Expressive Arts Therapy - Bachelor of Science (30 Credits)
(30 credits plus 19 credits of experiential learning)
The professional major in Expressive Arts Therapy is designed for students interested in learning about the theory and philosophy of expressive arts therapy and how professionals utilize expressive arts therapy modalities of dance/movement, drama, creative writing, music, poetry and the visual arts in integrated ways in working with children and adults in a variety of settings.
This major prepares students for entry-level positions in a number of human services settings, such as social service agencies, child care programs or specialized school programs, and other community settings. It is also designed to prepare students for entry into a professional, Master of Arts degree licensure program in Expressive Therapies and Mental Health Counseling. This program combines pre-professional courses in the human services with substantial coursework in psychology and the arts. Students will complete over 400 hours in the field. Optional specializations: Holistic Psychology and Dance/Movement Therapy.
To successfully meet the requirements of the Expressive Arts Therapy major, students will:
- develop multimodal proficiency, synthesizing the identity of an integrated artist with that of a helping professional.
- demonstrate an understanding of modality-specific applications of Expressive Therapies within a context of the helping profession, through engagement in experiential learning.
- be able to critically analyze social science research and utilize their understanding to enhance their development within the field of Expressive Art Therapy.
- show an understanding of psychological development within a cultural context.
- demonstrate a capacity to utilize multicultural global perspectives in their approach to understanding Expressive Arts Therapy practice.
Academic & Professional Standards of the Expressive Arts Therapy Major
The Department of Psychology & Applied Therapies understands the commitment to self-awareness and self-management that comes with development as a helping professional. Students’ capacity to engage with empathic understanding of self and other is of great importance for successful completion of the internship courses and many other aspects of the program. Due to the applied nature of our graduates’ work in the field, students’ understanding of areas for growth and their own commitment to work on both personal challenges and professional competencies is essential to moving forward in the major.
Department pedagogy is substantially based on students’ attendance and participation with the course materials, in activities that require consistent collaboration with others, which itself is based in the ability to take other’s perspectives and present one’s own opinions respectfully.
Below are listed other specific competencies and professional behaviors that students will be assessed on as they progress through their program of study. Students will be given feedback when issues arise related to these competencies and allowed an opportunity to improve on suggested areas in order to assist them to successfully complete their chosen major. Students failing to reach benchmarked academic standards and professional competencies over time will enter the Department's academic review process. For more specific descriptions of these competencies and the academic review process, please see Department Manual.
Professional Standards Competencies
A student’s ability to function effectively within the context of helping relationships will be continually assessed by the faculty. Among the competencies that will be evaluated, in accordance with a student’s experience, are:
- Appropriate work comportment including: attendance; punctuality; sound judgment; quality of work; ability to take initiative; attitude, knowledge or application of agency policy;
- Understanding of, and sensitivity to, the power dynamic in the worker/client relationship and the impact of class, ethnicity, gender, physical ability, race, religion/spirituality, and sexual orientation;
- Awareness of how one’s own biases will affect one’s understanding of and regard for another;
- Capacity to be a participant and observer in one’s helping relationships with others;
- Recognition of and ability to deal with issues relating to how one’s own feelings may impact work with clients, agency personnel, and supervisors;
- Ability to interview/converse with clients in order to assess their social and emotional needs;
- Ability to use appropriate verbal and non-verbal communication skills;
- The ability to maintain appropriate and ethically required boundaries, which includes but is not limited to dual relationships, sexual conduct with clients or staff and sexual harassment;
- The appropriate use of self-disclosures;
- Awareness of the scope and limits of one’s expertise, including but not limited to identification as interns;
- Understanding of an ability to adapt treatment plans to meet the needs of diverse clinical populations;
- Understanding of and ability to discuss ethical issues as they arise.
Degree Requirements
I. Required Core (21 Credits):
II. Arts Courses (9 Credits):
Choose ONE course from 3 different categories. At least one course must be taken with a CARTH, CEXTH or GEXTH prefix.
Advisors may substitute CARTH 3888 or CEXTH 3888 as appropriate in areas below.
Visual Arts
Music
Students must take 3 semesters of CPMUS 2345 to count this course.
Theater / Drama
Dance / Movement
Literary Arts
NOTE: Graduate courses (GEXTH prefix) are only available to Juniors or Seniors who must have permission from their academic advisor and course instructor.
NOTE: Students planning to apply for the dual degree program will need 3 additional credits from any of the above arts courses and must show evidence of competency in at least one art form.
NOTE: Other CCRWT courses may be substituted with permission
Required Internship Sequence Coursework (19 Credits):
| CPSYC 1551 | Foundations and Systems in the Helping Professions | 3 |
| CPSYC 2551 | Concepts & Skills in Professional Practice | 4 |
| CEXTH 3801 | Expressive Arts Therapy Internship and Seminar I | 6 |
| CEXTH 4801 | Expressive Arts Therapy Internship and Seminar II | 6 |
All of the above internship courses require a grade of C or better to progress to the next internship and to complete the major.
Recommended:
Liberal Arts Foundation Requirement: It is recommended that CMATH 1522 Introduction to Statistics be taken prior to CSOCS 3444, as a general education outcomes course.