Graduate Certificate In Expressive Art Therapy

Our Graduate Certificate in Expressive Art Therapy program employs a holistic, multi-modal approach to the professional application of expressive and creative arts. Through guided study and hands-on experiential work, students gain essential skills for practicing expressive and creative arts. Students will understand the foundational theories and principles of expressive arts therapy and their applications in various educational and therapeutic contexts. They will implement strategies that promote holistic development in students and clients, addressing emotional, cognitive, and social growth through expressive arts practices.

Additionally, students will develop and utilize creative techniques and interventions that foster emotional intelligence and empathy in diverse populations, supporting individuals in understanding and managing their emotions effectively. Whether aiming to broaden career opportunities or deepen understanding of human behavior and healing, there are many reasons why our students pursue our Graduate Certificate in Expressive Art Therapy.

Please note, our art therapy program does not lead to certification. Those seeking to become certified art therapists must pursue specific education and supervised internships, per the guidelines of the Art Therapy Credentials Board (ATCB). For more information, please visit the ATCB website.

The Graduate Certificate in Expressive Art Therapy requires a minimum of 12 credits

Required Courses

Understand the foundational theories and principles of expressive arts therapy and their applications in various educational and therapeutic contexts.

Implement strategies that promote holistic development in students and clients, addressing emotional, cognitive, and social growth through expressive arts practices.

Develop and utilize creative techniques and interventions that foster emotional intelligence and empathy in diverse populations, supporting individuals in understanding and managing their emotions effectively.

Develop and employ a comprehensive toolkit of expressive and adaptive art techniques and activities designed to meet learners and clients where they are, facilitating personalized and impactful therapeutic or educational experiences.

Explore and pursue new professional opportunities in the fields of art education, classroom teaching, human services, and fine arts, leveraging the specialized training provided by the certificate program.

Apply Now

Fall 2025: July 15, 2025

Spring 2026: December 1, 2025

Special: Applications are accepted on a rolling basis with priority consideration for applicants who submit applications and supplemental materials by deadlines.

Application fee: $70

Campus: Online

*NO GRE required

Personal Statement

Please submit a personal statement of no more than 750 words that describes your academic background, professional experiences, and personal motivations that have led you to pursue this graduate program and how you envision the program helping you achieve your long-term career goals.

References: Two Required

As part of your application, we require two professional recommenders to complete an Endorsement Form. We recommend choosing individuals familiar with your academic or professional experience and who can speak to your strengths, achievements, and potential for success in graduate school. Recommendations submitted by relatives or friends will not be accepted. Once you have identified your recommenders, you will need to provide their contact information in your application portal. Each recommender will then receive an email with a link to complete the Endorsement Form.

Resume

A current Résumé or Curriculum Vitae is required with your submitted application.

Transcripts

Applicants should have a 3.0 grade point average (GPA) or above from all previous degrees held. You can either submit unofficial transcripts in the application portal as a PDF attachment, or request official college transcripts to be sent electronically to graduateadmissions@meca.edu, or to the following address: Maine College of Art & Design Attn: Graduate Admissions 522 Congress Street Portland, Maine 04101. If admitted, you must request an official transcript be sent directly to our office from the Registrar's Office from each college/university attended. We accept transcripts both electronically and in hard copy:

• Electronic Transcripts: Please have your institution send the transcript directly to graduateadmissions@meca.edu. Please note that we can only accept copies sent directly from the institution.
• Paper Transcripts: Please send hard copies of transcripts to: Maine College of Art & Design Attn: Graduate Admissions 522 Congress Street Portland, Maine 04101.
• You may request transcripts be sent to us directly from the institution or you may send them yourself as long as they remain sealed in the original university envelope.

International Applicants

Prospective international students are required to submit TOEFL, IELTS, or equivalent examination scores. English Language Exams may be waived if English is your first language. We welcome international applicants, but please note that this is an online program. Any program that is conducted primarily online is not eligible for a student visa for study, but students may enroll at a distance or study under a different eligible visa type.

Proof of English Language Proficiency

Non-native English-speaking international applicants must submit proof of English language proficiency. Demonstration of a sufficient level of proficiency is a prerequisite for admission. The following are acceptable forms of documentation and their minimum test scores, if applicable:

• Written TOEFL Test: 550
• Internet TOEFL Test: 79
• Pearson PTE Test: 53
• International English Language Testing System (IELTS): 6.5
• Duolingo English Test: 100
• Graduation from a US high school with at least two (2) years of high school English, not in conjunction with English as a Second Language (ESL), and documentation of a B average or higher.
• Completion of two (2) consecutive semesters of English Composition taken at a regionally accredited US college while carrying a full-time course load and not in conjunction with ESL. A minimum grade of B is required in each semester.
• Completion of the equivalent of two (2) years at an English speaking higher education institution and a minimum 3.0 GPA. A school official should provide a written statement that English is their primary language of instruction as documentation.

Questions

For program-specific application questions, please contact online@meca.edu.

Tuition and fees:

Cost Per Credit: $720

Technology Fee: $100 per e-term

Click HERE for additional information.

Financial Aid Office: Click HERE or email finaid@meca.edu.

Maine College of Art & Design is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE). The College’s accreditation status was renewed in 2016.

The New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE) is the regional accreditation agency for colleges and universities in New England as well as with International schools. NECHE accreditation attests to a school's high quality and integrity.

Accreditation, which is voluntary, indicates that an institution has met an external set of criteria for the programs it offers, and adheres to threshold standards as a foundation for academic strength and operational integrity. It can be helpful in the transfer of credits from one institution to another.

Maine College of Art & Design also belongs to the Association of Independent Colleges of Art and Design (AICAD), a non-profit consortium of 42 leading art schools in the United States and Canada.

Inquiries regarding the College’s accreditation should be directed to Melissa Sullivan, Executive Assistant to the President, telephone 207.699.5043 / email msullivan@meca.edu.

Contact

New England Commission of Higher Education
3 Burlington Woods Drive, Suite 100
Burlington, MA
01803-4514
781.425.7785
info@neche.org

1. How strict is the policy regarding elective courses and can I transfer in any I have taken outside of Maine College of Art & design or courses I took as a non-degree student?

The program allows for flexibility in regard to course offerings. Students can request to transfer in a maximum of two graduate level courses (6 credits) taken outside of Maine College of Art & Design from an accredited college or university, with the program director’s approval. Students must have earned at least a “B” in each course. These courses cannot have been used in obtaining another degree.

2. Are required courses offered every semester?

Yes. Typically, one required courses are offered each e-term. This program has courses offered in four of the five e-terms. E-terms are different from the traditional Maine College of Art & Design academic calendar. The e-term schedule includes intensive eight-week courses. There are two e-terms in the Fall, two in the Spring, and one in the Summer. Each course is typically three credits and is an accelerated version of a typical 15-16 week semester course. In other words, the same amount of material is covered, but in a shorter time span. It is recommended that you work with your program director to determine how many courses per e-term are best for you and your circumstance.

3. Do I need to register for two courses each semester or can I register for 1 (choose 1 e-term each semester)?

Students are not required to register for each e-term and many choose to register for one course each Fall and Spring semester. This means you can register for e-term 1 OR 2 in the Fall and e-term 3 OR 4 in the Spring. However, this will lengthen the time to program completion.

Link to the Online Academic Calendar: HERE

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