art therapy phd programs

• College of Arts & Sciences
• Graduate School of Education & Counseling
• Current Students
• Faculty & Staff
• <a href="/live/image/gid/635/width/650/104700_art_therapy_artwork_2.jpg" class="lw_preview_image lw_disable_preview" tabindex="-1"><picture class="lw_image lw_image104700"><source media="(max-width: 500px)" type="image/webp" srcset="/live/image/scale/2x/gid/635/width/500/height/479/crop/1/104700_art_therapy_artwork_2.rev.1722538962.webp 2x, /live/image/scale/3x/gid/635/width/500/height/479/crop/1/104700_art_therapy_artwork_2.rev.1722538962.webp 3x" data-origin="responsive"/><source media="(max-width: 500px)" type="image/jpeg" srcset="/live/image/scale/2x/gid/635/width/500/height/479/crop/1/104700_art_therapy_artwork_2.rev.1722538962.jpg 2x, /live/image/scale/3x/gid/635/width/500/height/479/crop/1/104700_art_therapy_artwork_2.rev.1722538962.jpg 3x" data-origin="responsive"/><source media="(min-width: 501px)" type="image/webp" srcset="/live/image/scale/2x/gid/635/width/720/height/690/crop/1/104700_art_therapy_artwork_2.rev.1722538962.webp 2x" data-origin="responsive"/><source media="(min-width: 501px)" type="image/jpeg" srcset="/live/image/scale/2x/gid/635/width/720/height/690/crop/1/104700_art_therapy_artwork_2.rev.1722538962.jpg 2x" data-origin="responsive"/><img src="/live/image/gid/635/width/720/height/690/crop/1/104700_art_therapy_artwork_2.rev.1722538962.jpg" alt="Lewis & Clark's newly expanded Community Counseling Center serves as a training ground for counseling students and a thriving me..." data-max-w="1500" data-max-h="1000" loading="lazy" data-optimized="true"/></picture></a> <div class="hero-split_image_caption collapsable-caption">Lewis & Clark’s newly expanded Community Counseling Center serves as a training ground for counseling students and a thriving mental health resource for Portland. L&C’s Art Therapy Program has a new home here, allowing practitioners to offer individual counseling as well as community programming. <a href="/live/news/53560-a-growing-hub-for-mental-health">Read about</a> this growing hub for mental health in the recently published article in L&C Magazine.</div>

Art Therapy

Our Master’s program in Art Therapy prepares students to utilize their passion for art making to deliver skillful, compassionate, and clinically focused care to individuals, groups, families and communities.

Apply Application Requirements

Our Master’s program in Art Therapy prepares students to utilize their passion for art making to deliver skillful, compassionate, and clinically focused care to individuals, groups, families and communities. Grounded in social justice, you will be challenged to confront your biases and beliefs, explore new mediums and themes in your art practice, deepen your awareness of yourself and others, and gain the skillsets needed to support diverse communities as a licensed art therapist and ethical leader.

The mission of Lewis & Clark’s Art Therapy program is to prepare competent, creative, and reflective art therapists who are committed to equity-based clinical and community praxis. Students learn to apply relationally and socially attuned art therapy using art making to deepen awareness of self and others within societal and cultural contexts.

Program Overview

Degrees offered: master of arts; master of science total credit hours: 58 semester hours for ma; 62-64 for ms program length: ma eight semesters; ms minimum eight semesters program start date: fall only program director: mary andrus → students interested in their lpc will also take career counseling for an additional 2 credits. view program of study, program details.

Our full-time, three-year Art Therapy program begins in fall and offers both Master of Arts and Master of Science degree tracks to accommodate students interested in becoming mental health practitioners, as well as those planning to conduct research, aspire to publish or pursue a PhD. Applying a social justice lens, you’ll learn to recognize the impact of oppression, prejudice, discrimination, and privilege on access to mental health care, and develop responsive practices that include collaboration, empowerment, advocacy, and social justice action. Through a combination of rigorous academic work, in-depth training, and real-world job placements, program candidates will be prepared to serve diverse communities as qualified art therapists and equity-minded ethical leaders, providing compassionate, clinically focused care to individuals, groups, and families in a variety of settings.

Our small cohort model provides students with opportunities to connect with program faculty and build a network of colleagues who grow with them as they move into professional practice. A pedagogy of learning that includes critical thinking, experiential engagement, dialogue and reflection helps our students to become engaged in deconstructing social norms and developing skills as an socio-culturally attuned art therapist.

Bridging academic theory into practice, our community based art therapy studio, media center and exhibition gallery, provides students hands-on training with licensed supervisors establishing equity based community centered experience and clinically focused internships. The robust offerings of the graduate school in a wide variety of areas allows students to customize their learning through electives that help build their clinical focus based on their interests and specialization (eg. ecotherapies certificate, eating disorder certificate and other special topics).

Featured News

A Growing Hub for Mental Health

Lewis & Clark’s newly expanded Community Counseling Center serves as a training ground for counseling students and a thriving mental health resource for Portland.

Why Choose Lewis & Clark?

Reputation for Academic Excellence

Lewis & Clark’s programs are respected nationwide for their quality and academic rigor. As Oregon’s only degree path to becoming a licensed art therapist, our program provides the training, skillsets, and real-world experience. You’ll learn to serve diverse populations and become a skilled art therapist in just 3 years, with no GRE required.

Focused on Social Justice & Equity

Our core values of social justice, equity, and access are deeply integrated into every aspect of the art therapy program—from the texts we read and culturally attuned training we offer to the creative work and community projects we undertake. You’ll learn to recognize the impact of oppression, prejudice, discrimination, and privilege on access to mental health care, and develop responsive practices for effectively tackling these issues in your work as an art therapist.

Real World, Hands-On Experience

In all three years of the program, you’ll participate in pre-practicum, practicum and internship experiences in a variety of settings across the Portland metro area—allowing you to apply your theoretical and clinical knowledge hands-on, gain real work experience in the field, and continue to deepen your skillset as an art therapist.

Community Studio & Clinic

Starting in 2022 we will launch a new community studio, which will offer low-cost art therapy services to the Portland community, regular art exhibitions, graduate assistantships and access to the studio space for classroom instruction. In this space students will move theory into practice, serving various community groups and individuals. This 3000 square foot space is one of a kind, including a gallery, a digital media room, multiple individual therapy rooms, a community studio and a group room.

Supportive Environment & Community

With small class sizes and tight-knit cohorts, you’ll receive plenty of personal attention and support from faculty members, staff, peers, and professional mentors— all of whom are committed to your success in the program and in your future career. You’ll form meaningful, lasting connections, enjoy a strong support network for the duration of the program, and establish a growing professional network that helps nurture your career for years to come.

Sought-After Graduates & Career Support

Our program’s reputation for producing exceptional art therapists means our graduates are highly sought-after by employers, with most students receiving a job offer shortly after graduating. Oregon is one of only 8 states with licensure specific to the practice and title protection of art therapists. Alumni of our program are regularly provided with information about employment opportunities and remain connected with program faculty.

Accomplished Program Faculty

Our experienced faculty members and supervisors are committed to ensuring our students’ success both academically and in their future careers. As practicing art therapists, counselors, psychologists, and researchers themselves, they bring their unique perspectives, work experiences, and knowledge of the latest best practices directly to the classroom. Plus, as recognized thought leaders, they are regularly published in mental health publications, providing students with the opportunity to assist in groundbreaking research.

Stunning Campus in a Vibrant, Progressive City

Our beautiful, historic campus is just six miles from downtown Portland, OR with easy access to the city’s cultural offerings, great food, and abundant nature. You’ll quickly discover why Portland was ranked #9 in U.S. News & World Report’s 2020-21 list of best places to live .

Social justice means advocating for the rights of others, which includes access, opportunity, and worth. It also means empowering vulnerable peoples with the tools to achieve their potential. As art making and a love for people have been my natural inclinations since childhood, it’s been an honor to learn how to support others through the magic of creation.

Social justice mission, deeply committed to social justice.

At Lewis & Clark, our social justice mission is more than a talking point—it’s fully integrated into every aspect of our programs. We strive to facilitate meaningful conversations around social justice topics and teach you how to incorporate equity into your professional practice to better serve your future clients, mental health organizations, and the larger community.

Recognizing that not everyone in our society has the same access to mental health care, our program aims to increase your understanding of the issues and dynamics in the mental health field across social and cultural lines—illustrating how they can impact the therapeutic process. Students will broaden the scope of their diversity awareness and knowledge, including systems of power and privilege, with special attention given to developing an understanding of the intersectionality of contextual and systemic dynamics related to race and racial inequalities, class, nation of origin and language, spirituality and religion, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity and physical abilities. You’ll be prepared to work with individuals, groups, families, and communities from a variety of cultural, linguistic, and economic backgrounds, at every age level. Applying a social justice lens to your work as an art therapist, you’ll learn how to drive greater equity and access in mental health services, promote healing through artmaking, and have a lasting impact on the clients and communities you serve.

Meaningful Engagement with the Local Community

Art Therapy Open Studio is a virtual studio session providing individuals from all walks of life with a safe place to create art and find community, every Thursday from 3-6 pm. Participants can either start a new art piece using the gentle prompt offered in each session or use the time to work on pieces already in progress.

Register for Art Therapy Virtual Open Studio

Art for Social Change Open Studio is a virtual studio session that focuses specifically on exploring social, racial, or political current events. Partnered with the Art for Social Change Committee , this session is designed to support both individual artmaking and facilitate meaningful group projects.

Register for Art for Social Change Virtual Open Studio

All weekly studio sessions are free and open to the public.

• lcarttherapy

lcartforsocialchange

Art Therapy Program Faculty

Mary Andrus

Fredelyn Calla

Jolie Guillebeau

Portia Jones

Erin Patridge

Kristine Bella

Margaret Hartsook

Maria Leija Briones

Justin Rock

Melissa “Missy” Satterberg

Jillynn Garcia

Erin Headley

Alphonso Nuñez

Rosario Sammartino

Gain extensive, hands-on experience.

Through intensive practicum and internship experiences in all three years of our program, you’ll have the opportunity to learn hands-on—applying your coursework to a real-world environment, establishing professional contacts locally, and in the final year students gain 720 hours of art therapy experience and insights that can only be gleaned by working in the field. As a result, you’ll be better prepared to launch your career in Art Therapy as soon as you’re licensed—with the work experience and references needed to stand out from other practitioners and job candidates.

