Certificate of Graduate Studies in the Professional Applications of the Expressive and Creative Arts

A Certificate of Graduate Studies (CGS) in The Professional Applications of the Expressive and Creative Arts is being offered through the Graduate Program in Holistic Counseling. This program is specifically designed for individuals who do not have a master’s degree in Holistic Counseling from Salve Regina University (or its equivalent), but instead have a master’s degree or bachelor’s degree in psychology, social work, counseling, medical caregiving, education, or a related field from another university and would like to learn how to incorporate the expressive and creative arts into their professional work.

The focus in this Certificate of Graduate Studies program is on the integration of the visual arts with dance/movement, sound/music, and expressive writing as a tool for transformation and the evolution of consciousness. While consideration is given to all modalities and how they can be used in holistic counseling as well as a variety of other professional applications, this program is primarily based on the visual arts. Emphasis is given to the theoretical applications of each modality, and the scientific basis that supports the integration of the expressive arts and creative arts into multiple contexts. The program offers students an opportunity for hands-on personal work. The ability to participate in this experiential work is an essential aspect of the program.

Prerequisites
The prerequisites for the certificate may be fulfilled by taking either of the following three courses: HLC581: Introduction to Expressive Sound; HLC582: Transformation through the Expressive and Creative Arts; and HLC584: Movement, Creativity, and Consciousness: An Introduction, or by completing the three-weekend noncredit educational training program in the Professional Applications of the Expressive and Creative Arts offered by the Expressive Arts Institute.

To register for any expressive and creative arts elective course requires permission of the Program Coordinator, since they are all prerequisites for the CAGS/CGS program in the Expressive and Creative Arts.
If a student falls below a minimum 3.30 (B+) grade point average in any one of the three prerequisite expressive arts courses, he/she will not be allowed to take any further expressive arts courses unless an exception is made by the Program Coordinator on a case-by-case basis.

Students must apply for admission to the Expressive Arts Institute noncredit program through the Program Coordinator.

Admissions Criteria
Students must apply for admission into this CGS program through the Graduate Studies Office. Acceptance is competitive and based on a minimum 3.0 (B) cumulative grade point average on the graduate or undergraduate transcript and a minimum 3.30 (B+) grade point average in each prerequisite expressive arts course as it is completed. Students who have successfully completed the Expressive Arts Institute noncredit program in lieu of the three prerequisite courses must have a satisfactory recommendation from each of the expressive arts faculty in that program. Students must also have the ability to fulfill the requirements of the program according to accepted standards of the profession as deemed essential by the expressive arts faculty.

The application process includes an official transcript of the master’s or bachelor’s degree, a transcript of the completed prerequisite courses, or the recommendation of the Program Coordinator and expressive arts faculty if the Expressive Arts Institute is the substitute prerequisite, along with a nonrefundable application fee.

Curriculum (Five Courses/15 Credits)

HLC604: Self Discovery through the Expressive and Creative Arts (3 credits)
HLC610: An Intermodal Approach to the Expressive and Creative Arts as Transformation (3 credits)
HLC611: Group Applications of the Expressive and Creative Arts (3 credits)
HLC613: Introduction to Expressive Writing (3 credits)
HLC615: Utilizing Expressive Sound/Music and Theater Arts (3 credits)