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Online Master's in Therapeutic Arts Psychology

Combine Psychology and the Creative Arts to Help People Thrive

100% Online

Four Semesters

36 Credit Hours

$857 per Credit

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Support Healing by Blending Creative Expression and Psychological Strategies

  • Apply By: 05/18/26
  • Start Class: 05/18/26

Harness the power of the expressive arts to help people move past challenges and trauma to progress in their personal development. The Master of Arts in Psychology – Therapeutic Arts Psychology online program from Carlow University teaches you how to utilize creativity as part of psychological treatment for more positive outcomes. 

This online program explores the cognitive and psychological mechanisms behind all forms of creativity, including visual arts, therapeutic writing, storytelling and imaginative exploration. Online courses are taught by supportive, experienced faculty who are committed to your success and bring a diverse, multi-disciplinary perspective to your studies. This innovative program has a strong focus on experiential learning.  

Program Benefits

  • Study anytime with asynchronous courses 
  • Flexible program can be completed on full-time or part-time basis 
  • Gain immediately applicable strategies and skills  
  • Excellent preparation for doctoral study 
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Explore our Diverse Therapeutic Arts Courses

Focused on experiential learning, coursework explores the interwoven cognitive nature of thinking, motivation and creativity. You will learn how to research, design and implement therapeutic arts exercises to benefit diverse populations, and examine evidence-based research that documents the healing power of storytelling.  

Therapeutic Arts Psychology Required Courses  

This course will focus on advanced, integrative theories’ application for processes that facilitate thinking, motivation, and creativity. In-depth conceptualizations of flow, optimal experience, and problem-finding processes will be explored. Intended for students pursuing graduate-level coursework in education and/or psychology, this course will move beyond understanding cognitive theories of consciousness and toward facilitating optimal experience through flow. Thinking, motivation, and creativity are conceptualized as highly complex, interwoven aspects of flow. As such, the whole self will be integrated in this learning experience. Particular emphasis will be placed on fostering experiential learning through hands-on opportunities to practice both intrapersonal and interpersonal creativity.

This graduate-level MAP course covers the theory and research that inform the roots and contemporary practice of therapeutic art approaches and techniques across settings as related to the most predominant models of treatment in the United States (CBT, Humanistic, Psychodynamic, Narrative, Group). Developmental stages of creativity, special populations, settings of practice, and goal setting for art therapy integrated with traditional forms of psychotherapy will be explored in-depth. Students will have opportunity for additional practice with researching, designing, and implementing exercises in other therapeutic arts of interest.

This graduate-level MAP course provides students with the opportunity to integrate an understanding of the history of the field (within academic institutions, but also via non-structured environments), to study works of literature that deal with mental health issues, and to have hands-on workshop experience with creative writing that can enhance personal healing. Students will also consider the effects of mental health on the generation of artistic products.

In addition to these specialization courses, you will also complete core courses, clinicals, research and applied psychology courses, and electives tailored to your interests. This flexible program provides a wide range of courses to choose from to fulfill curriculum requirements.  

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Develop Unique Skillsets and Expand Your Career Options with This Psychology Master’s Online Program

Prepare for fulfilling roles working with diverse individuals in a wide range of settings, from community wellness and rehabilitation centers to after-school programs and therapeutic arts workshops. The job growth for psychologists is projected at 6 percent per year through 2034, double the national average.1

Projected annual job openings for psychologists are estimated at 11,800 through 2034, while the projection for all community and social services job openings is 313,700 per year. 2 

Mental Health Counselor $75,386 per year3

Rehabilitation Coordinator $54,031 per year4

Career Outlook

Explore More MA in Psychology Specializations  

The knowledge and skills you will develop in Carlow’s psychology master’s degree online program are applicable to a wide range of roles across diverse industries. If you’re seeking a particular field of psychological study, Carlow University offers a variety of MA in Psychology specializations. Explore your options and choose the one that best fits your interests and professional goals.    

Psychology, MA: Assessment Psychology

Develop psychological measurement skills to assess, diagnose and support individuals. Learn how to interpret and apply complex data to inform treatment.

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Psychology, MA: Forensic Psychology

Learn psychological theories and applications relevant to criminal and civil law. Prepare for impactful careers that involve both mental health and the justice system.

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Psychology, MA: Treatment Psychology

Develop critical skills to assess, diagnose and implement effective treatment interventions that benefit individuals, couples, families and communities.

View Program

Frequently Asked Questions

Explore our frequently asked questions for in-depth answers. If you don’t find what you’re looking for, reach out to us.

To apply for one of the programs, submit your application and transcripts, along with any other required information. Apply now.

The program is 36 total credits, including nine specialization credits. The program can be completed in as few as four semesters. 

You do not have to pick a specialization and can use electives to tailor the program to your professional interests. 

You can move from one specialization to another. However, each specialization has individual course requirements. 

You may incur costs beyond tuition, such as textbooks, supplies and other fees. Take these costs into consideration as you budget for your education. 

Sources

  1. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. “Psychologists.” Retrieved Nov. 13, 2025, from https://www.bls.gov/. 
  2. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. “Community and Social Service Occupations.” Retrieved Nov. 13, 2025, from https://www.bls.gov/. 
  3. ZipRecruiter. “Licensed Mental Health Counselor Salary.” Retrieved Dec. 2, 2025, from https://www.ziprecruiter.com/.  
  4. ZipRecruiter. “Rehabilitation Coordinator Salary.” Retrieved Dec. 2, 2025, from https://www.ziprecruiter.com/.