Creative Arts Therapies, PhD
The PhD in Creative Arts Therapies is a research degree program for art therapists, dance/movement therapists and music therapists who are interested in pursuing advanced scholarship and assuming academic leadership in their discipline. The primary mission of the program is the cultivation of scholars and academic leaders in the creative arts therapies who can:
- Generate and disseminate relevant, robust, rigorous research
- Contribute to theory evaluation and building
- Develop evidence-based best clinical practices
- Cultivate academic proficiency in educating the next generation of art therapists, dance/movement therapists and music therapists
The PhD program consists of four interactive learning modules plus a dissertation.
Degree | Availability | Location |
---|---|---|
PhD |
Full-Time |
Philadelphia |
Application Requirements
On-Campus Program
Fall (Sept) | Winter (Jan) | Spring (March) | Summer (June) | |
---|---|---|---|---|
U. S. Students |
Jan. 15 (priority*) |
N/A | N/A | N/A |
International Students | Jan. 15 (priority*) | N/A | N/A | N/A |
For details regarding the items below, please review the Admission Application Instructions.
How to Submit Application Materials
Drexel Admissions is currently processing application documents received through the U.S. Postal Service and courier services (DHL, FedEx, UPS, etc.), although there is a slight delay in processing these documents. We strongly recommend that you submit all official transcripts and supporting documentation electronically to enroll@drexel.edu. If your school is not able to send official transcripts electronically, please request that official documents be sent by mail or courier service. Please allow 3–4 weeks for transcripts and supporting documents sent by mail or courier to be processed. We appreciate your patience during this unprecedented time at Drexel and around the world. We will process all documents as soon as we receive them, but please expect some delays.Degree Requirements
A Master's degree in art therapy, dance/movement therapy, music therapy or expressive therapies.GPA
Minimum Master's GPA of 3.5 or international equivalent.Research Experience
- Documented graduate-level research courses with a minimum grade of "B."
- Documentation of having conducted or collaborated on a research project.
Clinical Practice
At least 2 years of full-time equivalent of creative arts therapies clinical practice preferred.Professional Credentialing
Professional credentialing in the discipline required.Transcripts
Official transcripts from all institutions attended for Master's and Bachelor's degree studies must be sent directly from the institutions to Drexel's Enrollment Management department by postal mail at: Drexel University, Application Processing, PO Box 34789. Philadelphia, PA 19101 or electronically to enroll@drexel.eduLetters of Recommendation
Three letters of recommendation are required as a part of the application process. The letters should be from individuals who can address the applicant's aptitudes for research and scholarship. Recommendation letters should also address the applicant's maturity, initiative and commitment to higher level education. Letters of recommendation can be requested and submitted through the online application.
CV/Resume
Should provide a concise overview of relevant professional and education experience. Please upload the resume/CV directly into your online application.
Admissions Essay
The admissions essay is an important part of the application and writing proficiency assessment process. Please upload the essay directly into your online application. The essay consists of two parts:
- Reasons for Application: Briefly describe 1) your professional background, 2) your reasons for applying to the PhD program and 3) your academic and career goals. Please limit this section to one page, single-spaced.
- Research Interests: Please write a brief paper describing 1 or 2 areas of interest for your own research. Please include references to scholarly publications related to your areas of interest. This paper should be written in academic voice, adhere to APA style and be no more than two pages, single-spaced.
International Students
- English Proficiency Requirement
International applicants whose native language is not English must show proficiency in English speaking as well as listening, writing and reading. Applicants must submit either a TOEFLiBT exam score (minimum of 100), Duolingo English Test score (minimum of 130), or IELTS score (minimum of 7.0).
Test scores may be waived if your bachelor’s or master’s degree is from a college in the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, or Ireland; or your bachelor’s degree is from one of the following countries where English was the language of instruction: Australia, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Bermuda, Botswana, British West Indies, Brunei Darussalam, Canada, Eswatini, Ethiopia, The Gambia, Ghana, Ireland, Jamaica, Lesotho, Liberia, Malawi, Malta, Mauritius, New Zealand, Nigeria, Papua New Guinea, Sierra Leone, Singapore, South Africa, Tanzania, Trinidad/Tobago, Uganda, United Kingdom (England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales), United States territories (American Samoa, Guam, Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico and US Virgin Islands), Virgin Islands, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
- Transcript Evaluation
If you previously attended college outside of the United States, an official course-by-course transcript evaluation is required. You are responsible for contacting your previous schools and requesting that official transcripts be sent to a current NACES-member agency for evaluation.
Interview
Following the initial screening of the application materials, qualified applicants may be invited for an interview with the PhD in Creative Arts Therapies faculty. Interviews are scheduled in-person at our University City Philadelphia campus or remotely via Zoom.