Program Overview

Program Overview

Hofstra University's Master of Arts in Creative Arts Therapy Counseling program is designed to prepare students for licensure in New York state as creative arts therapists and as registered and board certified art therapists.

Accreditation

The program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) upon the recommendation of the Accreditation Council for Art Therapy Education (ACATE).

Program Duration

Full-time students can complete the curriculum in two to three years. The program also accommodates part-time and nonmatriculated students.

Clinical Experience

Creative Arts Therapy Counseling students are placed into the field in their first year in the program through a practicum, during which they are engaged with clients under the supervision of a licensed creative arts therapist. In addition, internship opportunities are offered at prestigious institutions throughout the metropolitan New York area.

Department and Courses

The program sits in the Department of Counseling and Mental Health Professions, which allows students to include courses from related programs into their personal plan of study.

Electives

The program offers diverse electives that expose students to expressive therapies that can enhance the art therapy process, including:

• Music therapy
• Dance therapy
• Play and sand tray therapy
• A study abroad option in Ireland

Theoretical Approaches and Clinical Applications

This in-person program teaches a wide variety of theoretical approaches and clinical and creative applications, which prepares graduates to work within a variety of settings and with diverse populations.

Student Organization and Conference

The Creative Arts Therapy Club at Hofstra (CATCH) is a graduate student-run organization that is extremely active in the art therapy community. They host community art shows, bring in prominent, cutting-edge, art therapy professionals as guest speakers, and take part in an annual conference. The program is proud to host an Annual Creative Arts Therapy Counseling Conference each year for networking, professional development, and community connection. Students are able to assist in the process and attend diverse workshops with seasoned professionals in the field.