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Art Therapy and Counseling

Major: Art Therapy and Counseling
Degree Awarded: Master of Arts (MA)
Calendar Type: Quarter
Total Credit Hours: 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 field education 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 students 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 506	Social and Cultural Foundations in Counseling and Art Therapy	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
Complete a total of 3 credits		3.0
CATX 621	Culminating Project in Art Therapy I
CATX 622	Culminating Project in Art Therapy II
Art Therapy Electives ^*
CATX 541	Digital Media Use in Art Therapy and Counseling
CATX 542	Mindfulness in Clinical Practice
Additional Electives ^*
CATX 627	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

First Year
Fall	Credits	Winter	Credits	Spring	Credits	Summer	Credits
CATX 501	2.0	CTCN 506	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	1.0	CATX 622	2.0
CTCN 610	2.0	CTCN 620	2.0	CTCN 630	2.0
	15		13		12.5
Total Credits 90

Creative Arts Therapies Department Faculty

Joke Bradt, PhD, MT-BC (Temple University) Director, PhD Program in Creative Arts Therapies. Professor. Research in music therapy, chronic pain, systematic reviews.

Natalie Rae Carlton, PhD, ATR-BC, LPCC (Lesley University) Director, Art Therapy and Counseling MA Program. Associate Clinical Professor. New media and art therapy, social justice in art activities, transgender and LGBTQ identity.

Christina Devereaux, PhD, LCAT, LMHC, BC-DMT, NCC (UCLA) Program Director for Dance/Movement Therapy and Counseling. Associate Clinical Professor. Dance movement therapy, children, attachment, autism spectrum disorder, trauma, group work, clinical supervision

Abby Dougherty, PhD, NCC, LPC (Walden University) Core Counseling Curriculum Coordinator. Clinical Assistant Professor. Virtual reality in mental health, mindfulness and contemplative practices in counselor education, creativity in college counseling, learning disabilities, relational-cultural theory in counseling and adult education.

Sharon W. Goodill, PhD, BC-DMT, NCC, LPC (Union Institute and University) Chair, Department of Creative Arts Therapies. Clinical Professor. Medical dance/movement, mind/body studies, movement assessment for DMT, CAT research and leadership.

Scott Horowitz, MA, MT-BC, LPC (Drexel University) Director of Field Education. Clinical Instructor. Interdisciplinary practice and education, developmental models of clinical and practicum supervision, music therapy and neurodevelopmental populations.

Girija Kaimal, EdD, MA (Harvard University). Associate Professor. Art therapy, educational research, program evaluation, art therapy.

Dawn Morningstar, MCAT, VC-DMT, LP (Hahnemann University) Coordinator of CAT Clinical Services. Assistant Clinical Professor. Specialty in working with children and adolescents, Dance/movement therapist at Drexel's Parkway Health and Wellness faculty practice outpatient clinic.

Marisol S. Norris, PhD, MT-BC (Drexel University) Director, Music Therapy and Counseling MA Program. Assistant Clinical Professor. . Community music therapy, critical pedagogies, Black aesthetics, culturally sustaining practice, radical healing framework.

Michele Rattigan, MA, ATR-BC, NCC, LPC (MCP Hahnemann University). Associate Clinical Professor. Unresolved trauma; post-partum depression and anxiety; disordered eating and body image concerns; self-harming behaviors; dissociative disorders

Minjung Shim, PhD, BC-DMT (Drexel University). Assistant Research Professor. Medical dance/movement therapy, chronic pain management, mindfulness-based interventions, clinical trials, theory/model-building, qualitative inquiries, scoping reviews.

Emeritus Faculty

Nancy Gerber, PhD, ATR-BC (Union Institute and University). Associate Clinical Professor Emerita. Art therapy assessment and treatment of adolescents and adults; modern psychoanalysis and art therapy; arts therapy education and doctoral education; arts based research and mixed methods research.

Florence Ierardi, MM, MT-BC, LPC (Temple University) Director, Music Therapy and Counseling MA Program. Associate Clinical Professor Emerita. Clinical improvisation, trauma-informed music therapy, multicultural music therapy perspectives.

Ellen Schelly-Hill, MMT, BC-DMT, NCC, LPC (Antioch NE Graduate School) Director of Dance/Movement Therapy and Counseling MA Program. Associate Clinical Professor Emerita. Adults diagnosed with mood disorders, anxiety, chronic pain and with histories of trauma; clinical supervision; ethics.