RPG Professional Training & Certification Update

First moved online in 2004, updated in 2009 and 2014. This is the June 2016 Revision of the Program

Administrator

 

The section on RPG Training has recently been updated. It now includes more details on course hours, pricing, and program outlines. This year's course registration is now closed. Registration for next year's classes tentatively scheduled to open August 22nd.

These training and certification programs were created in response to many individuals, and a number of facilities, asking for some form of expedited training in role-playing gaming.

The courses are similar to typical training and certification programs one would see in various technical and healthcare industries. Some of the programs are only for "established professionals" in either education or therapy, while others are open to all regardless of background or prior experience.

The non-therapeutic training programs were originally developed around 1985 at Realm of Inquiry Schools "A school for gifted & talented children", and the therapeutic training programs began development in 2004, and have continued to be revised and improved since.

While some of these programs would be expensive for a single person, since they are generally designed for groups, the costs can be split across multiple people to reduce the individual burden, either as individuals sharing the costs as a group, or through an employer or organization providing payment for training.

The training programs offered include:

 

  • RPG Introduction Training Series
  • Player Training Series
    • CRPG
    • LARP
    • SRPG
    • TRPG
  • RPG Advocate Training Series
  • RPG Facilitator Training Series
  • Game Master Training Series
    • CRPG
    • LARP
    • SRPG
    • TRPG
  • RPG Training for Professions Series
    • Education ( "RPG Education" )
    • Therapy ( "RPG Therapy" )
    • Special Populations

 

 

RPG Introduction Training Series

The introduction series provides an initial high level overview of the history of RPG, and the development and evolution of the specific RPG format, followed up with a short hands-on playing experience, and wrapped up with a short "processing" discussion session about the experience at the end.

  • SRPG-1 - Introduction to Solo RPG (2 hours) (open to all) (no prerequisite experience).
  • CRPG-1 - Introduction to Computer-based RPG (3 hours) (open to all) (no prerequisite experience).
  • LARP-1 - Introduction to Live-action Role-playing (3 hours) (open to all) (no prerequisite experience).
  • TRPG-1 - Introduction to Tabletop Role-Playing Gaming (3 hours) (open to all) (no prerequisite experience).

 

Player Training Series

This series provides fast-track training for those people wishing to learn the ins and outs of role-playing gaming in various formats, player style approaches, insider tips, social dynamics, and other aspects of role-playing game playing from veteran gamers. 

The level 1 certifications are part of the introduction series, and provide an initial high level overview of the history of RPG, and the development and evolution of the specific RPG format, followed up with a short hands-on playing experience, and wrapped up with a short "processing" discussion session about the experience at the end.

Level 2 certifications are for those that have been playing on average at least 6 months regularly (typical 1x/week, 3-6 hours per session), wishing to take their gaming to "the next level".

Level 3 certification are for those that have been playing on average at least 1-2 years regularly (typical 1x/week, 3-6 hours per session), wishing to maximize their RPG playing abilities.


CRPG - Computer-based Role-Playing Game Player Series

 

  • CRPG-1 - Introduction to Computer-based RPG (3 hours) (open to all) (no prerequisite experience).
  • CRPG-2 - Intermediate Computer-based RPG as Player (8 hours) (open to all) (no prerequisite experience) (prerequisite: CRPG-1 and 300 hours verified player time).
  • CRPG-3 - Advanced Computer-based RPG as Player (16 hours) (open to all) (no prerequisite experience) (prerequisite: CTRPG-2 and 600 hours verified player time).

 

 

LARP - Live-Action Role-Playing Game Player & NPC Series

 

  • LARP-1 - Introduction to Live-action Role-playing (3 hours) (open to all) (no prerequisite experience).
  • LARP-2 - Intermediate Live-action Role-playing as Player and NPC (6 hours) (open to all) (prerequisite: LARP-1 certification and 100 hours verified player time)
  • LARP-3 - Advanced Live-Action Role-Playing as Player & NPC (12 hours) (open to all) (prerequisite: LARP-2 certification and 300 hours verified player time)

 

 

SRPG - Solo Role-Playing Game Player Series

 

  • SRPG-1 - Introduction to Computer-based RPG as Player (3 hours) (open to all) (no prerequisite experience).

