Our Master of Science Creative Arts Therapy Program is the only program of its kind in the region. Upon completion of this program, you will earn a Master of Science in Creative Arts Therapy degree with a specialization in Art Therapy or Music Therapy. As part of the offered training, creative art therapy students have the option of taking 3 electives specializing in Play Therapy or Yoga Therapy. This adds to their tool box when working with various patient populations post graduation. Should students wish to pursue play therapy certification, an additional 6 credits of study is offered post graduation.

Key to the strength and success of the program is our faculty, all of whom are licensed mental health professionals. Throughout the program you'll work with and collaborate with this group of professionals who continually demonstrate excellence in teaching, practice, research, publishing, and service. Beyond the accomplishments and publications of the entire faculty, the Creative Arts Therapy Department houses an eclectic mix of instructors from the following fields:

• Art Therapy
• Music Therapy
• Marriage and Family Therapy
• Dance / Movement Therapy
• Mental Health Counseling
• Play Therapy
• Reiki Treatment
• Yoga Therapy

Art Therapy Specialization
Save the Date: Interview date for Applicants is 2/17/2012

(Click here for Art Therapy Admission Information)

Art therapy is an established mental health profession that uses the creative process of art making to improve and enhance the physical, mental and emotional well-being of individuals of all ages. It is based on the belief that the creative process involved in artistic self-expression helps people to resolve conflicts and problems, develop interpersonal skills, manage behavior, reduce stress, increase self-esteem and self-awareness, and achieve insight.

Art therapists advance cognitive, emotional, physical and spiritual repair and are licensed professionals trained in both Art and Psychology. They are skilled in various art media, and qualified practitioners in assessment, diagnosis, research and treatment. They provide diagnostic information and consultation to allied health professionals.

Music Therapy Specialization

(Click here for Music Therapy Admission Information)

Music therapy is an established healthcare profession that uses music in the context of a therapeutic relationship to address the physical, emotional, cognitive and social needs of individuals of all ages. Through comprehensive supervision by expert music therapy faculty and extensive interdisciplinary clinical experiences both on and off-campus, Nazareth’s music therapy program teaches students to become highly skilled practitioners with expertise in assessment, treatment and professional collaboration.

This specialization offers you an opportunity to gain and refine skills in an interdisciplinary, personalized setting. The on-campus clinic serves children and adults and music therapy is provided as a stand-alone service or in co-treatment with Physical Therapy, Speech Therapy, and Art Therapy. Further diverse clinical experience is possible because of the over 50 music therapists working in the greater Rochester area.

Program Highlights

• Personal and professional growth – The program fosters personal and professional development through diverse clinical experience, rigorous supervision, quality research, and a commitment to self-awareness, reflective practice, and interprofessional collaboration.
• Diversity - Receive a diverse education with a wide range of media, settings and populations.
• Hands-on experience - Theories learned in the classroom are directly applied in clinical work with clients in more than 60 internship opportunities. In addition, there is an on-campus art therapy clinic, a music therapy clinic and a play therapy clinic which serve a wide range of clients, including aphasia and burn survivors.
• Strong faculty – All faculty are licensed mental health professionals.
• Excellent placement - Job placement is very strong. In fact, our graduates are normally able to find employment in their chosen fields in as few as six months after graduation. Many of our students find work in the surrounding region with such organizations as the Rochester Psychiatric Center, Hillside Children's Center, Jewish Home, and others.
• Accredited - The Creative Arts Therapy Department has been approved as licensed-designated by the New York State Education Department. The Arts Therapy Program is accredited and approved by the American Art Therapy Association, Inc., and as such meets the educational standards of the profession.