Applying your theoretical and clinical knowledge hands-on, you’ll work with mental health organizations in practice settings that align with your professional goals and desired focus areas. To increase your practical training and job readiness, you can choose from a wide range of placements throughout the Portland metro area including: elementary schools, hospitals, drug treatment facilities, education centers, nursing homes, day treatment programs, and more. Some organizations offer employment to students, the potential to hire our students directly upon graduation. In addition, as a student of our art therapy program, you may also be eligible for paid research assistantship opportunities.

As a white woman from a lower, middle-class family, I believe it is my duty to use my privilege within society to promote equality and power for those within marginalized communities. I hope to work as an Art Therapist to be an agent of positive change.

 launching successful careers nationwide.

Our Art Therapy program graduates are in high demand with mental health organizations, nonprofits, and community organizations in the Portland metro area and nationwide, with most students receiving a job offer within six months of graduating.

Lewis & Clark art therapy interns bring a new energy and diverse perspectives to our department at the children’s hospital. They are eager to put their hard-won knowledge and skills to use in meaningful and innovative ways, in a setting that is fast-paced and emotionally intense. We enjoy supporting the growth of new members of our field and Lewis & Clark’s program prepares them well for their journey.” Katie Dunn, LCAT, ATR-BC, ATCS Art Therapy Program Coordinator at Randall Children’s Hospital

Total Number of Credits in Program: 58 minimum Minimum total tuition costs based on 2024-2025 credit rate of $1,100 per credit. Note: Tuition increases each academic year.

• Scholarships
• Full Tuition and Costs
• Financial Aid

We use FAFSA to determine your eligibility for financial aid. A dedicated graduate school financial aid counselor can help you navigate the financial aid process and identify additional resources to help offset the cost of your education.

Other Resources

• Application Requirements & Deadlines
• Handbooks & Forms
• Licensure Requirements
• News & Events
• 2023 Capstone Presentations & Virtual Art Exhibition
• 2022 Capstone Presentations & Virtual Art Exhibition
• 2021 Capstone Presentations & Virtual Art Exhibition
• 2021 Art Therapy Student & faculty Virtual Art Show
• 2020 Capstone Presentations & Virtual Art Exhibition

Our Art Therapy program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs ( www.caahep.org ) upon the recommendation of the Accreditation Council for Art Therapy Education (ACATE).

This program prepares competent entry-level Art Therapists in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavior) learning domains.

Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs 25400 US Highway 19 N., Suite 158 Clearwater, FL 33763 727-210-2350 www.caahep.org

Search NYU Steinhardt

Art Therapy

Our person-centered clinical orientation is guided by humanistic and contemporary approaches to psychoanalytic theory that include ego psychology, object relations, self psychology, and intersubjectivity psychology, and that are grounded in current empirical research, especially attachment and trauma theories.

Master of Arts Art Therapy

Our program integrates psychotherapy and visual arts practice that engages the creative power of art for clinical assessment and treatment.

Doctor of Philosophy Rehabilitation Sciences

Prepare for a fulfilling academic career in research and teaching in the rehabilitation sciences through interdisciplinary study across health fields.

NYU Creative Arts Therapies Consortium

The NYU Creative Arts Therapies Consortium aims to advance public knowledge and research in the creative arts therapies.

The Art Therapy Program at NYU is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs upon the recommendation of The Accreditation Council for Art Therapy Education.

Community Engagement

Students, Faculty, and Alumni from the Art Therapy program are active members of their global and local communities. The program currently has 56 students  in the metro area for their clinical placements, expanding the range of services offered during this mental health crisis.

Read on to learn more about the program's community engagement and the free services it offers to our community.

210 new artworks are created weekly in art therapy sessions offered to public school students by the  NYU Art Therapy in Schools Program

18 supply kits were purchased for the 18 artists working weekly in our  Parkinson's Disease art therapy groups  online and in person

Over 1200 masks have been upcycled and contributed to the  Parachute Project  to focus on post-traumatic growth in response to the pandemic

Supporting the Newest New Yorkers

NYU Steinhardt faculty, students, and staff have risen to the challenge to help migrants and asylum seekers in New York City.

Embodying Healing through Art Therapy

NYU Steinhardt’s Art Therapy program blends clinical efficacy with holistic wellness for communities across New York City — and the world.

Graduate Art Therapy Program Expands Collaboration with the Rubin Museum

Based on past success, the Graduate Art Therapy program has expanded programming at the Rubin Museum, offering free art therapy sessions for the public.

Art Therapy Program Students and Faculty Display the Parachute Project in the Barney Building

The Parachute Project, initiated by the art therapy program, is a contribution to the global effort called for by UNICEF to understand the impact of the pandemic on children and adolescents.

New Steinhardt/Langone Research Published on Art Therapy and Parkinson's Disease

This groundbreaking, innovative study is the first paper exploring the effects of art therapy on Parkinson's Disease in a medical peer-reviewed journal utilizing clinical, behavioral, eye tracking, and brain connectivity outcomes.

Art and Art Professions

Barney Building 34 Stuyvesant Street, New York, NY 10003 212-998-5700 [email protected]

Danielle E. Swan, "Still," 2021

Art Therapy & Counseling

Art therapy and counseling department.

The School of the Art Institute of Chicago’s Master of Arts in Art Therapy and Counseling program explores the relationship between life experiences and artmaking and prepares graduates for a career helping people gain or recover intellectual and emotional clarity, equilibrium, and power through artistic expression.

Applications are open for undergraduate and graduate programs.

Undergraduate Admissions Events

Meet with us, learn more about SAIC and our curriculum, and get feedback on your work.

Graduate Admissions Events

Learn how to prepare a competitive application, meet with faculty and staff, and explore our programs and facilities.

Jess Bass, Goo & Ooo, 2022

Our Departmental Mission

To provide an art therapy and counseling education that prepares artist-art therapists to practice in specialized settings within a socio-cultural context.

Annalise Castro, "Just Let It Happen," 2021

Program Guide and Admissions

For admissions questions about the  MAATC Program Guide or additional questions about the MAATC program, please email the Art Therapy and Counseling department at  [email protected] .

Faculty News

Six SAIC Community Members Win Creative Capital Awards in Visual Arts and Film

Three SAIC Community Members Receive 3Arts Awards

Assistant Professor Sandie Yi Awarded Disability Futures Fellowship

Aram Han Sifuentes' Protest Banner at Pulitzer Arts Foundation

Department of Art Therapy and Counseling

Sharp Building 37 S. Wabash Ave., Suite 713

Phone: 312.899.7481

[email protected]

Department Chair

Adelheid Mers [email protected]

MAATC Program Director

Katherine Marie Kunkel Kamholz [email protected]

Associate Director of Clinical Education

Deborah Ann DelSignore [email protected]

Licensure Specialist

Valerie Vasquez [email protected]

Senior Administrative Director

Kathleen McGrath [email protected]

Administrative Assistant

Kristi Moynihan [email protected]

• Admissions & Aid
• Life at Lesley

Search form (GSE) 1

Expressive therapies.

• Overview & Curriculum
• Program Features
• Program Costs
• Apply Now Request More Info

Apply research and creativity to spark individual and societal change.

Transform individuals and communities through creativity, scholarship, and collaboration. Enhance your practice and become a leader in expressive therapies through this low-residency doctoral program, which interweaves artistic expression and inquiry with a focus on research. Join with Lesley’s world-recognized faculty and other committed professionals to expand the theory and practice of expressive therapies, exploring new opportunities for research and global impact.

Lesley University’s doctoral program in expressive therapies provides you with the opportunity for in-depth study, artistic growth, and professional development regardless of your arts therapy specialization.

Guided by your own interests and experience, you’ll conduct relevant research and contribute new scholarship to the field. Whether you’re looking to further your career in higher education or become a leader in an arts therapy discipline, our program is designed to help you meet your goals.

The low-residency model provides a convenient format that allows you to expand your knowledge base in expressive therapies, while accommodating your work schedule and personal life. Complete a 2-week on-campus residency for three summers. During the residency, you’ll meet with your faculty advisor, attend seminars and classes, design research projects, and collaborate with other doctoral students. Between residencies, continue your work from home while staying connected with your faculty advisor and peers via online class sessions.

Program Structure

Low-Residency Doctoral Program

• To enroll in this program, you’ll need to show proof of: - An earned master's degree from a regionally accredited institution. - Certification or registration in one of the expressive therapies modalities (art therapy, dance therapy, drama therapy, expressive arts therapy, music therapy, play therapy, poetry therapy, or psychodrama). - Demonstration of good communication skills in the English language, both written and oral, at a level appropriate to doctoral study. - Demonstration of satisfactory performance on the GRE or the MAT examination. The Lesley University CEEB number is 3483 for the GRE and 1214 for the MAT. - A minimum of 3-5 years of professional experience as an expressive therapist.
• - Shifting Power Paradigms in Research - Arts Based Research I - Philosophical Foundations of Expressive Therapies - Critical Inquiry I - Research: Quantitative I - Research: Qualitative I
• - Critical Inquiry II - Research II - Research II: Qualitative II - Literature Review - Research II: Quantitative II - Arts Based Research II
• - Interdisciplinary Seminar - Leadership in Expressive Therapies - Professional Seminar
• Complete and defend your dissertation during your final years of study.

Low-Residency Format

Participate in one 2-week summer residency on Lesley University’s Cambridge campus for the first 3 years of your program. Between residencies, continue your studies online with Lesley faculty, devoting significant weekly time toward doctoral study. Your final years are dedicated to off-site, independent work on your dissertation with support from your faculty advisors. 

Innovators in the Field

Established over 40 years ago, we were the first graduate program in the U.S. to train professionals in this emerging field. Today our program is the largest of its kind and remains at the forefront of innovation. Our reputation and outstanding faculty—all practitioners in the arts—are what attract students from around the world.

Myriam Savage ’15

Expressive arts therapy can treat:.

How Creative Expression Can Benefit Older Adults

Mitchell kossak receives 'shining star' award.

Cambridge, MA

A nexus for higher education and mental health counseling practice and research, each year 250,000 students arrive to Cambridge from around the globe. The intellectual and cultural capital runs deep, and so do your opportunities addressing barriers to wellness. From Lesley’s location, access innovative community, hospital, and school-based mental health programs.

• Mental Health Therapist
• Music Therapist
• Art Therapist
• Drama Therapist
• Creative Therapist
• Dance/Movement Therapist
• Expressive Arts Therapist
• Universities and Colleges
• Mental Health Clinics
• Psychiatric Clinics
• Assisted Living Facilities
• Correctional Facilities

Professor of Expressive Therapies

Dr. Robyn Cruz’s clinical work has spanned populations such as adults with serious and persistent mental illnesses and children and adolescents with trauma and substance abuse issues. Her doctoral degree is in Educational Psychology with a specialization in Measurement and Methodology. She has worked as a research methodologist and research consultant, taught doctoral students since 1995, and has taught graduate courses in dance therapy, research methods, and statistics to students from many disciplines in the US, Europe, and South America.