 

 

TRPG - Tabletop Role-Playing Game Player Series

 

  • TRPG-1 - Introduction to Tabletop Role-Playing Gaming as Player (3 hours) (open to all) (no prerequisite experience).
  • TRPG-2 - Intermediate Tabletop Role-Playing Gaming as Player (6 hours) (open to all) (prerequisite: TRPG-1 certification and 100 hours verified player time).
  • TRPG-3 - Advanced Tabletop Role-Playing Gaming as Player (12 hours) (open to all) (prerequisite: TRPG-2 certification and 300 hours verified player time)

 

 

RPGAd-1 - RPG Advocate Training Series

This training series is for those people wishing to learning more about the history, myths, truths, potential caveats, and benefits of role-playing gaming. The more advanced levels are for those wishing to become "RPG Advocates" to help spread the word about RPGs. 

  • Overview Presentation - A very densely packed semi-interactive presentation on the history and effects of all 4 RPG formats (2 hours) (open to all) (no prerequisite experience).
  • RPGAd-1 - Role-Playing Gaming Advocate (4 hours) (open to all) (no prerequisite experience).

 

RPGF - Role-Playing Game Facilitator Training Series

 

  • RPGF-1 - Beginner (8 hours) (open to all) (no prerequisite experience/certification).
  • RPGF-2 - Intermediate (12 hours) (open to all) (prerequisite: RPGF-1 certification).
  • RPGF-3 - Advanced (20 hours) (open to all) (prerequisite: RPGF-2 certification).
  • RPGF-T - Master/Trainer (pending) (500+ hours related experience)  (open to all) (prerequisite: RPGF-3 certification).

 

 

Game Master Training Series

 


GM-CRPG - Game Master/Developer - Computer-based Role-Playing Gaming Training Series

This section is for anyone wanting to learn to run a role-playing game. Whether you are new to role-playing gaming and never run a game before, or you have been a Game Master (GM) running role-playing games, but wish to become a better GM, these programs will condense decades of learning into hours and help you accelerate the process of becoming the best GM you can be and providing the optimal RPG experience for your players.

The GM-1 Beginner course is for people that have never, or only rarely, been the Game Master / Dungeon Master. The GM-2 Intermediate series if for GMs that have been running games for a few months to a few years, and would like to be able to "up their game". The GM-3 series is for GM's with many years experience as a GM, and want to "take it to the next level" optimizing their skills to become the best GM they can be!

  • GM-CRPG-1 - Beginner (8 hours) (open to all) (prerequisites: CRPG-2+ certification).
  • GM-CRPG-2 - Intermediate (12 hours) (open to all) (prerequisites: GM-CRPG-1 and 50 hours verified GM/Developer experience).
  • GM-CRPG-3 - Advanced (24 hours) (open to all) (prerequisites: GM-CRPG-3 and 500 hours verified GM/Developer experience).

 

  

GM-LARP - Game Master - Live-Action Role-Playing Gaming Training Series

 This section is for anyone wanting to learn to run a role-playing game. Whether you are new to role-playing gaming and never run a game before, or you have been a Game Master (GM) running role-playing games, but wish to become a better GM, these programs will condense decades of learning into hours and help you accelerate the process of becoming the best GM you can be and providing the optimal RPG experience for your players.

The GM-1 Beginner course is for people that have never, or only rarely, been the Game Master / Dungeon Master. The GM-2 Intermediate series if for GMs that have been running games for a few months to a few years, and would like to be able to "up their game". The GM-3 series is for GM's with many years experience as a GM, and want to "take it to the next level" optimizing their skills to become the best GM they can be!

  • GM-LARP-1 - Beginner (8 hours) (open to all) (prerequisites: LARP2+ certification).
  • GM-LARP-2 - Intermediate (12 hours) (open to all) (prerequisites: GM-LARP-1 and 50 hours verified LARP GM experience).
  • GM-LARP-3 - Advanced (24 hours) (open to all) (prerequisites: GM-LARP-2 and 300 hours verified LARP GM experience).

