, and edited 83 professional books.  He served on the APT Board of Directors from 1982 until he was conferred APT Director Emeritus status in 1996.  That same year, the Association for Play Therapy honored him with the distinguished APT Service Award, and in 2006 the Play Therapy Lifetime Achievement Award.

The Charles Schaefer Play Therapy Scholarship will be awarded annually to one individual in Dr. Schaefer's name to promote his enduring legacy to the field of play therapy. The scholarship, valued at $5,000, will be distributed over a three-year period, and administered by the Association for Play Therapy.

This scholarship is made possible by the generous contributions to the Foundation for Play Therapy. We invite you to make a tax-deductible contribution to the Charles Schaefer Play Therapy Scholarship today.

Application Details

Review the scholarship eligibility and required documents listed below to help you prepare and make the application process seamless. It is helpful to draft your responses to questions in advance. All applications must be submitted online.

For questions regarding the Charles Schaefer Play Therapy Scholarship, please contact info@a4pt.org or (559) 298-3400.

Eligibility

At the time of application, applicants must:

1. Be enrolled in, or accepted to, a university of higher education
   • Applicants are required to be a matriculating student in one of the following clinical disciplines: counseling, marriage and family therapy, psychiatry, psychology, or social work
   • Discipline must include coursework in child development; theories of personality; principles of psychotherapy; child & adolescent psychopathology; cultural & social diversity; and ethics
2. Be pursuing or plan to pursue the Registered Play Therapist^TM (RPT) or School Based-Registered Play Therapist^TM (SB-RPT) credential
3. Have a minimum grade point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale (or its equivalent)

Required Application Documents

1. A completed Scholarship application (will open April 1)
   
2. Personal statement (500-word limit). Please share your unique story including: a) why you are interested in or passionate about becoming a play therapist; b) any pivotal experiences or individuals that have shaped and solidified your interest in the field of play therapy, c) and your commitment to diversity and inclusion as it relates to you and your education.
3. As the scholarship is focused on helping you obtain the RPT credential, please include a proposed three-year narrative timeline with cost estimate of obtaining the credential (500-word limit).
4. Verification of enrollment in a graduate mental health program (transcripts or acceptance letter)
5. Resume or Curriculum Vitae.
6. Two letters of recommendation from direct supervisors/advisors or academic faculty members. One letter must be from a current APT Member.

Scholarship recipients will be asked to periodically provide APT with information including expected graduation date, expected degree, completed hours of play therapy instruction, experience, and supervision.

Selection and Non-discrimination Policy

The Foundation for Play Therapy does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, ethnicity, national origin, age, gender, disability or sexual orientation in its selection process.

Scholarship Schedule 

• Applications Accepted – April 1
  
• Deadline for Application Submissions – April 30
• Scholarship Award Recipient Announced – May 25

Distribution

Maximum distribution is $2,500 per year, up to a total of $5,000 over a three-year period.  Scholarship funds will be given directly to the student annually, pending verification of expenses.  At the conclusion of each year, an updated timeline with cost estimate is required to attain the proceeding years funds, within the scholarship three-year term. 

Scholarship recipients will also receive complimentary membership with the Association for Play Therapy for a term of 3-years.

Allowable Expenses

The scholarship recipient may use the funds to cover expenses directly related to the pursuit of the RPT Credential. Examples of allowable expenses include: play therapy instruction or training, play therapy supervision, travel and lodging expenses for play therapy related instruction or training, etc.