Art Therapy and Counseling
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 systems of care. 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 the simultaneous on-site, community educational experiences each student has with individuals and groups. Students learn by doing, including incorporating supervisor and faculty feedback within their sustained and often distinct learning trajectories. This multilayered pedagogy, plus 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, students of the Art Therapy and Counseling program study the vital roles that creativity, empathy, and cultural humility have in professional work and for interpersonal growth. 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 areas such as 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; psychopathology; social and cultural foundations; clinical appraisal and assessment, and group dynamics.
Graduates are eligible for the ATR-Provisional certification upon program graduation to then work further towards their ATR and ATR-BC credentials, as well as 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 design the Art Therapy and Counseling program's 90-quarter-credit to meet the Pennsylvania Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) educational requirements as well as uphold program and learning standards for art therapy accreditation through 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) in which they plan to work and practice. It is the students' responsibility to 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 | DSM and Psychopathology | 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 in Counseling and Art Therapy | 4.5 |
| Art Therapy Track Courses | ||
| CATX 528 | Family Systems and Adult and Older Adult Assessment and Treatment Planning | 4.5 |
| CATX 529 | Family Systems and Children and Adolescent Assessment and Treatment Planning | 4.5 |
| CATX 532 | Trauma Approaches in Art Therapy | 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 537 | Art Therapy Group Supervision I | 1.0 |
| CATX 538 | Art Therapy Group Supervision II | 1.0 |
| CATX 539 | Art Therapy Group Supervision III | 1.0 |
| CATX 631 | Media, Materials and Process in Art Therapy | 3.0 |
| CATX 637 | Advanced Art Therapy Group Supervision I | 1.0 |
| CATX 638 | Advanced Art Therapy Group Supervision II | 1.0 |
| CATX 639 | Advanced Art Therapy Group Supervision III | 1.0 |
| CATX 645 | Professional Identity & Contemporary Practices | 3.0 |
| Clinical Education Courses | ||
| CTCN 510 | Clinical Practicum I | 2.0 |
| CTCN 520 | Clinical Practicum II | 2.0 |
| CTCN 530 | Clinical Practicum III | 2.0 |
| CTCN 610 | Clinical Internship I | 2.0 |
| CTCN 620 | Clinical Internship II | 2.0 |
| CTCN 630 | Clinical Internship III | 2.0 |
| Culminating Project | ||
| CATX 621 | Culminating Project in Art Therapy I | 1.5 |
| CATX 622 | Culminating Project in Art Therapy 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 | |
- *
Electives are offered but not required. Please note that electives are in addition to the 90.0 credits required for the degree. Please consult with your 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 | CTCN 503 | 4.5 | CTCN 504 | 4.5 |
| CATX 528 | 4.5 | CATX 529 | 4.5 | CATX 532 | 3.0 | CTCN 505 | 4.5 |
| CATX 537 | 1.0 | CATX 538 | 1.0 | CATX 535 | 3.0 | CATX 536 | 1.0 |
| CTCN 501 | 4.5 | CTCN 520 | 2.0 | CATX 539 | 1.0 | ||
| CTCN 510 | 2.0 | CTCN 530 | 2.0 | ||||
| 14 | 12 | 13.5 | 10 | ||||
| Second Year | |||||||
| Fall | Credits | Winter | Credits | Spring | Credits | ||
| CTCN 601 | 4.5 | CTCN 603 | 4.5 | CTCN 604 | 4.5 | ||
| CATX 631 | 3.0 | CATX 638 | 1.0 | CATX 639 | 1.0 | ||
| CATX 637 | 1.0 | CTCN 540 | 4.5 | CATX 645 | 3.0 | ||
| CTCN 606 | 4.5 | CATX 621 | 1.5 | CATX 622 | 1.5 | ||
| CTCN 610 | 2.0 | CTCN 620 | 2.0 | CTCN 630 | 2.0 | ||
| 15 | 13.5 | 12 | |||||
| Total Credits 90 | |||||||
Three Year Plan of Study*
| First Year (Part-Time) | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | Winter | Credits | Spring | Credits | Summer | Credits |
| CATX 501 | 2.0 | CTCN 509 | 4.5 | CTCN 503 | 4.5 | CTCN 505 | 4.5 |
| CATX 528 | 4.5 | CATX 529 | 4.5 | CATX 535 | 3.0 | CATX 536 | 1.0 |
| CTCN 501 | 4.5 | CATX 532 | 3.0 | ||||
| 11 | 9 | 10.5 | 5.5 | ||||
| Second Year (Part-Time) | |||||||
| Fall | Credits | Winter | Credits | Spring | Credits | Summer | Credits |
| CATX 631 | 3.0 | CTCN 603 | 4.5 | CTCN 604 | 4.5 | CTCN 504 | 4.5 |
| CTCN 606 | 4.5 | CTCN 520 | 2.0 | CATX 539 | 1.0 | ||
| CTCN 510 | 2.0 | CATX 538 | 1.0 | CTCN 530 | 2.0 | ||
| CATX 537 | 1.0 | ||||||
| 10.5 | 7.5 | 7.5 | 4.5 | ||||
| Third Year (Part-Time) | |||||||
| Fall | Credits | Winter | Credits | Spring | Credits | ||
| CTCN 601 | 4.5 | CTCN 540 | 4.5 | CATX 645 | 3.0 | ||
| CTCN 610 | 2.0 | CATX 621 | 1.5 | CATX 622 | 1.5 | ||
| CATX 637 | 1.0 | CTCN 620 | 2.0 | CTCN 630 | 2.0 | ||
| CATX 638 | 1.0 | CATX 639 | 1.0 | ||||
| 7.5 | 9 | 7.5 | |||||
| Total Credits 90 | |||||||
- *
Please note that 'part time' does not refer to the status of a student regarding financial aid. On the 3-year-plan of study as reflected above students would still be considered 'full time students' due the amount of credits per quarter.
