Expressive Arts therapy is a mental health discipline that uses creative expression to support emotional, cognitive, and social well-being. Whether you’re an educator, healthcare professional, or working artist, studying expressive arts therapy can help you expand your skills and connect with others in deeper, more intentional ways.
If you’re exploring expressive arts therapy schools online, it’s important to ask the right questions before committing to a program. The right fit can elevate your impact and shape your future in powerful ways.
Start with these five key questions as you compare online expressive arts therapy schools and what they offer.
1. Does the Program Align With Your Professional Goals?
Expressive Arts therapy intersects with many fields, including education, counseling, social work, healthcare, and the arts. Before selecting a program, think carefully about your end goal.
- Are you hoping to supplement your current work with therapeutic art practices?
- Are you looking to deepen your understanding of creative interventions that support emotional well-being?
Knowing your path will help you find a program with the right structure, outcomes, and credentials.
Maine College of Art & Design’s Graduate Certificate in Expressive Arts Therapy is designed for professionals who want to apply expressive arts in real-world settings, whether that’s a classroom, clinic, or community space, while gaining skills that support both personal and professional growth.
2. Who Teaches the Courses?
Instructor experience can significantly shape your learning experience, especially in an expressive discipline like arts therapy. When researching programs, look into the faculty’s professional backgrounds.
- Are they practicing art therapists, educators, or community-based artists?
- Do they bring real-world experience into the virtual classroom?
At Maine College of Art & Design, courses are taught by experienced faculty and leading practitioners in the field. Students join a creative cohort of artists, educators, and service professionals working in schools, museums, human services agencies, and more, creating opportunities for collaboration and real-world application.
3. Is the Online Format Flexible Enough for Your Life?
If you're researching online expressive arts therapy schools, flexibility is likely a top priority. Make sure the course schedule supports your personal and professional commitments.
- Is the program synchronous (live) or asynchronous (on your own time)?
- Will you be able to manage the workload alongside a full-time job or caregiving responsibilities?
Maine College of Art & Design’s graduate certificate is fully online and asynchronous, allowing you to complete coursework when it works for you. The program takes about 9 months and is intentionally designed for working adults who need to balance school with everyday life.
4. What Will You Actually Learn?
Not all online expressive arts therapy schools offer the same depth or approach. Some programs focus on theoretical concepts, while others emphasize hands-on methods or interdisciplinary learning.
Look for a clear breakdown of the curriculum — one that explains not just what you’ll study, but how it connects to your professional goals.
Maine College of Art & Design’s curriculum uses a holistic, multi-modal approach rooted in expressive arts practice. Courses include:
- Emotional Intelligence & Artistic Learning
- Resilient Learning Environments
- Theoretical Foundations and Methods of Expressive Arts Therapies
- Adaptive Art: Fostering Inclusive Creative Practices
These courses prepare you to facilitate inclusive, emotionally supportive, and creatively rich experiences across settings, from schools and studios to therapeutic and community environments.
5. How Can These Skills Enhance Your Current Work?
One of the most compelling reasons to explore art therapy schools online is the versatility of expressive arts training. Whether you work in education, social services, healthcare, or the arts, creative therapeutic skills can elevate your ability to support others and yourself.
The Graduate Certificate in Expressive Arts Therapy at Maine College of Art & Design equips you to:
- Facilitate emotional expression and empathy through artistic activities and visual storytelling
- Create inclusive, adaptive environments that support neurodivergent learners and diverse communities
- Use creative tools to manage stress, burnout, and behavioral challenges in both individual and group settings
- Enhance your current role, whether you’re a teacher, counselor, nonprofit leader, or artist, with strategies that promote well-being and connection
- Design meaningful art-based experiences that invite reflection, healing, and resilience
This isn’t just about adding a credential. It’s about gaining tools that make your work more human-centered, emotionally aware, and creatively impactful.
FAQs About Studying Expressive Arts Therapy Online
What is expressive arts therapy, and how does it work?
Expressive arts therapy is a therapeutic practice that uses visual and creative expression to help individuals process emotions, build self-awareness, and support mental well-being. Guided by trained professionals, participants engage in activities like drawing, painting, movement, or music to explore thoughts and feelings in a supportive environment.
Can I study art therapy online effectively?
Yes. Many art therapy schools online offer structured, interactive coursework that combines theory with creative exploration. While hands-on work is often done independently, online programs can still foster deep learning through virtual discussions, reflective exercises, and project-based assignments.
What careers can benefit from expressive arts therapy training?
Training in expressive arts therapy can enhance careers in education, counseling, social work, healthcare, and the arts. Even if you’re not pursuing licensure, gaining skills in expressive arts can help you create more inclusive, emotionally attuned, and supportive environments across a range of professional contexts.
Use Creativity to Make a Meaningful Impact
If you’re ready to apply expressive arts in a way that supports emotional well-being, creative growth, and inclusive connection, the Graduate Certificate in Expressive Arts Therapy offers the structure and support to help you begin. Our fully online, 12-credit program is intentionally designed for working professionals and can be completed in about nine months.
Planning to continue your studies? Credits from the certificate can be applied toward the online Master of Arts in Education, giving you the option to build on your skills within the same creative, supportive learning community.
Request info to see how our online arts therapy program can help you move forward with confidence.
Please note that this program does not lead to art therapy certification. Individuals seeking to become certified art therapists must complete a graduate-level art therapy program and meet supervised clinical training requirements, as outlined by the Art Therapy Credentials Board (ATCB). For more information, visit the ATCB website.