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  • Program Overview

    Performing and visual arts come together with psychology to create this unique degree program, which includes hands on classroom instruction utilizing an integrated arts approach philosophy by incorporating the use of visual arts, dance and movement, music and sound, theater, and creative writing.

    Over the course of study, each student is encouraged to discover his or her own treasury of personal creative resources, and share therapeutic properties with others through three internship experiences. Students are encouraged to participate in the International Expressive Arts Therapy Association (IEATA) as well as the bi-annual ÑÇÖÞÉ«°É Expressive Therapies Symposium.

    A degree in Expressive Arts Therapy can lead to meaningful jobs in the arts and medical professions, and can prepare you for graduate programs in psychology and expressive therapies graduate programs such as dance therapy, music therapy, drama therapy, and art therapy.

    Becoming a Registered Expressive Arts Therapist (REAT) or a board certified therapist in any of the related creative arts therapy fields is dependent on completion of graduate education and post-graduate supervised clinical experience, and a board certification exam.


    Art therapy session
  • Curriculum

    Curriculum Requirements - Total Credits Required: 127

    First Year - Credits: 32

    • Global Issues General Education Requirement (Cr: 3)
    • VLP ElectiveÌý(Cr: 3)
    • VLP History Elective (Cr: 3)
    • Expressive Arts ElectiveÌý(Cr: 3)
    • AET 100Ìý-ÌýFoundations of Creative Therapies (Cr: 3)
    • ENG 111Ìý-ÌýCritical Reading and Writing I (Cr: 3)
      Satisfies the Writing Designated Core Requirement
    • ENG 112Ìý-ÌýCritical Reading and Writing II (Cr: 3)
      Satisfies the Writing Designated Core Requirement
    • INT 100Ìý-ÌýInternship I (Cr: 2)
    • MTH 126Ìý-ÌýApplied Statistics (Cr: 3)
      Satisfies the Quantitative Reasoning General Education Requirement
    • PSY 100Ìý-ÌýGeneral Psychology (Cr: 3)
      Satisfies Individual and Society General Education Requirement
    • PSY 110Ìý-ÌýLifespan Development (Cr: 3)

    Second Year - Credits: 32

    • Expressive Arts ElectiveÌý(Cr: 6)
    • Psychology Elective (Cr: 3)
    • VLP Elective (Cr: 6)
    • VLP History Elective (Cr: 3)
    • AMS 150Ìý-ÌýAmerican Sign Language I (Cr: 3)
    • AET 200Ìý-ÌýMethods and Materials in Arts and Expressive Therapy (Cr: 3)
    • AET 201Ìý-ÌýPopulations, Assessment, and Intervention (Cr: 3)
    • INT 200Ìý-ÌýInternship II (Cr: 2)
    • PSY 212Ìý-ÌýPsychopathology and Clinical Science (Cr: 3)

    Third Year - Credits: 33

    • General Education Elective (Cr: 3)
    • VLP Elective (Must be 200/300 level) (Cr: 6)
    • Expressive Arts Elective (Cr: 3)
    • Aesthetic Awareness General Education Requirement (Cr: 3)Ìý
    • Literary Perspectives General Education Requirement (Cr: 3)
    • Values and Ethical Reasoning (recommended: PSY360 Psychology of Spirituality) (Cr: 3)
    • World Cultures General Education Requirement (Cr: 3)Ìý
    • ART 302Ìý-ÌýPortfolio (Cr: 3)
    • AET 300Ìý-ÌýCounseling Practices in the Expressive Therapies (Cr: 3)
    • ART 240Ìý-ÌýImagination and Creativity (Cr: 3)
    • PSY 212Ìý-ÌýPsychopathology and Clinical Science (Cr: 3)

    Fourth Year - Credits: 30

    • Expressive Arts Elective (Cr: 3)
    • General Education Elective (Cr: 6)
    • Science and Technology General Education Requirement (Cr: 3)
    • AET 480Ìý-ÌýSemester Internship (Cr: 12)
    • AET 489Ìý-ÌýSenior Research (Cr: 3)
    • AET 490Ìý-ÌýSenior Thesis (Cr: 3)

    Expressive Arts Electives

    Students must select 5 from this category:

    • AET 205Ìý-ÌýMusic Therapy Foundations (Cr: 3)
    • AET 206Ìý-ÌýGuitar for Expressive Therapies (Cr: 3)
    • AET 207Ìý-ÌýDrumming for Healing (Cr: 3)
    • AET 210Ìý-ÌýTherapeutic Writing (Cr: 3)
    • AET 215Ìý-ÌýDance/Movement Therapy Foundations (Cr: 3)
    • AET 225Ìý-ÌýJung and Art Therapy (Cr: 3)
    • AET 305Ìý-ÌýCross Cultural Practices of Art Therapy (Cr: 3)
    • AET 306Ìý-ÌýDrama Therapy and Psychodrama (Cr: 3)
    • HMS 100Ìý-ÌýIntroduction to Human Services (Cr: 3)

