About the Department
 
The Department of Creative Arts Therapies offers three graduate level programs: 
 
  • Master of Arts program, options: Art Therapy and Drama Therapy
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  • Graduate Certificate in Music Therapy
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    A new Master of Arts program, option: Music Therapy is anticipated for September 2010. The program for each creative art modality has been designed in accordance with the current philosophy and standards of education in its therapeutic discipline, and with the objective of obtaining approved educational status by the granting therapeutic arts association. The founding Art Therapy Option currently holds an "Approved Status" from the American Art Therapy Association. The Drama Therapy Option has been approved by the Education Commitee of the National Association for Drama Therapy in November 2000. A Music Therapy Option is being designed to meet the educational requirements of the Canadian Association for Music Therapy and the American Music Therapy Association. The latter organization was formed in 1998 from the merging of the National Association for Music Therapy and the American Association for Music Therapy in the United States. Approval will be sought when the program is in full operation. 
     
    Concordia is the only Canadian university to offer full professional, master's level training in the creative arts therapies. Its commitment to maintaining the integrity of each therapeutic art modality while fostering a working understanding of the principles of the allied arts in therapy enables graduates to establish innovative, interdisciplinary, therapeutic partnerships in the workplace. The master's program has been instrumental in the expansion of this growing field by setting vocational standards, producing trained professionals, and promoting awareness of the benefits of the arts therapies among health care administrators.  
     
    The program is international in scope, combining theoretical approaches developed in Great Britain, France and the United States. Students have published and presented papers and workshops at international conferences. The program attracts students from across North America and Europe, including teachers of the arts, special education specialists, therapists, social workers and counselors. 
     
    Opportunities For Interdisciplinary Learning in the Creative Arts Therapies 
    Opportunities for experiential exploration of the theories and practices of creative arts therapies other than the student's chosen Option are provided through elective courses within the program. In the current program, CATS 638 Studio Media and Practice for Creative Arts Therapists will be offered to students of all Options, providing them with an introduction to the concepts and techniques of the other creative arts therapies, with the goal of enabling informed team practice. Electives in music therapy, dance/movement therapy, and poetry therapy are also offered, though not all are made available each year. 
     
    The practicum site of The Centre for the Arts in Human Development offers students the unique opportunity to experience the shared and diverging methods and perspectives which the creative arts therapies provide when employed in one therapeutic setting. Similar, if less extensive, opportunities may develop at other practicum sites accepting students from several modalities. 
     
    Department of Creative Arts Therapies 
    Mission Statement and Goals