Her courses reflect her interests in creative arts therapies research that uses the broad range of available methods and particularly, incorporating research thinking and resources into creative arts therapies clinical practices. Her teaching philosophy and practice are grounded in a professional collaboration model that reflects skills honed by teaching statistics to doctoral students from many disciplines at the University of Arizona. She uses a model based on the fact that students learn least from an instructor's oral recitation of information and most from engaging the subject matter themselves.

Robyn believes that policy and leadership go hand-in-hand with creative arts therapies and are important for the continued development and viability of these professions. She has devoted years of service to the University and to the Creative Arts Therapies community at large. She served as Co-Chair for the Lesley University Institutional Review Board from 2012-2021, and as IRB member from 2005 to the present. She was featured in the Lesley University 2012 Annual Report.

She is a past President of the American Dance Therapy Association (ADTA), serving four years as Vice President and four years as President of the organization. In these capacities she regularly visited Washington, DC to speak with lawmakers about creative arts therapies with respect to access for clients and licensing. As ADTA President, she introduced the Multicultural and Diversity Committee to the ADTA Board of Directors. This was the first new standing committee created in the organization in over 25 years.

Robyn also brought the Dance/Movement Therapy Certification Board, a separate credentialing body for dance therapy, and new credentials (R-DMT and BC-DMT) into existence during her presidency, creating new professional opportunities and oversight for professional dance therapists. She is a former editor of American Journal of Dance Therapy, and served as Editor-in-Chief of The Arts in Psychotherapy from 2002 to 2015. She is past Chairperson of the National Coalition for Creative Arts Therapies Associations.  

Michele Forinash

Professor, Director of the PhD in Expressive Therapies

Dr. Forinash is Professor and Director of the PhD program in Expressive Therapies at Lesley University. A graduate of Columbus State University in Columbus, Georgia, Dr. Forinash completed her master’s and doctorate at New York University. She is a past president of the American Music Therapy Association and a past chair of the National Coalition of Creative Arts Therapies (NCCATA). She has published articles and chapters on qualitative research, supervision, feminist music therapy, and LGBTQ awareness and has presented internationally on these topics. For ten years she served as the North American Co-Editor for the online international music therapy journal Voices: A World Forum for Music Therapy ( www.voices.no ). She is also an associated supervisor for the doctoral program in music therapy at Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark.

Jason Frydman

Associate Professor, Expressive Therapies

Jason S. Frydman, PhD, RCT/BCT, NCSP is associate professor of expressive therapies at Lesley University where he teaches in the doctoral expressive therapies program and co-chairs the university's institutional review board. He is a registered drama therapist/board certified trainer with the North American Drama Therapy Association, a nationally certified school psychologist with the National Association of School Psychologists, and licensed psychologist (GA). Dr. Frydman is the founder and lead researcher of the Collaborative for Creative Arts Therapies in Schools (C-CATIS), based at Lesley. He serves as the associate editor for general topics for Translational Issues in Psychological Science and sits on the editorial boards of Drama Therapy Review and School Psychology Review. Research interests include creative arts therapies in schools, research issues in the creative arts therapies, mental health literacy, and school-based trauma-informed practices. He has served as NADTA conference co-chair, communications chair, and is immediate-past research chair. He is an invited and initial member of the Mental Health Literacy Collaborative and served on the advisory board for the Foundation for Jewish Camping.

Professional service

Jason is active in professional service, including

• Co-chair of the North American Drama Therapy Association Conference (2012)
• North American Drama Therapy Association Communications Chair (2012-2015) and Research Chair (2019-2021)
• Guest co-editor of the Drama Therapy Review (DTR) special issue: Drama Therapy in the Schools (5.1)
• Current editorial boards include the Drama Therapy Review, School Psychology Review , and Translational Issues in Psychological Science

Mitchell Kossak

Professor/Coordinator of Expressive Therapies

Dr. Mitchell Kossak , LMHC, REAT is a professor in the Department of Graduate Expressive Therapies at Lesley University. He served as Department Chair from 2006 to 2013. He was the President and Executive Co-Chair for the International Expressive Arts Therapy Association (IEATA) 2010-2016. He has been a licensed mental health counselor, since 1994, and is a Registered Expressive Arts Therapist (REAT).

He is the Associate Editor of the Journal of Applied Arts and Health and Co-Chair of the Institute for Arts and Health at Lesley University. His clinical work combines expressive arts therapies with body-centered approaches with a variety of populations addressing issues such as chronic pain, recovery from trauma, depression, anxiety, life transitions and relationships. In addition he has worked extensively with autistic children and adults. Mitchell has trained in a variety of mind body modalities including Polarity Therapy, Craniosacral Therapy, Deep Tissue Massage and Bioenergetics. In Expressive Arts Therapies he has training in music therapy, experimental theater, psychodrama, and authentic movement. He studied Sound Healing with innovators in the field of sacred sound and transformation of consciousness, such as Dr. John Beaulieu author of Music and Sound in the Healing Arts and Silvia Nakkach director of the Vox Mundi Project. In addition to this training, he has studied and practiced energy based healing forms such as Tai Chi, Chi Kung, Vipassana meditation, and Iyengar yoga for over 30 years. He earned his doctorate from the Union Institute and University in interdisciplinary studies with a concentration in Expressive Arts Therapy and transpersonal psychology. He has written about and presented his research on rhythmic attunement, improvisation, psychospiritual and community-based approaches to working with trauma and embodied states of consciousness at conferences nationally and internationally. He is the author of Attunement in Expressive Arts Therapy:  Toward an Understanding of Embodied Empathy. He is the Associate Editor of The Journal of Applied Arts and Health and Co-Chair of the Institute for Arts and Health at Lesley University. 

Mitchell Kossak is also a professional musician, performing for the past 30 years in the Boston area.

Kelvin Ramirez

Associate Professor/Coordinator of Art Therapy

Dr. Kelvin Ramirez is a Board Certified Registered Art Therapist (ATR-BC) and core faculty member of the Department of Graduate Expressive Therapies . Kelvin is a Board Member of FNE International, a 501(c)3 organization that partners with communities in developing nations to identify opportunities to advance housing, health and education. With that international experience, Kelvin continues to collaborate and develops programs with educators, clinicians, and community leaders in Nicaragua, the Dominican Republic and India. He has developed academic curriculum that build and reinforce initiatives in Nicaragua, The Dominican Republic, Haiti and India.

Prior to joining Lesley, Kelvin was the vice principal of a high school in the South Bronx where he developed and incorporated art therapy within educational systems to enhance student’s personal and academic growth. During his 9-year tenure as vice principal, art therapy was infused throughout the academic and therapeutic approaches of the school, increasing retention and shifting behavioral approaches to enhance students' socio-emotional development.

Kelvin has taught for the Counseling Division at the College of New Rochelle and the Clinical Art Therapy Program at Long Island University C.W. Post.

His current areas of interest and research include:

• The development of international art therapy initiatives that conform to the specific needs of communities
• Contemporary social justice issues
• How art therapy addresses or ignores systemic oppression
• The underrepresentation of people of color within the field of art therapy and the implications of this on theory and practice
• The connections between horticultural therapy and art therapy to transform communities

Teaching is important to Kelvin, because it is through this act of service that people are prepared to direct their destinies and author their own stories. It is a profession that entrusts educators with the malleable minds of the future. Kelvin holds fast to the unwavering ideals that brought him to education, including that social injustices can only be remedied by an educated populous, that an educated mind is a mind called into action for the betterment of all human kind, and that through educating our future generations, our positive influence on the world will continue long after we expire.

Jason Butler

Professor of Drama Therapy, Department Chair of Graduate Expressive Therapies

Dr. Jason D. Butler  is a Registered Drama Therapist, Board Certified Trainer, and New York State Licensed Creative Arts Therapist. Jason is a former President of the North American Drama Therapy Association (NADTA) and previously served on the NADTA Board of Directors as President-Elect and Communications Chair. He is the editor-in-chief for  The Arts in Psychotherapy and the former training director for DvT Montreal, a satellite of the Institute for Developmental Transformations.

Prior to joining Lesley University, Jason was a professor in Creative Arts Therapy at Montreal's Concordia University, serving for a portion of that time as the graduate program director for drama therapy and a member of the Arts in Health Research Collective.   Jason is an internationally known drama therapist, having presented on drama therapy in many countries, including the Czech Republic, China, Hong Kong, South Africa, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom. He has served as an adjunct faculty member at Lesley University and at New York University and was one of the first recipients of the NADTA Teaching Excellence Award in 2012. 

Prior to being a full-time professor, Jason was the director of Goddard Riverside Community Center’s The Other Place, a psycho-social program and drop-in center for homelessness and mental illness in New York City. Prior to finding drama therapy, he was a high school theatre teacher. His publications include articles and book chapters on drama therapy education, arts therapies pedagogy, schizophrenia, developmental transformations, and role theory. His current research includes an exploration of the drama therapy student experience as well as the application of drama therapy theory to experiential learning.

• Low-Residency
• Tuition $1,200/credit x 45 $54,000
• Fees PhD Matriculation Fees $12,000 Comprehensive Fee $1,125

All graduate students are reviewed for merit scholarships through the admissions process and are awarded at the time of acceptance. Other forms of  financial aid  are also available. Review all  graduate tuition and fees , and what they cover. Tuition and fees are subject to change each year, effective in the Summer term.

Ready to get started? We're here to make the application process as smooth as possible. Just answer a few quick questions, and get your customized application guide.

Next steps to apply

• Admissions & Aid
• What Is Art Therapy?
• Support Art Therapy

Art Therapy Program

Columbian College of Arts & Sciences

• Alumni Outcomes
• Licensure Forms
• MA in Art Therapy
• BA in Psychology/MA in Art Therapy
• Non-Degree Student Online Course
• Becoming an internship site
• International Initiatives
• Learning Center
• Adjunct Faculty
• Appointments & Fees
• Virtual Open Studio for Adults

healing the mind and body

Through the therapeutic power of art.

The GW Art Therapy Program combines the expressive use of drawing, painting and sculpture with psychotherapeutic concepts to aid in healing the mind and body. Founded in 1971 , the fully accredited program is one of the first of its kind in the United States. It offers a rare combination of international partnerships , internships and trauma training while providing practical experience through its Art Therapy Clinic . The program also supports students' artistic pursuits, with frequent exhibits in a modern gallery space.