 


GM-TRPG - Game Master - Tabletop Role-Playing Gaming Training Series

 This section is for anyone wanting to learn to run a role-playing game. Whether you are new to role-playing gaming and never run a game before, or you have been a Game Master (GM) running role-playing games, but wish to become a better GM, these programs will condense decades of learning into hours and help you accelerate the process of becoming the best GM you can be and providing the optimal RPG experience for your players.

The GM-1 Beginner course is for people that have never, or only rarely, been the Game Master / Dungeon Master. The GM-2 Intermediate series if for GMs that have been running games for a few months to a few years, and would like to be able to "up their game". The GM-3 series is for GM's with many years experience as a GM, and want to "take it to the next level" optimizing their skills to become the best GM they can be!

  • GM-TRPG-1 - Beginner (8 hours) (open to all) (prerequisites: TRPG2+ certification).
  • GM-TRPG-2 - Intermediate (12 hours) (open to all) (prerequisites: GM-TRPG-1 certification and 50 hours verified tabletop RPG GM experience).
  • GM-TRPG-3 - Advanced (24 hours) (open to all) (prerequisites: GM-TRPG-2 certification and 300 hours verified tabletop RPG GM experience).

 

  

RPG Training for Professionals

For those professionals in education or care industries, this series provides a solid baseline of knowledge about role-playing games and how to play the games. You will want to take this course before taking on the task of the Game Master (GM), running the games for other players.

RPGP-1 provides a professional with the basic role-playing gaming player skills and how that could apply to their profession. This is a hands-on workshop teaching you the basics.

Wish to take your game play "to the next level"? The RPGP-2 program teaches you more advanced playing considerations for RPGs and how to encourage these gaming techniques in your players for your facility.

  • RPGP-1 - Introduction to RPG for Professionals (4 hours) (professionals only) (no other prerequisites).
  • RPGP-2 - Building on the RPGP-1, taking the game play to the next level (8 hours) (professionals only) (prerequisite: RPGP-1).

 

GME - Game Master for Education Training Series

This series is for those working in the education profession, and wish to bring role-playing games into your curriculum as an instructional modality.

  • GME-1 - Beginner (8 hours) (open to all) (prerequisites: player certification level 1+, and at least 25 hours player experience)
  • GME-2 - Intermediate (15 hours) (professionals only).
  • GME-3 - Advanced (pending) (professionals only).
  • GME-T - Master/Trainer (pending) (500+ hours related experience) (professionals only).

  

GMT - Game Master for Therapy Training Series

  • GMT-1 - Beginner (8 hours) (open to all).
  • GMT-2 - Intermediate (26 hours) (professionals only).
  • GMT-3 - Advanced (40 hours) (professionals only).
  • GMT-T - Master/Trainer (pending) (500+ hours related experience) (professionals only).

 

[+mod-x] Specific Population Training add-on “modules” Training Series

These supplementary modules drill down into specific programs for specific client populations and their related goals.

Participants are generally required to already be established professionals with certification, degree, or licensing in a relevant healthcare or educational field.

Additionally, each module has prerequisite training and certification from one or more of the above programs.

  • +mod-asd-1 - TRPG for ASD / PDD / ADHD spectrum youth and adult clients (professionals only).
  • +mod-asd-2 -  LARP for ASD / PDD / ADHD spectrum toddlers, youth, and adult clients to achieve therapeutic and “life skills” goals (professionals only).
  • +mod-asd-3 - LARP & TRPG for ADHD, at-risk, troubled, and substance recovery programs for youth and young adults, transition planning using RPGs to achieve therapeutic and life skill goals of clients (professionals only).
  • +mod-tbi-1 - Complete Program for Brain Injury Recovery using SRPG, CRPG, TRPG, & LARP (professionals only).
  • +mod-deaf-1 - TRPG & LARP for Deaf & Hard of Hearing (open to all, prereqs: RPGF-2 or higher).
  • +mod-ptsd-1 - RPGs for PTSD (professionals only).
  • +mod-phys-1 - RPGs for participants with physical disabilities (open to all, prereqs: RPGF-2 or higher).
  • +mod-ddi-1 - RPGs for participants with development delays/impairments (non-TBI) (professionals only).
  • +mod-sp-1 - RPG program plans for people with social phobias (open to all, prereqs: RPG-3 or higher).
  • +mod-bion-1 - RPG with bio and neuro monitoring and feedback (professionals only).