Art Therapy and Counseling MA
Major: Art Therapy and Counseling
Degree Awarded: Master of Arts (MA)
Calendar Type: Quarter
Minimum Required Credits: 90.0
Co-op Option: None
Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) code: 51.2301
Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) code: 29-1129
About the Program
Drexel University's Master of Arts in Art Therapy and Counseling was founded in 1967 at Hahnemann Medical College and Hospital and provides students extensive exposure to current, interdisciplinary practices. This distinctive program teaches students informed skills and integrative theories for diverse therapeutic approaches in various care systems. Working with specified treatment objectives determined through client collaboration and ongoing assessment, students learn to apply art therapy methods alongside counseling skills. In-class experientials and didactic learning inform each student's simultaneous on-site, community and clinical educational experiences with individuals and groups. Students learn by doing, incorporating supervisor and faculty feedback within their sustained and often distinct learning trajectories. This multilayered pedagogy and each student's necessary interpersonal work and professional disposition development provide foundational learning for creative and ethical art therapy and counseling.
Throughout the multi-dimensional learning processes and content areas of the Art Therapy and Counseling program, students study the vital roles of creativity, empathy and cultural humility in professional work and interpersonal growth. In addition, students learn how their cognitive, behavioral, creative and emotional responses can block or augment the relationships of therapy, colleagueship and professional development. The 90.0 quarter-credit curriculum includes specific art therapy coursework in community care, assessment and treatment planning for children, adolescents, adults, older adults and families; trauma and systemic approaches; creativity, symbol and metaphor; digital media use; mindfulness; and addictions and recovery. Students also take classes in general mental health counseling topics, including human development, differential diagnosis, social and cultural foundations, clinical appraisal and assessment and group dynamics.
Graduates are eligible for the ATR-Provisional certification upon program graduation to work further towards their ATR and ATR-BC credentials and professional counseling licensure in Pennsylvania and other states upon completion of specified work and supervision hours that are critical parts of post-graduation requirements. We designed the Art Therapy and Counseling program's 90-quarter credits to meet the Pennsylvania Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) educational requirements. We also uphold program and learning standards for art therapy accreditation through CAAHEP and the Accreditation Council for Art Therapy Education or ACATE. Because licensure requirements vary from state to state, we strongly advise applicants interested in attaining post-graduation counseling licensure to access and check the requirements for any state(s) where they plan to work and practice. In addition, the students must begin to know and understand the requirements for any future licensure they may seek. We strive to inform, update and support individualized pursuits for licensure and national board certification with each student.
For additional information about the program, visit the College of Nursing and Health Professions Art Therapy and Counseling website.
Degree Requirements
Core Courses | ||
CATX 501 | Foundations of Creative Arts Therapies | 2.0 |
CTCN 501 | Human Psychological Development | 4.5 |
CTCN 503 | Differential Diagnosis and Processes | 4.5 |
CTCN 504 | Professional Orientation and Ethics | 4.5 |
CTCN 505 | Theories of Counseling and Psychotherapy | 4.5 |
CTCN 509 | Social and Cultural Foundations | 4.5 |
CTCN 540 | Approaches to Addictions and Recovery | 4.5 |
CTCN 601 | Introduction to Behavioral Research | 4.5 |
CTCN 603 | Clinical Appraisal and Assessment | 4.5 |
CTCN 604 | Career Counseling | 4.5 |
CTCN 606 | Group Dynamics and Processes | 4.5 |
Art Therapy Track Courses | ||
CATX 528 | Systems, Community Practices, and Therapeutic Relationships | 4.5 |
CATX 529 | Family Systems for Assessment and Treatment Planning | 4.5 |
CATX 532 | Trauma, Crisis, and Community Care | 3.0 |
CATX 535 | Creativity, Symbolism, and Metaphor in Art Therapy and Counseling | 3.0 |
CATX 536 | Studio Art for Art Therapists | 1.0 |
CATX 631 | Media, Materials and Process in Art Therapy | 3.0 |
CATX 645 | Professional Identity & Contemporary Practices | 3.0 |
Clinical Education Courses | ||
CTCN 513 | Orientation to Counseling Theories, Helping Relationships, and Supervision | 2.0 |
CTCN 523 | Clinical Practicum I | 2.0 |
CTCN 524 | Group Supervision I | 1.5 |
CTCN 533 | Clinical Practicum II | 2.0 |
CTCN 534 | Group Supervision II | 1.5 |
CTCN 613 | Advanced Group Supervision and Internship I | 3.0 |
CTCN 623 | Advanced Group Supervision and Internship II | 3.0 |
CTCN 633 | Advanced Group Supervision and Internship III | 3.0 |
Culminating Project | ||
CATX 621 | Culminating Project I | 1.5 |
CATX 622 | Culminating Project II | 1.5 |
Art Therapy Electives * | ||
Digital Media Use in Art Therapy and Counseling | ||
Mindfulness in Clinical Practice | ||
Additional Electives * | ||
For Culminating Project Only | ||
Total Credits | 90.0 |
- *
Please note that electives are in addition to the 90 credits required for the degree. Please consult with you advisor before registering for an elective.