Students learn through hands-on training guided by our faculty, who are all credentialed art therapists with expertise in clinical practice and research. The academic program offers master’s and combined bachelor’s and master’s degrees that facilitate professional licensure upon graduation.

MA in Art Therapy Info Session: June 14

Join us online for an information session discussing the field of art therapy and the GW Master of Arts in Art Therapy program.

Register to Attend

Art Therapy by the Numbers

Average Retention Rate

2023 : 92.59% 2022 : 83.87% 2021 : 90.91%

Average Graduate Employment Rate*

2023 : 94.10% 2022 : 100% 2021 : 95.24%

*Positive placement within six months

More Program Outcomes

In the News

Student Research Shines at CCAS Showcase

April 26, 2024

Undergraduate and graduate students, including art therapy master’s student Bianca Batar, displayed their scholarly work at the 2024 CCAS Research Showcase.

What We Offer

Comprehensive Trauma Training

Offering training from experts, the curriculum enables students to study trauma theory in the classroom and then apply those lessons to real-life client work.

In-House Clinical Training

In the GW Art Therapy Clinic , students gain experience alongside registered, board-certified faculty while giving back to the local community.

International Opportunities

GW's program is unique in the field for our international focus, offering research and study abroad opportunities in India, Hong Kong, Croatia and more.

Professional Licensure Preparation

Students complete nearly 1,000 hours of clinical training, many of which may be applied toward professional licensure in art therapy after graduation.

“Not only has this program provided me with a deeper understanding of the field of art therapy, but it has helped me to foster a deeper understanding of myself. By cultivating more self awareness and strengthening my own identity as an aspiring art therapist, I feel better equipped to enter into the helping profession with confidence.”

Bo Hundley MA '20

Accreditation

The Art Therapy Program at the George Washington University is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) upon the recommendation of the Accreditation Council for Art Therapy Education (ACATE).

CAAHEP manages the ACATE accreditation process.

The Art Therapy Program at the George Washington University is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design .

Empowering Passionate Professionals

Adler Graduate School educates empowered leaders, counselors, and human services professionals with a passion for social justice and community action. 
Let us help you help others through our master's and certificate programs.

Prospective Student

Accepted student, current student, faculty & staff member.

• Library & Writing Center
• Career Services
• Technology Services & IT Support
• Adler Email
• Campus Directory
• Adler Graduate School Viewbook

Expressive Arts Therapy

Specialty Program

Develop the theory and technique to integrate the therapeutic use of expressive arts within your counseling practice.

Add Creative Exploration To Your Practice

Explore a variety of expressive arts modalities while developing your unique professional identity as a mental health professional who uses the creative arts as a therapeutic tool for growth and healing.

• Visual arts
• Movement-based creative expression
• Sound/music
• Creative writing
• Nature-based practices

Discover You’re Inner Source of Creativity

You’ll discover your inner source of creativity, using your personal artistic experience as a tool for self-discovery and self-expression as you learn to identify appropriate expressive arts modalities when working with diverse individuals, families, and groups.

The specialty consists of:

• 100% online courses in our time-tested virtual format
• Supervised internship
• Final portfolio project

Registration as an Expressive Arts Therapist

Our EXAT specialty program is designed to meet the educational requirements to become a Registered Expressive Arts Therapist (REAT) with the International Expressive Arts Therapy Association (IEATA). Please see the post graduate requirements at www.ieata.org . Program graduates must independently apply for registration through the IEATA.

Chart Your Course

The online Expressive Arts Therapy specialty seamlessly integrates into each CACREP-accredited Master of Arts in Counseling concentration, both online and in person.

Learn more about our Expressive Arts Therapy faculty, students, and alumni.

As an educator, I aim to provide my students with a relational learning environment that stimulates engagement, encouragement, and creativity. …

I am passionate about helping students as they learn and grow. I have an excitement for life, and I enjoy …

Required Courses

Please refer to our course catalog for the most up-to-date course requirements.

Upon completion of the program, students will have mastery over the following:

• Theory and Technique: Describe the theories, techniques, and functions of multimodal expressive arts therapy, emphasizing cross-cultural contexts of creative expression.
• History and Context: Describe the historical uses of the expressive arts in different cultures and the evolution of contemporary expressive arts practices.
• Foundational Principles: Demonstrate understanding of the basic principles of different expressive arts modalities, such as art therapy, dance therapy, psychodrama, and music therapy, and how these principles can be applied through a multimodal approach.
• Professional Perspective: Apply the expressive arts through a systemic lens to address diverse clinical, social, and cultural issues that present in clinical and community-based practice.
• Adlerian Psychology: Demonstrate how Adlerian theory can inform the application of the expressive arts through conceptualization and technique.
• Artistic Expression and Mental Health: Conceptualize the relationship between artistic expression and individual mental health, including assessment, treatment planning, and techniques, as applied to selected client disorders within a cross-cultural context.
• Multimodal Approach: Apply a multimodal approach of the expressive arts, including visual arts, movement, music, creative writing, and nature-based practices to foster the mind-body-spirit integration.
• Ethical Consideration: Identify possible professional and ethical issues when using the expressive arts.
• Inclusive Understanding and Ability: Identify and apply appropriate expressive arts modalities when working with special populations and diverse individuals, families, groups, and systems to help foster healthy self-expression and movement toward mental health wellness.
• Personal Growth: Demonstrate personal and professional growth through the expressive arts.

Next Steps?

It’s time to take the next step in your journey. Choose yours below.

Contact the Admissions Office

Shawn Larson, MS

to schedule a 1:1 please use my  Calendly link

G Train Disruption: scheduled repairs August 12–September 3. Find alternate routes.

• School of Art
• Undergraduate Programs
• Graduate Programs
• Continuing Studies
• Study Abroad
• Center K–12
• Interdisciplinary Studies
• Undergraduate Advising

Admissions & Aid

• Undergraduate
• Admissions Contacts
• Student Financial Services

Life at Pratt

• Life in Brooklyn
• Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
• Residential Life & Housing
• Health & Safety
• Student Success
• Athletics & Recreation
• Student Involvement
• Student Affairs
• Title IX & Nondiscrimination
• Current Students
• Prospective Students
• International Students
• Administrative Departments
• People Directory

Art and Design Education

• Art and Design Education, Undergraduate
• Art and Design Education, Graduate

Associate Degrees

• Game Design and Interactive Media, AOS
• Graphic Design, AOS
• Illustration, AOS
• Graphic Design/Illustration, AAS
• Painting/Drawing, AAS

Creative Arts Therapy

• Art Therapy and Creativity Development, MPS
• Art Therapy and Creativity Development, MPS, Low Residency Program
• Dance/Movement Therapy, MS
• Dance/Movement Therapy, MS, Low Residency Program

Creative Enterprise Leadership

• Arts and Cultural Management, MPS
• Design Management, MPS

Digital Arts and Animation

• Digital Arts, BFA (Emphasis in 2-D Animation)
• Digital Arts, BFA (Emphasis in 3-D Animation and Motion Arts)
• Digital Arts, BFA (Emphasis in Art & Technology/formerly Interactive Arts)
• Game Arts, BFA
• Digital Arts, MFA (3-D Animation and Motion Arts Concentration)
• Digital Arts, MFA (Interactive Arts Concentration)
• Fine Arts, BFA
• Fine Arts, MFA

Photography

• Photography Undergraduate
• Photography Graduate
• About the School of Art
• School of Art Exhibitions
• SoArt Lectures

Show Navigation

Creative Arts Therapy is where psychology and creativity meet to help us help others. Composed of two core disciplines, our programs prepare you to become a psychotherapist with art or dance movement as your modality. Through experiential and embodied learning and immersive clinical training, you'll discover the curative nature of the creative process and the healing potential of art.

We believe your creative and clinical practices are best developed together, each informing and improving the other.

Our faculty live this idea every day in their own work. Many are accomplished artists and continue to maintain both a creative and a clinical practice alongside their teaching roles.

• Top 10 Online Marriage and Family Counseling Degree Programs
• 20 Best Online Master’s in Pastoral Counseling Degree Programs
• Top 30 Master’s in Marriage and Family Counseling Online Degree Programs
• Genetic Counseling
• Career Counseling
• Addiction Counseling
• Marriage Counseling
• Christian Counseling
• Mental Health Counseling
• Privacy Policy

Top 20 Master of Art Therapy Degree Programs

A Master of Art Therapy degree program is designed for individuals passionate about helping others through the medium of art and creative expression. Graduates become effective therapists who use various creative tools to help patients understand their emotional conflicts and explore their feelings. They use the creative process of making art to help manage addictions, develop social skills, reduce anxiety, improve self-esteem, and thus help them regain normal life functions. The underlying goal of art therapy is to combine psychotherapeutic counseling techniques to foster self-awareness, promote personal development, and build coping skills.

A master’s degree in art therapy prepares them for entry-level practice in Art Therapy. Graduates work in various settings like rehabilitation centers, clinics and hospitals, nursing homes, schools, daycare centers, and correctional facilities. The master’s degree curriculum includes supervised art therapy clinical internships and supervised practicum, both of which include hands-on learning opportunities. 

Art therapy can benefit diverse client populations, including patients with severe behavioral problems and addictions, individuals trying to cope with trauma, combat or abuse, people with serious medical health conditions, injuries or disabilities, to people dealing with acute stress, anxiety, and behavioral issues.

A Master of Art Therapy degree typically takes two years to complete. However., some schools offer a flexible option for working students who may opt for the extended format and complete it in three years. Others may opt for the accelerated format and complete their degree within two years, including the thesis project, comprehensive exam, and supervised clinical practicum. These art therapy master’s programs prepare graduates to work with various age groups and therapeutic modalities. 

A master’s degree in art therapy curricula usually includes the history of art therapy, assessment procedures, art therapy techniques, characteristics of disabilities and illness, psychology, human development, and psychiatric terminology. The curriculum is designed to prepare students to become registered, licensed, and board-certified. Art therapists must also have a strong understanding of visual art, but their patients need not be art experts. They use a variety of art forms to guide a client through the creative process of healing.

In this ranking, we have researched and reviewed the schools that offer accredited and recognized Master of Art Therapy degree programs. We zeroed down to the top 20 schools that provide high-quality programs known to provide foundational training for successful art therapy careers. We have considered the program offerings, school rankings, program and school accreditation, faculty profiles, student support, affordability of the programs, aids, and internship opportunities for ranking purposes. The programs are ranked based on their affordability.

