PhD in Creative Arts in Therapy

Admission Requirements

Applicants for the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) Program in  Creative Arts in Therapy are screened based upon the required application documents plus a personal interview by the faculty. The application documents and interview are designed to assess the applicants aptitudes and commitment to advanced academic achievement and the development of scholarship. To that end, the application must document the following requirements for each candidate:

Degree
Masters Degree in Art Therapy, Dance/Movement Therapy, Music Therapy, or Expressive Therapies.

Pre-Requisites (in addition to or included in Master’s degree)-

  • 6 semester  (9 quarter) credits equivalent in graduate level Research coursework.
  • 3 semester  (4 quarter) credits equivalent of graduate coursework in Multiculturalism, Anthropology,  or Sociology.

Research Education and Training
The PhD in Creative Arts in Therapy is a research degree. Consequently it is essential that those entering the program demonstrate foundational education and experience in research.  

  • Documented research courses with a grade of no less than a ‘B’.
  • Documentation of having conducted one research project. This can be a master’s thesis project or post-master’s research.

Scores and GPA

  • GRE with scores of 1100/4.0  or MAT  with scores of 396 or above.
  • GPA of 3.5 or above from the master’s degree education.

              
Clinical Experience and Credentials

  • A minimum of 3 years full-time equivalent post-master’s degree creative arts therapies clinical practice.
  • Professional Credentials including Board Certification and/or Registration in the applicant’s Creative Arts in Therapy discipline. A professional license is preferred but not required.

Academic Writing Proficiency
Central to success in the PhD program is the ability to write at a professional scholarly level. Even though this ability will develop as a result of being a doctoral student, it is essential that the applicant demonstrate having both interest in, commitment to, and aptitude for scholarly writing. To demonstrate this interest, commitment, and aptitude each applicant is being asked to comply with the following criteria. This requirement provides the  opportunity for each applicant to select the scholarly writing samples that best represent their abilities. All writing samples should be submitted in APA format,double spaced, 11-12pt. font.

  • Demonstration of scholarly writing proficiency from an academic writing sample. This could be a graded graduate writing sample or an independently authored publication.
  • Documentation of having submitted an article for a peer reviewed publication. The documentation should be in the form of a manuscript that was submitted to a journal or as a chapter in an edited book. This manuscript can also be used for the academic writing sample if it was authored solely by the applicant. If it was co-authored an additional independently authored sample is required to fulfill the requirement for demonstration of scholarly writing proficiency.

Letters of Recommendation
Three letters of recommendation are required as a part of the application process. The letters should be from individuals who can knowledgeably address the applicant’s aptitudes for scholarship and teaching. Recommenders should also address the applicant’s maturity, initiative, self-directed motivation, and commitment to higher education.

Admissions Essay

  • Describe your reasons for applying to the PhD Program, your research experience and interests and your academic and career goals. The essay should be no longer than 2 pages, 12 pt. font, double spaced.

Following the initial screening of the application materials for the initial criteria if a determination is made that the applicant meets the criteria, the applicant is scheduled  for an interview with the faculty of the Department of Creative Arts Therapies. The interview protocol includes:

  • Review of application materials and associated questions to address scholarly competencies for the program.
  • Discussion regarding the theory and practice of the creative arts therapies and the applicant’s specific discipline.
  • Discussion of the applicant’s research interests, competencies, and ideas.
  • Discussion of the applicant’s reasons and motivation for applying for doctoral education.


Please contact Mr. George Urgo, Admissions Coordinator, for additional information about the admission requirements and the application process. (215) 762-6921 or gdu23@drexel.edu.

Note: Admissions Schedule
The early priority deadline is January 15th, with rolling admissions through July 1st.

For additional information about how to apply, visit the Drexel Admissions page on PhD in Creative Arts in Therapy.