Sample Plan of Study
Two Year Plan of Study
First Year | |||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Fall | Credits | Winter | Credits | Spring | Credits | Summer | Credits |
CATX 501 | 2.0 | CTCN 509 | 4.5 | CATX 532 | 3.0 | CATX 536 | 1.0 |
CATX 528 | 4.5 | CATX 529 | 4.5 | CATX 535 | 3.0 | CTCN 503 | 4.5 |
CTCN 501 | 4.5 | CTCN 523 | 2.0 | CTCN 505 | 4.5 | CTCN 504 | 4.5 |
CTCN 513 | 2.0 | CTCN 524 | 1.5 | CTCN 533 | 2.0 | ||
CTCN 534 | 1.5 | ||||||
13 | 12.5 | 14 | 10 | ||||
Second Year | |||||||
Fall | Credits | Winter | Credits | Spring | Credits | ||
CATX 631 | 3.0 | CATX 621 | 1.5 | CATX 622 | 1.5 | ||
CTCN 601 | 4.5 | CTCN 603 | 4.5 | CATX 645 | 3.0 | ||
CTCN 606 | 4.5 | CTCN 540 | 4.5 | CTCN 604 | 4.5 | ||
CTCN 613 | 3.0 | CTCN 623 | 3.0 | CTCN 633 | 3.0 | ||
15 | 13.5 | 12 | |||||
Total Credits 90 |
Three-Year Plan of Study
First Year | |||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Fall | Credits | Winter | Credits | Spring | Credits | Summer | Credits |
CATX 501 | 2.0 | CATX 529 | 4.5 | CATX 532 | 3.0 | CATX 536 | 1.0 |
CTCN 501 | 4.5 | CTCN 509 | 4.5 | CATX 535 | 3.0 | CTCN 503 | 4.5 |
CATX 528 | 4.5 | CTCN 505 | 4.5 | ||||
11 | 9 | 10.5 | 5.5 | ||||
Second Year | |||||||
Fall | Credits | Winter | Credits | Spring | Credits | Summer | Credits |
CATX 631 | 3.0 | CTCN 523 | 2.0 | CTCN 604 | 4.5 | CTCN 504 | 4.5 |
CTCN 513 | 2.0 | CTCN 524 | 1.5 | CTCN 533 | 2.0 | ||
CTCN 606 | 4.5 | CTCN 603 | 4.5 | CTCN 534 | 1.5 | ||
9.5 | 8 | 8 | 4.5 | ||||
Third Year | |||||||
Fall | Credits | Winter | Credits | Spring | Credits | ||
CTCN 601 | 4.5 | CATX 621 | 1.5 | CATX 622 | 1.5 | ||
CTCN 613 | 3.0 | CTCN 540 | 4.5 | CATX 645 | 3.0 | ||
CTCN 623 | 3.0 | CTCN 633 | 3.0 | ||||
7.5 | 9 | 7.5 | |||||
Total Credits 90 |
Four-Year Plan of Study
First Year (Part-Time) | |||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Fall | Credits | Winter | Credits | Spring | Credits | Summer | Credits |
CATX 501 | 2.0 | CTCN 509 | 4.5 | CATX 535 | 3.0 | CATX 536 | 1.0 |
CATX 528 | 4.5 | CTCN 505 | 4.5 | CTCN 503 | 4.5 | ||
6.5 | 4.5 | 7.5 | 5.5 | ||||
Second Year (Part-Time) | |||||||
Fall | Credits | Winter | Credits | Spring | Credits | Summer | Credits |
CTCN 501 | 4.5 | CATX 529 | 4.5 | CTCN 603 | 4.5 | CTCN 504 | 4.5 |
CTCN 513 | 2.0 | CTCN 523 | 2.0 | CTCN 533 | 2.0 | ||
CTCN 524 | 1.5 | CTCN 534 | 1.5 | ||||
6.5 | 8 | 8 | 4.5 | ||||
Third Year (Part-Time) | |||||||
Fall | Credits | Winter | Credits | Spring | Credits | Summer | Credits |
CTCN 606 | 4.5 | CATX 621 | 1.5 | CTCN 604 | 4.5 | Vacation | |
CTCN 613 | 3.0 | CTCN 623 | 3.0 | CTCN 633 | 3.0 | ||
7.5 | 4.5 | 7.5 | 0 | ||||
Fourth Year (Part-Time) | |||||||
Fall | Credits | Winter | Credits | Spring | Credits | ||
CATX 631 | 3.0 | CTCN 540 | 4.5 | CATX 532 | 3.0 | ||
CTCN 601 | 4.5 | CATX 622 | 1.5 | CATX 645 | 3.0 | ||
7.5 | 6 | 6 | |||||
Total Credits 90 |
Program Level Outcomes
- Students will learn to work with specified treatment objectives determined through client or group collaboration and formal to informal assessments to apply relevant art therapy methods alongside counseling micro-skills.
- In-class experientials and didactic learning will inform and support the simultaneous clinical and community education experiences each student engages with individuals and groups.
- Students will learn primary art therapy and counseling skills by completing ongoing clinical and community education placement work and incorporating their supervisor and faculty feedback within their sustained learning trajectories with diverse care systems.
- Each student will address and work within any necessary interpersonal work, self-care and professional disposition development in conscious, self-initiated and program-supported ways.
- The program learning and content areas will support a comprehensive foundation for creative and ethical clinical and community work within the multiple systems of care and culturally diverse populations possible.
- Faculty and supervisors will strive to inform, update and support individualized state licensure pursuits for each student via academic advisement and multiple licensure workshops while attending our program.
- Students will study the vital roles that their creativity, intersectional identities and cultural humility impact and augment therapeutic relationships and goals of therapy.
- Each student will be exposed to students and faculty members from other creative arts therapies and counseling fields while developing a strong identity as an art therapist.
- Each student will engage in a Master's culminating project that is informed scholarship and creative-based and disseminate the results via an end-of-academic-year community platform and any other relevant venues or opportunities for the topic areas.