Methodology:

Tuition  

• Net Price Below $10,000: 4 points 
• Net Price Below $15,000: 3 points 
• Net Price Below $20,000: 2 points 
• Net Price Below $25,000: 1 point

Student to Faculty Ratio 

• Less than 20:1: 1 point 
• Less than 15: 1: 2 points 
• Less than 10: 1: 3 points 

Return on Investment (ROI) 

• Top 500: 1 point 
• Top 300: 2 points 
• Top 150: 3 points

Student Support Network (faculty mentors/advisors, writing/technology support, etc.)— 1 point per item

Concentrations/Specializations – 1 point per item

Accreditation (School-Wide and Program-Specific) – 1 point per item

“Wow” Factor – 1 point (anything that would mark a program as unique. Special qualities that make a program “stand out from the crowd”)

#20 New York University 

New york, ny.

MA in Art Therapy

Visit Website Points: 7

The New York University Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development offers a Master of Arts in Art Therapy. It integrates psychotherapy and visual arts for clinical assessment and treatment. Graduates become competent entry-level art therapists in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavior) learning domains. Coursework includes: 

• Art for Art Therapists; Theory and Practice of Art Therapy 
• Cultural Diversity in Art Therapy; Ethical Issues in Art Therapy 
• Art Therapy with Children; Internship in Art Therapy 
• Adaptive Techniques in Art Therapy 

The program blends scholarly research and evidence-based clinical practice to help people achieve emotional wellbeing. 

Fast facts:

• Offered through: Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development 
• Format: On-campus
• Accreditation: Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs; Middle States Commission on Higher Education
• Tuition per credit: $1,867

#19 School of the Art Institute of Chicago 

Chicago, il.

MA in Mental Health Counseling-Art Therapy 

Visit Website Points: 8

School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC) offers a Master of Arts in Art Therapy and Counseling. It helps students explore the relationship between life experiences and artmaking. The department integrates learning in studio art, art therapy, and counseling with hands-on clinical experience. Coursework includes: 

• Research in Art Therapy; Art Therapy Fieldwork
• Ethical and Legal Issues in Art Therapy
• Cultural Dimensions in Art Therapy  
• Creative Process as Art Therapy        
• Explorations in Community-Based Art Practices       
• Introduction to Art Therapy; Ritual and Art Making in Healing        

The program prepares graduates for a career helping people gain or recover intellectual and emotional clarity, equilibrium, and power through artistic expression.

• Accreditation: NASAD; Higher Learning Commission
• Tuition per credit: $1798

#18 School of Visual Arts 

MPS Art Therapy

The School of Visual Arts offers a Master of Professional Studies degree in Art Therapy. The interdisciplinary program integrates academic theory and clinical application with the experiential components of art therapy practice. Coursework includes: 

• Theoretical Foundations of Art Therapy; Child Art Development
• Adolescent Art Development; Methods and Materials in Art Therapy
• Adult Art Development; Art Assessment and Diagnosis
• Cultural and Social Issues in Art Therapy; Family Art Therapy
• Community Access Through the Arts

Students learn to adapt the creative process to the specific therapeutic needs of individuals and groups. They take into consideration how socio-political and cultural issues impact treatment. 

• Offered through: MPS Department
• Format: On-campus/Part-time
• Accreditation: AATA; National Association of Schools of Art and Design
• Tuition per semester: $25,200

#17 Adler University 

Visit Website Points: 9

Adler University offers a Master of Arts (M.A.) in Counseling: Art Therapy program. Students gain the knowledge and skills to help people through art and create real change in their lives. The innovative program allows graduates to be eligible to apply for several licensures and credentials. Coursework includes: 

• Basic Skills for Psychotherapy and the Use of Art Therapy
• Research Methods in Art Therapy, Counseling and Psychotherapy
• Use of Art Therapy in Group Psychotherapy and Psychopathology
• Life Span Development in Art Therapy, Counseling & Psychotherapy
• Studio Art in Therapy, Counseling and Psychotherapy

Students become socially responsible counselors who use the creative process to improve individuals’ physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing. 

• Format: On-campus/Online
• Accreditation: AATA; Higher Learning Commission
• Tuition per credit: $1,342

#16 Drexel University

Philadelphia, pa.

Art Therapy and Counseling MA

Drexel University offers a Master of Arts in Art Therapy and Counseling. It provides students with extensive exposure to current psychological, developmental, psychotherapy, and art therapy theory and practice. They are equipped with the skills and knowledge to apply art therapy theory in various treatment situations. Coursework includes:

• Group dynamics in art therapy
• Studio art for art therapists
• Media, materials and processes
• Social and cultural foundations in art therapy
• Symbolism, creativity and metaphor in art therapy
• Professional identity for art therapists

Students learn to combine art therapy theory and practice with psychotherapeutic techniques. The program is designed to meet the Pennsylvania Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) educational requirements. 

• 90-quarter-credits 
• Offered through: College of Nursing and Health Professions 
• Accreditation: AATA; Middle States Commission on Higher Education

#15 Springfield College 

Springfield, ma.

Art Therapy/Counseling MS

Springfield College offers a MASTER OF SCIENCE in Art Therapy/Counseling. It provides clinical training and practice, studio art, and a completed research project. The final art exhibit is related to a student’s clinical experience. Coursework includes:

• Art Therapy/Counseling with Children and Adolescents
• Art Therapy and Psychological Assessment Techniques
• Ethical Issues in Art Therapy / Counseling 
• Family Therapy in Counseling/Art Therapy 
• Art Therapy/Counseling and Substance Use Disorders 
• Group Counseling Techniques and Group Art Therapy 
• Multicultural Issues in Art Therapy / Counseling 
• Counseling and Art Therapy: Theory and Practice 

The program trains students through a course of study that blends theory, technique, and practice. 

• Offered through: Department of Visual and Performing Arts
• Accreditation: CAAHEP; New England Commission of Higher Education
• Tuition per credit: $1,105 

#14 Eastern Virginia Medical School

Norfolk, va.

Art Therapy & Counseling, MS

Visit Website Points: 10

Eastern Virginia Medical School offers a Master of Science in Art Therapy and Counseling. Students engage with the elements of art therapy practice and the research that leads to improved care. Coursework includes: 

• Processes & Materials of Art Psychotherapy; Introduction of the History & Theory of Art Therapy 
• Advanced Counseling & Art Psychotherapy Skills; Processes & Materials of Art Psychotherapy
• Group Supervision Counseling & Psychotherapy with Children; Group Supervision Counseling & Psychotherapy with Adolescents 
•  Group Supervision Counseling & Psychotherapy with Adults; Trauma-Informed Art Psychotherapy & Counseling 

The program focuses on collaborative and experiential learning. Students become culturally responsive and creative artist-therapists.

• 61.5 credits
• Offered through: School of Health Professions 
• Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
• Tuition per year: $29,547

#13 Lesley University 

Cambridge, ma.

MA, Clinical Mental Health Counseling: Art Therapy

Lesley University offers a Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling: Art Therapy. It trains students for careers in mental health counseling and art therapy. They learn to address the changing needs of human beings across the lifespan as they begin to understand how science underlies human behavior. Coursework includes: 

• Theories in Art Therapy; Group Counseling: Art Therapy
• Art Therapy Assessment; Art Therapy Studio
• Principles and Practices of Expressive Arts Therapy
• Orientation to Expressive Therapies; Human Development Across the Lifespan
• Professional Counseling Orientation and Ethical Practice
• Examining Power Privilege & Oppression in Clinical Practice

Students learn to infuse the science of counseling with creativity and compassion to help others. 

• Offered through: Graduate School of Arts and Social Sciences
• Format: On-campus/Hybrid ( low residency) 
• Accreditation: New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE)
• Tuition per credit: $900

#12 Mount Mary University

Milwaukee, wi .

Art Therapy MS

Visit Website Points: 11

Featured Programs

Mount Mary University offers a Master of Science in Art Therapy. It is designed to integrate artistic inquiry with art therapy and counseling theories and techniques. The program provides a rigorous curriculum and a supportive learning environment that helps students to become effective artist-therapists. Coursework includes: 

• Theories of Counsel. & Art Therapy; Psychopathology
• Techniques of Practice in Helping Relationships
• Family Systems; Clinical Treatment & Evaluation
• Issues in Clinical Mental Health; Trauma Counseling

The program provides in-depth experiential learning opportunities grounded in the arts and the creative process’s healing power. 

• Offered through: School of Natural and Health Sciences and Education
• Tuition per credit: $870

#11 Notre Dame de Namur University

Belmont, ca.

Notre Dame de Namur University offers a Master of Arts in Art Therapy. Graduates work with a diverse group of individuals across the lifespan. They practice in various settings, including schools, mental health organizations, inpatient and outpatient programs, hospitals, community centers, nursing homes, and more. Coursework includes: 

• History and Foundations of Art Therapy 1
• Art Therapy Techniques: Group Experience
• Art Therapy Techniques: Special 1 Populations 
• Art Therapy Techniques: Integrating 1 Creative Arts 
• Metaphors in Psychopathology: Children 
• Metaphors in Psychopathology: 1 Adolescents 
• Metaphors in Psychopathology: Adults 

The Art Therapy Psychology Department attracts talent globally and from across the nation. Almost 30% of students come from outside the state of California. 

• Offered through: School of Education and Psychology 
• Accreditation: WASC Senior College and University Commission
• Tuition per credit: $850

#10 Seton Hill University

Greensburg, pa .

M.A. in Art Therapy-Counseling 

Seton Hill University offers a Master of Arts in Art Therapy with a Specialization in Counseling Program. The program is both clinical and art-based, leading to reflective, transformative, and collaborative learning. Coursework includes: 

• Art Therapy: Theory & Practice; Art Therapy with Children
• Art Therapy with Groups; Art Therapy Studio
• Trauma Theory & Practice (Art Therapy); Art Therapy with Adults
•  Issues in AT Practice (Art Therapy); Multicultural Therapy (Art Therapy) 
• Couples and Family Systems (Art Therapy) 

Students get balanced training in clinical mental health care, community supports and art-based ways of helping people. 

• Offered through: School of Visual & Performing Arts
• Format: On-campus/Evenings
• Tuition per credit: $811

#9 Emporia State University

Emporia, ks.

Art Therapy Counseling MS

Visit Website Points: 12

Emporia State University offers a Master of Science in Art Therapy Counseling. It combines clinical practice, theory, research skills, fine arts training to train students to become effective art therapists. The low student-to-faculty ratio ensures that each student gets quality individual attention and training to meet the increasingly diverse student body’s needs. Coursework includes: 

• Art Media & Materials Use in Art Therapy; Art Therapy Foundations
• Art Therapy Group Dynamics & Special Populations
•  Developmental Treatment Models in Art Therapy 
• Art Therapy Advanced Assessment & Techniques in Relationships & Families 
• Introduction to Art Therapy Research 

Students use art media, images and the creative art process to help people lead better lives. 

