Lesley University offers Master of Arts degrees in Expressive Therapies, preparing students to become Licensed Mental Health Counselors (LMHC) and certified therapists. The program uniquely integrates creativity, imagination, and expression into mental health practice. Lesley is one of the few universities nationwide to offer specializations in all five expressive therapy modalities: Art Therapy, Dance/Movement Therapy, Drama Therapy, Expressive Arts Therapy, and Music Therapy within the same academic department, fostering an interdisciplinary and art-infused approach. Graduates are equipped to guide individuals, groups, and communities toward improved mental health.
The Master's program requires 60 credits, including core counseling, clinical experience, specialization, and elective credits. Students can choose from five distinct specializations. The program can be pursued in an on-campus or low-residency format, both typically completed over three years.
Lesley University is committed to career preparation that extends beyond graduation. The university offers resources for alumni and professionals, including lifelong licensure support, continuing education opportunities, and an alumni listserv.
The program may not fully align with licensure requirements in all US states. Consult the Licensure and Credentialing webpage for more details.
Tuition and living costs are not specified on the provided pages.
Art Therapy: Accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) upon recommendation of the Accreditation Council for Art Therapy Education (ACATE). Drama Therapy: Accredited by the North American Drama Therapy Association (NADTA).
Lesley University offers five specializations: Art Therapy, Dance/Movement Therapy, Drama Therapy, Expressive Arts Therapy, and Music Therapy. This allows students to focus on a specific expressive modality within mental health practice.
The Master's program typically takes three years to complete for both on-campus and low-residency formats. It requires a total of 60 credits.
Graduates are prepared for roles such as Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC), Certified Art Therapist, Registered Dance Movement Therapist (RDMT), Registered Drama Therapist (RDT), Registered Expressive Arts Therapist (REAT), or Board Certified Music Therapist (MT-BC).
The program has a start date of June 1st. Students typically complete the 60-credit curriculum over three years.
The 60-credit program includes 27 core counseling credits, 12 clinical experience credits, 12 specialization credits, and 6 elective credits. Students also complete over 900 hours of supervised field work.