Program Overview

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Bachelor of Creative Arts, Health, and Wellness

The Bachelor of Creative Arts, Health, and Wellness is a 4-year Honours degree program that explores the artistic, psychological, and therapeutic components of the creative arts and their connections to healthcare and human wellness.

Why Choose a Bachelor's Degree in Creative Arts, Health and Wellness?

This program allows students to make a difference in the world and the people around them using creative expression. Students become skills experts in their field while developing a portfolio. They learn to be anti-oppressive and inclusive, tackling important issues related to indigeneity, equity, diversity, and inclusion.

Majors

• Music
• Studio Art
• Theatre Studies

What is the Bachelor of Creative Arts, Health and Wellness?

This program is the first undergraduate program of its kind in Canada. Students explore the artistic, psychological, and therapeutic components of the creative arts and their connections to healthcare and human wellness. They pursue their artistic passion in either Music, Theatre Studies, or Studio Art, combining this knowledge with required courses in Psychology and core BCAHW courses (CREA).

Why was the Bachelor of Creative Arts, Health and Wellness created?

The World Health Organization (WHO) released a report in 2019 identifying a major role for the arts in the prevention of ill health, promotion of health, and management and treatment of illness across the lifespan. The WHO argued that the arts play a critical role in managing, treating, and preventing a variety of illnesses.

Benefits of having a bachelor's degree in Creative Arts, Health and Wellness

State-of-the-Art Facilities

Students have access to the newly renovated, $23 million Arts Research Centre (ARC) and Fine Art Studios in Zavitz Hall and Alexander Hall. These spaces serve as a community hub for music, performance, and creativity.

Learn From The Best

Students learn from award-winning scholars, theatre experts, musicians, and artists who have honed their craft and look forward to teaching.

Gain Practical Experience

Students gain experience through recitals, shows, productions, and gallery exhibits, preparing them for the real world.

Access Community Support

With smaller class sizes, students build a tight-knit community of like-minded people who want to see them succeed. Professors know students by name and encourage them to grow.

Our Facilities

The Arts Research Centre (ARC)

The ARC is a state-of-the-art performing arts facility representing a $23 million renovation, located in the MacKinnon Building. It serves as the primary location for Music and Theatre Studies students.

Zavitz Hall and Alexander Hall

These buildings house the fine arts facilities on-campus, where Studio Art students spend most of their time.

Healing through Arts

Research at the University of Guelph, such as that led by Rebecca Barnstaple, explores how arts can transform health and well-being, combining knowledge of music and dance with insights from neuroscience to benefit people with chronic pain and neurodegenerative conditions.

What can you do with a bachelor's degree in Creative Arts, Health and Wellness?

Graduates fill a need in the labour market and healthcare field, utilizing skills developed within one creative art program paired with psychological and therapeutic approaches. They address relevant socio-cultural, economic, and scientific (healthcare) concerns.

Careers

• Counselling and Therapy
• Healthcare and Medicine
• Education
• Community Outreach and Advocacy
• Social Work

Graduate Programs

Graduates pursue further education in fields such as Music Therapy, Drama Therapy, Art Therapy, Counselling, Education, Psychology, and Medicine.

Admission Requirements

Admission requirements are available for Canadian, international, transfer, and mature students.