Creative Arts Therapy Counseling, MA

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Associate Professor Elkis-Abuhoff, Graduate Program Director, 516-463-5755

The Master of Arts degree (MA) in creative arts therapy counseling is designed to provide students with a critical knowledge base comprised of content areas identified by both the American Art Therapy Association and the New York State Education Department. Graduates will be prepared to work effectively in hospitals, agencies, rehabilitation centers, adult facilities, day treatment centers, mental health centers, and schools. Graduates work with individuals who have experienced mental and physical illness, trauma, addictions, changes in living, developmental disabilities, autism, and those who seek personal development. This program is the first step that students take toward achieving New York state creative arts therapy licensure.

This creative arts therapy master’s degree incorporates counseling strategies in core courses and selected electives. Our electives include expressive therapies (drama, dance, movement, play, poetry, music) as well as courses in other related disciplines such as counseling, marriage and family therapy, and special education.

The creative arts therapy counseling program is designed as a theory-based, application-oriented program aimed at building knowledge and skills essential for creative arts therapists. Full-time students with a BA degree can complete this curriculum in two years. Part-time students and non-matriculated students have an individualized plan of study upon advisement. Undergraduate prerequisites may be taken concurrently during the first year of master’s study and must be completed no later than 12 months after the date of admission to the program.

Admission Requirements

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution with a minimum grade point average of 2.75.
Demonstration of competency in art by presenting slides, original artwork, CD presentation.
A personal interview with the program director.
Three letters of recommendation from education and professional sources.
Personal statement.
12 semester hours in psychology, including developmental and abnormal.
A minimum of 18 semester hours in studio art which demonstrates proficiency and disciplined commitment in art making. Art classes should include drawing, painting, and three dimensional art.

Prerequisites do not carry degree credit for this program.

Note: The preferred application deadline for fall semester is August 15 and for spring semester is January 15. All others will be reviewed based on available space.

The department understands that any single criterion may not reliably predict a candidate’s potential for success in a graduate program. Consequently, candidates are welcome to apply if they do not meet one of the criteria but feel that other aspects of their experience may compensate.

Program Advisement

All matriculated students are required to meet with a department faculty adviser and complete a plan of study. Specializations will be discussed at this particular time.

Program Requirements - Total Semester Hours: 60

Core Curriculum - Semester Hours: 51-54

CAT 209 - Clinical Instruction in Media Techniques Semester Hours: 3
CAT 210 - Foundations of Art Therapy Counseling Semester Hours: 3
CAT 211 - Child and Adolescent Development in Art Therapy Counseling Semester Hours: 3
CAT 212 - Group Art Therapy Counseling Semester Hours: 3
CAT 214 - Clinical Methods in Art Therapy Counseling Semester Hours: 3
CAT 215 - Clinical Applications in Art Therapy Counseling Semester Hours: 3
CAT 218 - Internship: Creative Arts Therapy Counseling Semester Hours: 4
CAT 219 - Internship: Creative Arts Therapy Counseling Semester Hours: 4
CAT 221 - Practicum: Clinical Practice in Art Therapy Counseling Semester Hours: 2
CAT 223 - Multicultural Perspectives in Creative Arts Therapy Counseling Semester Hours: 3
CAT 225 - Art Therapy Counseling Throughout Adult Development and Aging Semester Hours: 3
CAT 228 - Ethical Considerations and Clinical Practice in Creative Arts Therapy Counseling Semester Hours: 2
CAT 235 - Creativity in Creative Arts Therapy Counseling Semester Hours: 3
CAT 300 - Research Seminar in Creative Arts Therapy Counseling Semester Hours: 3
or
CAT 301 - Thesis in Creative Arts Therapy Counseling I Semester Hours: 3
and
CAT 302 - Thesis in Creative Arts Therapy Counseling II Semester Hours: 3
COUN 210 - Counseling and Helping Relationships Semester Hours: 3
COUN 261 - Understanding Psychopathology in Counseling Semester Hours: 3
COUN 227 - Counseling for Career and Life Planning Semester Hours: 3
or
REHB 268 - Vocational and Career Development in Counseling Semester Hours: 3

Electives: Semester Hours: 6-9

6-9 semester hours of electives (recommendations below) under advisement. Approved electives are in expressive therapies, creative arts therapies, counseling, play therapy, marriage and family and special education.

CAT 220 - Art Therapy for Adolescents Semester Hours: 3
CAT 226 - The Art Therapist’s Identity in a Clinical Setting Semester Hours: 1.5
CAT 227 - Special Topics in Residential Art Therapy Experience Semester Hours: 1.5
CAT 229 - Exploration of Expressive Arts and Culture in Ireland Semester Hours: 3
CAT 238 - A Systematic Approach to Art Therapy: Working With the Family Semester Hours: 3
CAT 241 - Drama Therapy for the Helping Professional Semester Hours: 3
CAT 242 - Poetry/Bibliotherapy for the Helping Professional Semester Hours: 3
CAT 249 - Therapeutic Art for the Elderly Semester Hours: 1.5
CAT 251 - Readings Semester Hours: 2-3
CAT 252 - Readings Semester Hours: 2-3
CAT 280-289 A-Z - Special Topics Semester Hours: 1-4

Graduation Requirements

Completion of all program requirements.
A minimum grade point average of 3.0 in overall graduate course work.

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