M.A. in Creative Arts Therapy

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Art therapists provide services to individuals who have experienced illness, trauma, challenges in living, and to those who seek personal development. This program has a focus on clinical experience and creativity and prepares students to work effectively in schools, hospitals, agencies and rehabilitation centers. Students with a background in art, psychology, education or another related field should consider the various options.

The 53 credits required for the Masters Degree includes elective courses so that during the program students can study in a related interest area such as gerontology, special education, counseling, marriage and family or expressive therapies. The individualized plan of study is completed with faculty advisement.

This program has been approved by the American Art Therapy Association AATA) and follows their requirements and Hofstra’s standards.

Admission Requirements

Application for admission is made to the Graduate Admissions Office. Candidates must meet the following admission requirements:

A bachelors degree from an accredited institution with a minimum grade point average of 2.75;
12 semester hours of psychology (including general, developmental, abnormal and personality theories);
15 semester hours in studio art with a representation of drawing, painting and three dimensional art;
Three letters of recommendation;
An art portfolio (slides, photographs or original work);
An interview.

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 Requirements - Total Semester Hours: 53

A. Core Curriculum - Semester Hours: 29 to 32

CAT 209 - Art Media in Art Therapy Credits: 3 s.h.
CAT 210 - Foundations of Art Therapy Credits: 3 s.h.
CAT 211 - Developmental Art & the Developing Child Credits: 3 s.h.
CAT 212 - Group Art Therapy Credits: 3 s.h.
CAT 214 - Art Therapy Clinical Applications I Credits: 3 s.h.
CAT 215 - Art Therapy Clinical Applications II Credits: 3 s.h.
CAT 218 - Internship: Creative Arts Therapy Credits: 3 s.h.
CAT 219 - Internship: Creative Arts Therapy Credits: 3 s.h.
CAT 221 - Fieldwork: Creative Arts Therapy Credits: 1 s.h.
CAT 222 - Fieldwork: Creative Arts Therapy Credits: 1 s.h.
CAT 300 - Seminar: Creative Arts Therapy Credits: 3 s.h.
or
CAT 301 - Master’s Thesis Seminar I Credits: 3 s.h.
CAT 302 - Master’s Thesis Seminar II Credits: 3 s.h.

B. Psychosocial Requirements - Semester Hours: 15

Approved Electives, 6 s.h.

COUN 223 - Theories and Principles of Counseling Credits: 6 s.h.
COUN 261 - Understanding Psychopathology in Counseling Credits: 3 s.h.
or
PSY 216 - Behavior and Personality-Normal and Abnormal Credits: 3 s.h.

C. Fine Arts Studio Courses - Semester Hours: 6

Approved electives

D. Creative Arts Therapy Electives - Semester Hours: 3

Approved electives in art, dance, drama, music or poetry therapy

CAT 235 - Creativity Credits: 3 s.h.
Waived if CAT 301 & 302 are taken.

Graduation Requirements

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

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