Start your master's degree in Expressive Therapies as an undergraduate.
Learn how to use creative expression to promote health and well-being in others. Discover the power of creative arts in the healing process. Gain the academic requirements and clinical experience needed to become a registered art therapist or expressive arts therapist.
These are the skills you'll develop in one of our dual degree programs in expressive therapies. Combine the curriculum from your undergraduate major—a BS in Art Therapy or BS in Expressive Arts Therapy—with a Master of Arts (MA) program in Clinical Mental Health Counseling focusing on Art Therapy, Expressive Arts Therapy, or Dance/Movement Therapy.
Three licensure-oriented accelerated dual degree options:
- BS in Art Therapy & MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling: Art Therapy
- BS in Expressive Arts Therapy & MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling: Expressive Arts Therapy
- BS in Expressive Arts Therapy with Dance/Movement specialization & MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling: Dance/Movement Therapy
All three graduate programs are 60 credits, putting you on the path toward becoming a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) in Massachusetts—a credential that qualifies counselors to practice independently.
How It Works
All Expressive Therapies graduate programs are 60 credits. By completing some graduate credits as an undergraduate student, you'll save both time and money.
- Complete 24–27 of your graduate program's 60 credits in your junior and senior year. These credits are included in your undergraduate tuition.
- Finish the remaining 33–36 credits after senior year, at the graduate tuition rate.
- Earn both degrees in about 6 1/2 years of full-time study. This is about a year faster than if you entered Lesley as a graduate student.
- Save an additional $14,280 on graduate tuition with the Lesley Dividend award (12 free graduate credits) for a total of up to 65% off your graduate tuition.
- Because this is a dual degree program, you'll receive your BS and MA at the same time (one diploma), once you complete the requirements for the master's degree.
Eligibility & Applying
These honors-level dual degree programs are for exceptional students who have demonstrated a high level of academic potential and proficiency in the arts. We're also looking for students who can achieve a level of introspection and cultural awareness needed to engage in clinical work.
Other qualities for admission include:
- Empathy and compassion
- Psychological strength to work with different populations
- Organized, independent, and motivated
- Ability to handle complexity
- Conceptual literacy
- Willingness to take creative risks
- Experience using a variety of art forms
Application Requirements
Apply for the program by late September of your junior year. Transfer students may follow an alternate timeline with a late December or early January application deadline. You must be accepted for admission by the Department of Graduate Expressive Therapies within Lesley's Graduate School of Arts and Social Sciences.
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BS/MA Art Therapy
- 3.3 GPA
- 12 credits of specific psychology courses (with a B or better)
- 18 credits of studio art courses
- Portfolio with 15 slides of your artwork in a variety of media
- 3-credit course in Principles of Art Therapy (or equivalent)
- Letter of academic support from the undergraduate faculty advisor or the Art Therapy undergraduate program coordinator, or from core faculty in your department in consultation with the Art Therapy program coordinator
- Successful admissions interview
- View the details for these admissions criteria.
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BS/MA Expressive Arts Therapy
- 3.3 GPA
- 6 credits of specific psychology courses (with a B or better)
- 12 credits of arts courses
- Portfolio demonstrating proficiency in a form of creative expression
- Letter of academic support from the undergraduate faculty advisor, the undergraduate Expressive Arts Therapy Program Coordinator, or recommendation from core faculty in your department in consultation with the Expressive Arts Therapy Program Coordinator
- Letter of recommendation from an internship site supervisor or work supervisor in a human services setting
- Successful admissions interview
- View the details for these admissions criteria.
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BS Expressive Arts Therapy/MA Dance & Movement Therapy
This dual degree program is for undergraduate Expressive Arts Therapy majors specializing in Dance/Movement Therapy.
- 3.3 GPA
- 6 credits of psychology courses (with B or better)
- 12 credits of arts courses
- Dance background
- Portfolio demonstrating proficiency in dance (DVD of dance/dramatic performance)
- Letter of academic support from the undergraduate faculty advisor, the undergraduate Expressive Arts Therapy Program Coordinator, or recommendation from core faculty in your department in consultation with the Expressive Arts Therapy Program Coordinator
- Letter of recommendation from an internship site supervisor or work supervisor in a human services setting
- Successful admissions interview
- View the details for these admissions criteria.
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