• Offered through: Department of Counselor Education
• Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission
• Tuition per year: $21,931

#8 Notre Dame of Maryland University

Baltimore, md.

Art Therapy MA

Notre Dame of Maryland University offers a Master of Arts in Art Therapy.  The program blends advanced courses blending counseling and therapeutic techniques to help graduates become professional art therapists. Coursework includes: 

• Hist & Theory of Art; Art Therapy/Counseling
• Psychopath: Art & Dx; Process: Art & Counseling
• Art Psychotx & Trauma; Marital & Family Art
• Art for Social Justice; Human Development
• Child & Adolescent

Students learn to use the theory and methodology of art therapy as a unique psychotherapeutic practice, along with mixed media studio practices, ceramics, and photography.

• Offered through: School of Arts, Sciences & Business
• Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education
• Tuition per credit: $675

#7 University of Indianapolis 

Indianapolis, in.

Visit Website Points: 13

The University of Indianapolis offers a Master of Arts in Mental Health Counseling – Art Therapy concentration. It trains students to use the creative process of art-making to improve and enhance individuals’ physical, mental, and emotional well-being. Coursework includes: 

• Professional Counseling Orientation and Ethics AT
• History, Theory, Practice AT; Advanced Group Work for AT  
• Neuropsychology & Bio Bases of Behavior
• Contextual Dimensions & Foundations of MHC        
• Child, Adolescent, and Family AT; Art-based Assessment in Counseling
• Cultural Diversity and Art Therapy; Theory-Based AT Interventions

The program is designed to allow students to pursue licensure as a mental health counselor and register as art therapists.

• Offered through: College of Applied Behavioral Sciences
• Accreditation: MPCAC; Higher Learning Commission
• Tuition per credit: $650

#6 Ottawa University

MA in Counseling-Expressive Arts Therapy  

Ottawa University offers a Master of Arts in Counseling: Expressive Arts Therapy Concentration degree. Students develop clinical skills with therapeutic art to efficiently and effectively work with various populations and age ranges. The interdisciplinary, arts-based approach to counseling and psychotherapy is a great way to help people gain emotional wellbeing. Concentrations options include: 

• Expressive Arts Therapy
• Gerocounseling
• Treatment of Trauma, Abuse and Deprivation

The program blends counseling foundation coursework with art applications and approaches. Students learn the principles and techniques for clinical practice of expressive art therapy in residential, outpatient, and private practice settings. 

• 60-63 credits
• Offered through: School of Arts and Sciences 
• Tuition per credit: $635

#5 Southwestern College & New Earth Institute

Santa fe, nm.

MA in Art Therapy/Counseling

Southwestern College & New Earth Institute offers a Master’s program in Art Therapy/Counseling. It emphasizes the visual arts as a therapeutic approach in clinical, community, educational, and rehabilitation settings. Coursework includes: 

• History of Art Therapy: Founders & Foundations     
• Hermeneutics of Depth Psychology; Art Therapy Techniques
• Studio Art; Theories of Art Therapy
• Assessment & Appraisal in Art Therapy/Counseling 
• Professional Ethics in Art Therapy/Counseling
• Addiction Assessment and Treatment in Art Therapy/Counseling   
• Theory and Practice of Family Art Therapy/Counseling

Students engage in self-reflective creativity through artistic processes and engaging in solid clinical training throughout the entire program.

• Tuition per quarter unit: $590

#4 Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College

St mary-of-the-woods, in .

Visit Website Points: 14

Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College offers a Master of Arts in Art Therapy with an Emphasis in Counseling. The program blends counseling with spirituality and creativity to help make a difference in people’s lives. The coursework includes: 

• History and Theory of Art Therapy/Counseling; Evaluation and Critical Thinking in Art Therapy
• Art Therapy and Drawing Assessments; Social and Cultural Issues in Art Therapy and Counseling
• Foundations of Art Therapy and Mental Health Counseling; Art Therapy and Counseling through Lifespan Development
• Group Dynamics in Art Therapy and Counseling

The program prepares students to become responsible and ethical art therapists engaged in holistic healing.

• Offered through: Department of Graduate Studies
• Format: On-campus/Hybrid
• Accreditation: Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs; Higher Learning Commission
• Tuition per credit: $496

#3 Florida State University

Tallahassee, fl.

MS in Art Therapy

Florida State University offers a Master of Science in Art Therapy. It prepares students for entry-level careers as art therapists in the cognitive, psychomotor, and behavior learning domains. The program integrates diverse theories with research-informed practices.  Students learn to apply the power of the visual arts and therapeutic relationships to promote wellness. Coursework includes:

• Intro to Counseling for Art Therapists; Human Development in Art Therapy
• Theories of Art Therapy; Art Therapy & Group Counseling
• Neuroscience and Art Therapy; Therapeutic Use of Art Materials
• Career Development and Art Therapy; Interpreting and Using Symbols in Art Therapy

The program emphasizes theoretical foundations of art therapy techniques and applications and thorough practicum experiences working within community and clinical settings. 

• Offered through: College of Fine Arts
• Accreditation: CAAHEP; Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
• Tuition per credit: $479.32

#2 Southern Illinois University Edwardsville

Edwardsville, il.

Art Therapy Counseling MA

Visit Website Points: 15

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville offers a Master of Arts in Art Therapy Counseling. It provides experiential learning to foster creative practices in the application of art therapy counseling. The program combines classroom instruction, practicum experience, and research. Coursework includes: 

• Counseling Techniques in Art Therapy; Art Therapy with Groups
• Advanced Art Therapy Counseling: Diagnosis and Techniques with Children and Adolescents
• Advanced Art Therapy Counseling: Diagnosis and Techniques with Adults
• Family Art Therapy; Developmental Theory and Art Therapy
• Multicultural Issues in Art Therapy; Research Methodology in Art Therapy
• Counseling Theory and Art Therapy

Graduates become competent, entry-level art therapists in the cognitive, psychomotor and behavior learning domains.

• 60 semester hours
• Offered through: Department of Art and Design
• Accreditation: CAAHEP; Higher Learning Commission
• Tuition per 3 credits: $1,019

#1 Georgia College & State University 

Milledgeville, ga.

Art Therapy M.A.

Visit Website Points: 16

Georgia College offers a Master of Arts in Art Therapy. The innovative program provides comprehensive art therapy education to aspiring clinicians, therapists, and teachers. Students get the transformative skills and knowledge to work in a variety of settings. Coursework includes: 

• Hist & Theory of Art Therapy; Art Therapy & Couns Practicum
• Cultural and Social Diversity; Art Therapy & Couns w/Children
• Art Therapy & Coun Adolescents; Art Therapy & Coun Adults
• Symbolism & Metaphor in AT

Electives include:

• Spec: Trauma and Art Therapy          
• Family Couns & Art Therapy

The coursework and clinical experience help develop art therapy clinicians who are involved in diverse communities. 

• Offered through: College of Health Sciences 
• Accreditation: AATA; Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges 
• Tuition per credit: $294

U.S. News & World Report  Niche.com

Clinical Mental Health Counseling MA

Transpersonal Contemplative Art–Based Counseling Concentration

Naropa’s Transpersonal Contemplative Art–Based Counseling integrates transpersonal theory with a clinical approach to counseling. This concentration of our Clinical Mental Health Counseling graduate degree program helps you—and your future clients— find healing through the transformative power of art. 

About this Concentration

The foundation of this concentration program is mindfulness meditation training, studio art, community-based service, and integration of transpersonal theory with clinical approaches to counseling.

Our clinically focused Transpersonal Contemplative Art–Based Counseling program exists to prepare art-based counselors in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavior) learning domains.

This program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs  (CAAHEP) upon the recommendation of The Accreditation Council for Art Therapy Education. 

Community Engagement

Naropa’s CMHC concentration program in Art-Based Counseling is dedicated to developing socially engaged creative arts counselors. Students engage with the community through practicum and internship , offering art-based counseling services in a variety of clinical settings. The Naropa Community Art Studio (NCAS) teaches students how to design, create, and finance a community studio space to serve diverse groups of people. 

Social Justice Focus

Being a counselor requires awareness of one’s own social context, and the social context of those we serve. Naropa’s Transpersonal Contemplative Art–Based Counseling master’s program requires counselors-in-training to take courses with a social justice and multicultural approach.

• Expert Faculty

Naropa’s award-winning Transpersonal Contemplative Art–Based Counseling faculty are published authors, accomplished artists, and community innovators with extensive clinical experience.

Quick Facts

• On-Campus Degree
• Accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs
• 67.5 Credit Hours
• 3 Years of Studio Art & Clinical Experience
• 750–1,000 Supervised Clinical Hours
• Now Accepting Applications for August 2025

Program Format

The Clinical Mental Health Counseling: Transpersonal Contemplative Art–Based Counseling Concentration is a 3-year on-campus degree.

It consists of specific art-based counseling coursework combined with counseling and contemplative studies training to prepare competent entry-level counselors holistically.

Throughout the program, students also participate in 190 direct art contact hours of studio-based work. The program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs upon the recommendation of The Accreditation Council for Art Therapy Education. 

Course Spotlight

Studio i: inquiry, process & materials, degree requirements.

The Transpersonal Contemplative Art–Based Counseling Concentration is a 67.5-credit program. Besides completing regular coursework, students are required to complete a Counseling Practicum during their second year, to develop their counseling skills through fieldwork at a community agency with on-site supervision. During their third year, students will complete a 700-hour clinical field placement with on-site supervision.

Counseling Experiential Requirement:

Each student must participate in a counseling/therapy relationship with a qualified psychotherapist of their choice. A minimum of fifteen 50-minute face-to-face sessions (via telehealth or in person) within the first two years of the program is required. (The term  “psychotherapist”  is used to be inclusive of licensed providers from a variety of professional mental health backgrounds. The Student Guidebook outlines specific parameters of a qualified psychotherapist.)

Course Schedule

Fall year 1 (11 credits).

