Program Overview

Performing and visual arts combine with psychology to create this unique degree program, which includes hands-on classroom instruction utilizing an integrated arts approach philosophy that incorporates 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 Endicott College 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 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.

Laptop Requirements

In addition to the general laptop requirements, incoming expressive art therapy students have specific requirements for their program.

Curriculum Requirements - Total Credits Required: 127

First Year - Credits: 32

  • Global Issues General Education Requirement (Cr: 3)
  • VLP Elective (Cr: 3)
  • VLP History/Theory Elective (Cr: 3)
  • Expressive Arts Elective (Cr: 3)
  • AET 100 - Foundations of Creative Therapies (Cr: 3)
  • ENG 111 - Critical Reading and Writing I (Cr: 3)
    Satisfies the Writing Designated Core Requirement
  • ENG 112 - Critical Reading and Writing II (Cr: 3)
    Satisfies the Writing Designated Core Requirement
  • INT 100 - Internship I (Cr: 2)
  • MTH 126 - Applied Statistics (Cr: 3)
    Satisfies the Quantitative Reasoning General Education Requirement
  • PSY 100 - General Psychology (Cr: 3)
    Satisfies Individual and Society General Education Requirement
  • PSY 110 - Lifespan Development (Cr: 3)

Second Year - Credits: 32

  • Expressive Arts Elective (Cr: 6)
  • Psychology Elective (any 300+ PSY course) (Cr: 3)
  • VLP Elective (Cr: 6)
  • VLP History/ Theory Major Elective (Cr: 3)
  • AMS 150 - American Sign Language I (Cr: 3)
  • AET 200 - Materials, Media, and Metaphor (Cr: 3)
  • AET 201 - Populations, Assessment, and Intervention (Cr: 3)
  • INT 200 - Internship II (Cr: 2)
  • PSY 212 - Psychopathology 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) 
  • Literary Perspectives General Education Requirement (Cr: 3)
  • Values and Ethical Reasoning General Education Requirement (recommended: PSY360 Psychology of Spirituality) (Cr: 3)
  • World Cultures General Education Requirement (Cr: 3) 
  • ART 302 - Portfolio (Cr: 3)
  • AET 300 - Counseling Practices in the Expressive Therapies (Cr: 3)
  • ART 240 - Imagination and Creativity (Cr: 3)

Fourth Year - Credits: 30

  • Expressive Arts Elective (Cr: 3)
  • General Education Elective one course must be 200+ level or higher (Cr: 6)
  • Science and Technology General Education Requirement (Cr: 3)
  • AET 480 - Semester Internship (Cr: 12)
  • AET 489 - Senior Research (Cr: 3)
  • AET 490 - Senior Research (Cr: 3)

Expressive Arts Electives

Students must select 5 from this category:

  • AET 205 - Music Therapy Foundations (Cr: 3)
  • AET 206 - Guitar for Therapy and Education (Cr: 3)
  • AET 207 - Drumming for Healing (Cr: 3)
  • AET 210 - Therapeutic Writing (Cr: 3)
  • AET 215 - Dance/Movement Therapy Foundations (Cr: 3)
  • AET 225 - Jung and Art Therapy (Cr: 3)
  • AET 305 - Cultural Humility in the Arts Therapies (Cr: 3)
  • AET 306 - Drama Therapy and Psychodrama (Cr: 3)
  • HMS 100 - Introduction 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):

  • DANXXX (any 1cr. course x3)
  • ART 105 - Drawing and Composition I (Cr: 3)
  • ART 121 - Ceramics I (Cr: 3)
  • ART 201 - Painting I (Cr: 3)
  • ART 255 - Creative Bookmaking (Cr: 3)
  • DAN 235 - Mind and Body Awareness (Cr: 3)
  • DAN 240 - Global Dance (Cr: 3)
  • DRA 200 - Acting Techniques I (Cr: 3)
  • DRA 205 - Acting Techniques II (Cr: 3)
  • DRA 220 - Introduction to Technical Theater (Cr: 3)
  • ENG 108 - Introduction to Creative Writing (Cr: 3)
  • ENG 207 - Writing Your Story (Cr: 3)
  • ENG 208 - Writing Poetry I (Cr: 3)
  • ENG 209 - Writing Short Fiction I (Cr: 3)
  • ENG 228 - Writing the Novel I (Cr: 3)
  • ENG 229 - Playwriting and Screenwriting I (Cr: 3)
  • ENG 307 - Telling True Stories (Cr: 3)
  • ENG 308 - Writing Poetry II (Cr: 3)
  • ENG 309 - Writing Short Fiction II (Cr: 3)
  • MUS 106 - Private Music Instruction (Cr: 0.5 - 3)
    Private Instruction, Ensemble, Band x3
  • MUS 120 - Guitar I (Cr: 3)
  • MUS 160 - Performance Workshop (Cr: 3)
  • MUS 201 - Music Theory I (Cr: 3)
  • MUS 210 - Music Composition (Cr: 3)
  • MUS 216 - Songwriting I (Cr: 3)
  • MUS 220 - Studio Audio Production (Cr: 3)
  • MUS 260 - Piano Styles (Cr: 3)
  • MUS 316 - Songwriting II (Cr: 3)
  • PHT 116 - Introduction to Photographic Methods (Cr: 3)

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

Students must select 2 from this category:

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

Diversity, Equity & Inclusivity Requirements

Students take the following: 

  • DEI course attribute at any level
  • DEI course attribute 200 level and above (see below for recommendation)
  • AET 201 - Populations, 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. 
  • Develop a studio practice in a chosen expressive arts modes; literary, performing, or visual arts .
  • Discuss and write about theoretical perspectives in expressive arts therapy.
  • Engage verbally in intellectual discourse within the discipline.
  • Draw upon imagination, play, and improvisation to engage groups and individuals in creative learning experiences. 
  • Demonstrates willingness to go beyond original parameters of assignment, introducing new materials and forms, including tackling controversial topics. 
  • Discuss and present an awareness of personal creative process. 

View academic catalog and learning outcomes

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Maegan Morrissey’s Internship at Windrush Farm
Endicott student Maegan Morrissey takes us behind the scenes of her internship at Windrush Farm. Located in North Andover, Windrush Farm is a non-profit dedicated to expanding the spirits of children and adults with physical, cognitive, and emotional challenges through therapeutic riding and horse-related activities. Maegan is right there in the middle of the action, gaining the kind of experience you just can’t get in a classroom thanks to Endicott's Experiential Edge.
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