Expressive Arts Therapy Certificate
The Expressive Arts Therapy Certificate is a fully online, 9-hour certificate program designed to provide students from different mental health educational backgrounds with the opportunity to broaden their scope of practice; thus, increasing counseling skills and increasing job opportunities by helping practitioners become more competitive in the job market. This program is for master's- or doctoral-level mental health providers as well as current graduate level counseling/mental health students. Students who complete this master’s level, online certificate will be able to provide enhanced expressive arts therapies.
Expressive Arts Therapy Certificate information flyer
Admission requirements
Meets all UTRGV Graduate College admission requirements; and be either a:
- Current graduate student in a counseling or related program in their final semester, or
- Graduate of a graduate-level counseling or related programs. (Relevant counseling programs include rehabilitation counseling, school counseling, clinical psychology, addictions/substance abuse counseling, and other mental health counseling discipline.)
| EXAR 7310 | Principles of Expressive Arts |
| EXAR 7321 | Expressive Arts Modalities |
| EXAR 7331 | Expressive Arts Special Populations |
| Spring | Summer I | Summer II | Fall |
| January 5th | May 25th | June 30th | August 5th |
To learn more about the Expressive Arts, contact Dr. Kim L. Nguyen-Finn at kim.finn01@utrgv.edu or (956) 665-5244.
Or visit the Graduate College Expressive Arts Therapy Certificate page to read more and Apply today.
How to Apply to the Graduate Certificate in Expressive Arts Program
Course Descriptions
7310 Principles of Expressive Arts
This course explores the principles if therapeutic use in expressive therapy. Students will review expressive arts philosophy, history, theory, and practices using creative writing, visual arts, and performance arts in processes of personal growth, healing, and change. Parallels between creative and therapeutic processes as well as the role of creativity in healing generally are covered. The class includes lectures, demonstrations, and experiential activities.
7321 Expressive Arts Modalities
The expressive arts therapy modalities associated with a variety of approaches will be explored in this course. These include the use of imagery, mindfulness, painting, sculpture, writing, literature, dance, movement, drama, and music. Students will learn the history and theoretical application of using expressive arts modalities in therapy with specific populations. Students will also develop a comprehensive written plan for creating, administering, and managing healing experiences using various approaches.
7331 Expressive Arts Special Populations
This course explores the use of expressive arts across special populations such as LGBTQIA+, substance use, trauma, persons with disabilities, children/adolescents, and geriatric populations across individual, couples, family, and group interventions. The course also covers approaches for identifying specific expressive arts modalities for use with special populations and address professional and ethical issues within the use of expressive arts.