    Visual, Literary and Performing Arts Electives (VLP)

    Students must select 5 courses from this category from 3 separate designations (Limit 2 courses from ART):

    • ART 105Ìý-ÌýDrawing and Composition I (Cr: 3)
    • ART 121Ìý-ÌýCeramics I (Cr: 3)
    • ART 201Ìý-ÌýPainting I (Cr: 3)
    • ART 255Ìý-ÌýCreative Bookmaking (Cr: 3)
    • DAN 235Ìý-ÌýMind and Body Awareness (Cr: 3)
    • DAN 240Ìý-ÌýGlobal Dance (Cr: 3)
    • DRA 200Ìý-ÌýActing Techniques I (Cr: 3)
    • DRA 205Ìý-ÌýActing Techniques II (Cr: 3)
    • DRA 220Ìý-ÌýIntroduction to Theater Production (Cr: 3)
    • ENG 108Ìý-ÌýIntroduction to Creative Writing (Cr: 3)
    • ENG 207Ìý-ÌýWriting Your Story (Cr: 3)
    • ENG 208Ìý-ÌýWriting Poetry I (Cr: 3)
    • ENG 209Ìý-ÌýWriting Short Fiction I (Cr: 3)
    • ENG 228Ìý-ÌýWriting the Novel I (Cr: 3)
    • ENG 229Ìý-ÌýPlaywriting and Screenwriting I (Cr: 3)
    • ENG 307Ìý-ÌýTelling True Stories (Cr: 3)
    • ENG 308Ìý-ÌýWriting Poetry II (Cr: 3)
    • ENG 309Ìý-ÌýWriting Short Fiction II (Cr: 3)
    • MUS 106Ìý-ÌýPrivate Music Instruction (Cr: 0.5 - 3)
      x3
    • MUS 120Ìý-ÌýGuitar I (Cr: 3)
    • MUS 160Ìý-ÌýPerformance Workshop (Cr: 3)
    • MUS 201Ìý-ÌýMusic Theory I (Cr: 3)
    • MUS 216Ìý-ÌýSongwriting I (Cr: 3)
    • MUS 220Ìý-ÌýStudio Audio Production I (Cr: 3)
    • MUS 260Ìý-ÌýPiano Styles (Cr: 3)
    • MUS 316Ìý-ÌýSongwriting II (Cr: 3)
    • PHT 116Ìý-ÌýIntroduction to Photographic Imaging (Cr: 3)

    Visual, Literary and Performing History/Theory Electives (VLP)

    Students must select 2Ìýfrom this category:

    • ART 102Ìý-ÌýVisual Art and Cultural Values II: Early Fourteenth Century to the Present (Cr: 3)
    • DAN 225Ìý-ÌýDance History (Cr: 3)
    • MUS 111Ìý-ÌýHistory of Western Music (Cr: 3)

    Diversity, Equity & Inclusivity Requirements

    Students take the following:Ìý

    • DEI course attribute at any level
    • DEI course attribute 200 level and above
    • AET 201Ìý-ÌýPopulations, Assessment, and Intervention (Cr: 3)

    Learning Outcomes

    Upon completion of the Expressive Arts Therapy program, students will:

    • Demonstrate the critical inquiry and analysis skills needed to engage constructively in intellectual discourse within the art fields.
    • Demonstrate knowledge of and competency with computer technology as it is used in the artistic processes.
    • Develop technical and creative skills in multiple expressive arts modes; literary, performing, or visual arts.
    • Work with a variety of different written, performing, and visual arts media to communicate feelings, thoughts, and emotions.
    • Apply the use of an integrated arts approach in pre-clinical settings.Ìý
    • Develop a studio practiceÌýinÌýa chosen expressive arts modes; literary, performing, or visual arts .
    • Discuss and write about theoreticalÌýperspectives in expressive arts therapy.
    • Engage verbally in intellectual discourse withinÌýthe discipline.
    • Draw upon imagination, play, and improvisation to engage groups and individuals in creative learning experiences.Ìý
    • DemonstratesÌýwillingness to go beyond original parameters of assignment, introducing new materials and forms, including tackling controversial topics.Ìý
    • Discuss and present an awareness of personal creative process.Ìý

  • Internships & Careers

    Recent Expressive Arts Therapy Internship sites include:

    The Artful Life Counseling Center and Studio LLC.
    Boston Children's Hospital
    Care Dimensions Hospice
    Express Yourself, Inc.
    Mass General Hospital
    The May Institute
    The North Shore Education Consortium