Mar 28, 2024  
2014-2015 Graduate Studies Bulletin 
    
2014-2015 Graduate Studies Bulletin [ARCHIVED BULLETIN]

Creative Arts Therapy, M.A.


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Associate Professor Bloomgarden, Graduate Program Director, 516-463-5300

The master of arts degree (M.A.) in Creative Arts Therapy, currently approved by the American Art Therapy Association (AATA), is designed to provide students with a critical knowledge base comprised of content areas identified by both the American Art Therapy Association and 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 gerontology, special education, counseling, and marriage and family therapy.

The Creative Arts Therapy 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 B.A. 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



  1. Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution with a minimum grade point average of 2.75.
  2. Demonstration of competency in art by presenting slides, original artwork, CD presentation.
  3. A personal interview with the program director.
  4. Three letters of recommendation from education and professional sources.
  5. Personal statement.
  6. 12 semester hours in psychology, including developmental, personality theories and abnormal.
  7. 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.

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: 53


Electives: Semester Hours: 6-9


6–9  semester hours of electives under advisement.  Approved electives are in expressive therapies, gerontology, special education, counseling, play therapy, marriage and family and creative arts therapies.


Graduation Requirements



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

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