• CMHC 600, Foundations and Orientation of Clinical Mental Health Counseling (3)
• CNSA 600, Orientation Seminar (0)
• CNSA 604, Foundations of Transpersonal Art Therapy in Counseling (3)
• CNST 622, Foundations of Mindfulness (2)
• CNSA 634, History and Theory of Art Therapy (3)

Spring Year 1 (12.5 credits)

• CMHC 603, Counseling and Helping Relationships I (3)
• CMHC 601, Social/Multicultural Foundations (3)
• CNSA 664, Civic Engagement Studio Practicum (0.5)
• CMHC 606, Legal and Ethical Aspects of Counseling (3)

Choose One of the following:

• CNST 670, Transpersonal Counseling (3)
• CNST 673, Jungian Approaches in Counseling (3)

Fall Year 2 (11 credits)

• CMHC 604, Counseling and Helping Relationships II (3)
• CMHC 602, Human Growth and Development (3)
• CMHC 605, Group Counseling (3)
• CNSA 755, Art-based Counseling with Adult Populations (2)

Spring Year 2 (11 credits)

• CMHC 607, Diagnosis and Treatment Planning (3)
• CMHC 620, Counseling Practicum (3)
• CNSA 624, Studio I: Inquiry, Process & Materials (2)
• CNSA 734, Art-based Counseling with Children & Adolescents (3)

Summer Year 2 (8 credits)

• CMHC 621, Initial Internship (2)
• CMHC 609, Research & Program Evaluation (3)
• CMHC 608, Assessment (3)

Fall Year 3 (7 credits)

• CMHC 615, Capstone I (1)
• CMHC 622, Internship I (3)
• CMHC 610, Career Development (3)

Winter Intersession Year 3 (0 credits)

• CMHC 623, Winter Intercession Internship (0)

Spring Year 3 (7 credits)

• CMHC 624, Internship II (3)
• CMHC 616, Capstone II (1)
• CNSA 834, Studio II: Inquiry, Process & Materials (1)
• CNST 721, Cultivating Mindful Presence (2) 

Why Choose Naropa?

Caahep accreditation.

Naropa’s Art-Based Counseling program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) upon the recommendation of The Accreditation Council for Art Therapy Education.

Agency Network

Naropa has an extensive network of human service agencies where students can carry out their practicum and field placements. In addition to acquiring real work experience and developing their skills, students can connect with professionals and institutions in the field.

Licensure Support

Naropa provides Credentialing and Licensure support to students who want to obtain licensure or credentialing to practice Clinical Mental Health Counseling, even post-graduation.

How this Program Prepares You

Real-life professional experience, transdisciplinary approach & skill set, comprehensive & multifaceted program, learning outcomes, students will demonstrate an ability to utilize subjective investigation with objective research methods., students will demonstrate applied art therapy and counseling knowledge as it pertains to case conceptualization skills., students will demonstrate applied knowledge of diversity awareness and social engagement within art therapy and counseling practice., students will demonstrate the clinical application of a transpersonal approach to art therapy., career opportunities for transpersonal contemplative art–based counselors.

Alumni of this concentration program become art-based counselors and mental health clinicians who treat the whole person through a transpersonal, social justice lens. Build a fulfilling career that weaves your passion for studio art with your desire to help others.

Career opportunities for Transpersonal Contemplative Art-based Counseling graduates include: 

• Mental Health Counselor: offer therapy services to improve well-being.
• Substance Abuse and Behavioral Disorder Counselors: aid patients in their recovery.
• Social and Human Service Assistant: aid people and communities in need.
• Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers: support people in your community.

Discover Career Pathways for Transpersonal Contemplative Art–Based Counselors

Hear from a graduate, elise colley, faqs about the transpersonal contemplative art–based counseling concentration, what is transpersonal contemplative art–based counseling.

Transpersonal Contemplative Art–Based Counseling has emerged from researched disciplines integrating established models of psychology with valuable understanding from spiritual disciplines and wisdom traditions, using art as a means to express feelings, emotions and thoughts. This transdisciplinary assimilation offers a comprehensive psychology model. The foundation of this concentration program is mindfulness meditation training, studio art, community-based service, and integration of transpersonal theory with clinical approaches to counseling. The program is a concentration of our Clinical Mental Health Counseling MA Degree.

Is this concentration available online?

This concentration is not available online; however, the Mindfulness-Based Transpersonal Counseling concentration has a low-residency option. In addition, Naropa offers an online BA program in Art Therapy . 

What are the benefits of Transpersonal Contemplative Art–Based Counseling?

Transpersonal Contemplative Art–Based Counseling benefits both individuals and communities. The benefits include self-reflection and self-awareness, improvement of self-esteem, confidence, interpersonal skills, and creativity. This type of counseling also enhances the connection between body and mind and helps clients develop healthy coping mechanisms and better interpersonal skills, among other things. It also reduces stress, anxiety, depression, and fatigue. It has a positive effect on both mental and physical health.

What is specific to the Transpersonal Contemplative Art–Based Counseling program?

Transpersonal Contemplative Art–Based Counseling draws on a discipline with a well-documented history. It refers to a distinct approach that incorporates transpersonal psychology—an evolving, researched discipline that integrates established models of psychology with valuable understanding from spiritual disciplines and wisdom traditions—with the use of art and image to support the healing process. The term transpersonal encompasses a broad spectrum of practices that connect artistic self-expression with healing.

Learn more about transpersonal contemplative art-based counseling in our suggested reading list for this concentration.

What skills do you need to become a Transpersonal Contemplative Art–Based Counselor?

Why is the program no longer called transpersonal art therapy.

This name change reflects our continued commitment to Naropa’s contemplative foundations, an ongoing engagement with the transformative power of art and image, and alignment with a core counseling focus, grounding our students with relevant, contemporary skills to creatively support the multiplicity of mental health needs in today’s world. Read more about the name change and redesigned curriculum .

Learn More About the Program

Connect with your counselor

Olivia phipps.

Graduate Admissions Counselor

• [email protected]
• Attend An Info Session

Ready to Apply?

Admission requirements.

As an institution founded on the values of academic excellence and contemplative practice, Naropa University values both academic performance and the willingness to carry out introspective work.

Learn more about admission requirements and the application process for this concentration. 

Graduate Students

To apply to the Transpersonal Contemplative Art-based Counseling concentration program, students must fulfill prerequisite work requirements in both Studio Art and Psychology.

Applications are submitted online, and applicants must provide a transcript of all undergraduate coursework, a copy of their art portfolio, a statement of interest, a resume, and two letters of interest as part of their online application. They may also apply for financial aid at this stage. If an applicant meets the qualifying criteria, they will be contacted for an interview day.

Learn more about admission requirements. 

International Students

Naropa welcomes international students! On top of regular admission requirements, we ask that students with undergraduate degrees from foreign universities provide some additional documentation. Discover admission requirements for international students. 

Costs and Financial Aid

Graduate scholarship opportunities.

Scholarships are a great way to help with the costs of going to school. Naropa University offers an array of scholarship opportunities to graduate students. Students may be eligible to receive scholarships through their admissions application, by applying for scholarships, or by being nominated for a scholarship. For more detailed information about the different scholarships available and how to receive them, please review our graduate scholarship page.

Interested in Transpersonal Contemplative Art–Based Counseling?

Read our blog or listen to our podcast, heartfire festival returns to naropa university, student highlight: elise colley on transpersonal contemplative art–based counseling, episode 67. sue wallingford: generational wounds & art therapy, episode 101. jen berlingo: midlife emergence, student support and resources, academic support, online student support, career services, financial aid, accessibility, other clinical mental health counseling concentrations, somatic counseling, somatic counseling: dance/movement theories & practice, nature-based transpersonal counseling, mindfulness-based transpersonal counseling, buddhism-informed contemplative counseling, request information, plan a visit, about naropa, events & community, user information, support naropa.

2130 Arapahoe Avenue Boulder, CO 80302

1-800-772-6951

[email protected]

Worried about a Student?

© 2024 naropa university. all rights reserved., you are ready..

This is where experiential learning meets academic rigor. Where you challenge your intellect and uncover your potential. Where you discover the work you’re moved to do—then use it to transform our world.

“*” indicates required fields

• Request Info
• Visit Campus
• COVID-19 Updates

Search Naropa University

Naropa campuses closed on friday, march 15, 2024.

Due to adverse weather conditions, all Naropa campuses will be closed Friday, March 15, 2024.  All classes that require a physical presence on campus will be canceled. All online and low-residency programs are to meet as scheduled.

Based on the current weather forecast, the Healing with the Ancestors Talk & Breeze of Simplicity program scheduled for Friday evening, Saturday, and Sunday will be held as planned.

Staff that do not work remotely or are scheduled to work on campus, can work remotely. Staff that routinely work remotely are expected to continue to do so.

As a reminder, notifications will be sent by e-mail and the LiveSafe app.  

Regardless of Naropa University’s decision, if you ever believe the weather conditions are unsafe, please contact your supervisor and professors.  Naropa University trusts you to make thoughtful and wise decisions based on the conditions and situation in which you find yourself in.

Login or sign up

Get Started

• College Search
• College Search Map
• Graduate Programs
• Featured Colleges
• Scholarship Search
• Lists & Rankings
• User Resources

Articles & Advice

• All Categories
• Ask the Experts
• Campus Visits
• Catholic Colleges and Universities
• Christian Colleges and Universities
• College Admission
• College Athletics
• College Diversity
• Counselors and Consultants
• Education and Teaching
• Financial Aid
• Graduate School
• Health and Medicine
• International Students
• Internships and Careers
• Majors and Academics
• Performing and Visual Arts
• Public Colleges and Universities
• Science and Engineering
• Student Life
• Transfer Students
• Why CollegeXpress
• CollegeXpress Store
• Corporate Website
• Terms of Use
• Privacy Policy
• CA and EU Privacy Policy

Articles & Advice > Performing and Visual Arts > Articles

Dance and Art Therapy

Recreational therapy, including specialties in dance and art, may be the ideal way to combine a love of dance, art, or music with the desire to make a difference in the lives of others.

by CollegeXpress

Last Updated: Mar 16, 2023

Originally Posted: Jul 30, 2011

Therapy rooted in art and self-expression provides an outlet for communication that can be helpful to those who find it difficult to express themselves in words. Successful music, dance, and art therapists possess a number of special aptitudes to facilitate that process. Recreational therapists must also be sensitive, patient, emotionally stable, and able to work well with different kinds of people.

Therapists are employed in a wide variety of settings, including hospitals and clinics, psychiatric and rehabilitation facilities, nursing homes, correctional facilities, crisis centers, and others. They also work with all age groups and demographics.

After assessing the needs of each client, the therapist designs a plan and provides the indicated treatment. In music therapy, this includes creating, singing, moving to, and/or listening to music to strengthen cognitive abilities, alleviate pain, and improve self-esteem, among other things.  

Dance therapy involves using movement to help people deal with physical, emotional, or social problems. Therapists help people integrate their emotional and physical needs to relieve stress, build confidence, and overcome emotional problems.

Art therapists use art media, images, and the creative process to help people cope with illness or other challenges. The art therapist’s job might include helping people deal with emotional conflicts, develop social skills and self-awareness, and reduce anxiety through the use of creative exercises and assessments.

The education of recreational therapists is unique among college multidisciplinary programs because it allows a thorough study of art, dance, or music, along with behavioral sciences. Combined, these two areas of study allow students to understand where patients are coming from. Most students start by gaining significant experience in the discipline while also earning their undergraduate degree. Entry-level recreational therapists need a bachelor’s degree in therapeutic recreation or in recreation with a concentration in therapeutic recreation.

With music therapy, the curriculum is designed to build entry-level skills in several areas, including musical and clinical foundations, and the principles of psychology. After completing academic and clinical requirements, prospective music therapists must also pass the exam offered by the Certification Board for Music Therapists.

Dance and art therapists can become certified through the American Dance Therapy Association or the American Art Therapy Association, after completing enough hours of supervised clinical experience. Students may also be able to combine master’s-level study in dance or movement therapy with course work in a related field like counseling or social work.

Most practicing therapists hold a master’s degree in music, dance, or art therapy. Lists of accredited graduate programs can be found through the professional organizations listed at the end of this article. 

Job growth is excellent; the need for recreational therapists is expected to increase 15% by 2018, faster than the average for all occupations because of the needs of an aging population. Regarding music therapy, there are currently more jobs available than there are therapists to fill them. The demand for experienced, qualified dance and art therapists is also growing. About 24% work in nursing care facilities, while other primary places of employment include residential care facilities, hospitals, and government agencies.

The median wage for general recreational therapists is about $42,280, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

You can learn more through the following organizations: American Art Therapy Association, www.arttherapy.org ; American Dance Therapy Association, www.adta.org ; American Music Therapy Association, www.musictherapy.org .

Like what you’re reading?

Join the CollegeXpress community! Create a free account and we’ll notify you about new articles, scholarship deadlines, and more.

Tags: admission arts career search dance finding a career job search performing & visual arts

Join our community of over 5 million students!

CollegeXpress has everything you need to simplify your college search, get connected to schools, and find your perfect fit.

College Quick Connect

Swipe right to request information. Swipe left if you're not interested.

Marymount Manhattan College

New York, NY

Boston Conservatory at Berklee

Dean College

Franklin, MA

New York University

Baldwin Wallace University

Samford University

Birmingham, AL

Emerson College

University of Colorado Boulder

Boulder, CO

Millikin University

Decatur, IL

New York University—Abu Dhabi Campus

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

Miami University

Dallas Baptist University

Thiel College

Greenville, PA

University of Idaho

Ohio University

Pace University

The Catholic University of America

Washington, DC

College of the Holy Cross

Worcester, MA

Vermont State University

Randolph Center, VT

Moody Bible Institute

Chicago, IL

High Point University

High Point, NC

Cleveland State University

Cleveland, OH

New York University—Shanghai Campus

Shanghai, China

University of Cincinnati

Cincinnati, OH

William Paterson University of New Jersey

That's it for now!

High School Class of 2021

CollegeXpress really helped me by letting me know the colleges ratings and placements. They gave me accurate information on my colleges tuition rates and acceptance. They even let me know the ration between students and faculty and the diversity of the college. Overall they told me everything I needed and things I didnt even think I needed to know about my college and other colleges I applied for.

Hannah Nelsen

High School Class of 2022

CollegeXpress has helped me look at colleges that fit my interests by taking my profile and matching it to colleges that have the programs I'm looking for. It has the ability to connect me to colleges so I can be contacted by them and look at them more in-depth to find what's right for me. Additionally, the scholarship database is super beneficial for getting scholarships for college. Not only does it help lift the financial burden of college but it shows all the opportunities available. Overall, CollegeXpress has been very helpful to me.

Sarah Armstrong

I am a deaf student, and I had always dreamed of going to Gallaudet University. CollegeXpress helped me search though other qualified universities. They helped me know for sure that Gallaudet University was the right choice for me!

Sadie Hartmann

I'm a senior in high school, and CollegeXpress has helped me in so many ways this year in trying to navigate the process of deciding and committing to a university. The COVID-19 Student Resource Center has helped me many times with the most up-to-date and accurate information, along with financial aid and student life [advice]. During these uncertain times, CollegeXpress has been a great recourse to relieve the stress as a senior. Along with the COVID-19 Student Resource Center, I'm constantly using the extremely helpful tools off the site to aid me during this stressful process. Tools like the lists and rankings of universities have been the most beneficial. I've also used the site to receive expert advice on topics like financial aid. Finally, CollegeXpress has helped me easily apply for several scholarships. I'm thankful to be given the chance to win a scholarship to lessen the burden of my college debt.

Nazira Abdelkhalek

$2,000 Community Service Scholarship Winner, 2014

I am very honored to be this year’s recipient of the Multicultural Student Community Service Scholarship! This scholarship is vital to helping me achieve and fulfill my dreams, and gives me confidence and motivation as I begin my college career. The CollegeXpress website has been invaluable over the past year as I planned my educational and professional goals. I highly recommend it to all students as they begin to focus on their college and career interests. The website is a wonderful guide to schools and scholarships.

•   What Can You Do With an Arts Major?
•   Out of the Spotlight: All About Behind the Scenes Majors and Careers in Theater
•   Unique Careers for Visual Arts Students
•   Getting Your Graphic Design Degree
•   Music Therapy

Personalize your experience on CollegeXpress.

With this information, we'll display content relevant to your interests. By subscribing, you agree to receive CollegeXpress emails and to make your information available to colleges, scholarship programs, and other companies that have relevant/related offers.

Already have an account?

Log in to be directly connected to

Not a CollegeXpress user?

Don't want to register.

Provide your information below to connect with

Physical Therapy, D.P.T.

Program snapshot.

100 Credits

Program Resources

• Semester Map

Admission Requirements

• Tuition & Financial Aid

Related Links

• School of Health Professions 
• Department of Physical Therapy
• Information Sessions
• Long Island, NY

A technology-infused curriculum and hands-on clinical training prepare you for today’s rapidly changing healthcare environment. Use simulations, contemporary assessment tools, and transformative research to excel in local and global healthcare delivery.

Why Earn a Doctor of Physical Therapy at New York Tech?

Physical Therapy is a health profession that promotes optimal human health and function through the application of scientific principles to prevent, identify, assess, correct, or alleviate acute or prolonged movement dysfunctions. Physical therapy encompasses areas of specialized competence and includes the development of new principles and applications to more effectively meet current and emerging health needs. 

Our Doctor of Physical Therapy program gives you the clinical and critical thinking skills you’ll need to care holistically for your patients as individuals. You’ll learn from experienced D.P.T. faculty, the majority of whom are board-certified clinical specialists in the areas of orthopedic, sports, neurological, geriatric, and pediatric patient care, who bring the latest contemporary practice principles to your classroom. You’ll also work side-by-side on professional research, including opportunities to co-author articles in peer-reviewed publications and/or present your findings at national and international conferences. 

Upon graduation, we also offer a postgraduate Orthopedic Residency Program , which allows you to hone your skills in an intense one-year training program. 

Request Information

Learn where a Physical Therapy, D.P.T. from New York Tech can take you. Complete the form to start the conversation.

What You’ll Learn

Classroom lectures in treatment interventions, injury prevention, and more are infused with case-based learning activities, allowing you to work with your peers to problem-solve and develop valuable clinical skills. Gain even more real-world experience through 36 weeks of clinical education.

Customize Your Studies

Work side-by-side with experienced faculty on professional research, including opportunities to study the impact of neurological disorders, injuries, and other conditions.

Facilities and Simulation Spaces

A state-of-the-art 3-D interactive dissection table, high-tech patient simulation center, dedicated teaching and biomedical labs, and other facilities prepare future healthcare professionals for clinical practice.

Clinical Experiences

Your training includes 36 weeks of full-time clinical work, where you’ll serve under the supervision of experienced practitioners as you develop your skills in patient care.

Residency Program

Our post-professional clinical residency program in orthopedic physical therapy further prepares you to become a confident, adaptable, and service-oriented practitioner. Teach orthopedic courses and earn a salary while completing your clinical requirements

Stats & Rankings

Graduation rate for New York Tech D.P.T. candidates in 2018

Three-year employment rate for New York Tech D.P.T. graduates

Three-year ultimate pass rate on the National Physical Therapy Examination

Career & Salary Outlook

With your expert training and passion for restoring physical well-being, you’ll have access to a wealth of opportunities in this thriving area of the allied health field.

Fifteen percent greater demand for physical therapists is projected through 2032 (BLS).

Nearly 14,000 new positions are expected each year.

Employers & Internships

• Montefiore Medical Center
• Northwell Health
• NYC Department of Education
• NYU Winthrop Hospital
• Professional Physical Therapy
• U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

Career Options

• Home Health/Hospice Care
• Outpatient Clinics
• Professional Sports Teams
• Rehabilitation Facilities
• Research Centers
• Sports and Fitness Training

Salary Projections

Physical therapists have a median U.S. annual salary of $97,720 (BLS).

Program Details

Learn more about the Physical Therapy, D.P.T. program, including admission requirements, how to apply, and scholarship/funding opportunities.

The Physical Therapy, D.P.T. has specific admissions requirements , including a bachelor’s degree from an accredited university; several minimum academic standards; and technical standards . International students have additional requirements. 

To apply, please submit the following: 

• Your application through the Physical Therapy Centralized Application Service (PTCAS)   
• Proof of hours of volunteer or paid experience under the direct supervision of a physical therapist 
• An essay detailing your desire to pursue physical therapy as a career 
• Two professional letters of recommendation 
• Copies of undergraduate transcripts for all schools attended 
• Copy of college diploma or proof of degree 

Scholarships and Aid 

Explore opportunities to offset program costs, including New York Tech scholarships, graduate assistantships, and federal financial aid.

Accreditation

The Doctor of Physical Therapy program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE) of the American Physical Therapy Association , the only accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. 

STEM OPT Extension

International F-1 students who successfully complete this degree program are eligible for an additional 24-month STEM OPT extension to work in the U.S. in an area directly related to their area of study immediately upon completing the customary 12-month post-completion Optional Practical Training (OPT) . 

Student Voices

New York Tech has given me the opportunity to really develop and improve upon myself more than I could have ever imagined. It’s really special how there are so many different professors in our program who are all out there to help us succeed and teach us different skills to make us better. Karl Arabian (D.P.T. ’19) Learn More About Karl

Keep Exploring

From 36 weeks of clinical education to the opportunity to participate in research and global healthcare delivery, learn more about the Physical Therapy, D.P.T. at New York Tech.