Drexel University Ph.D. in Creative Arts Therapies

03/04/2026

We are excited to share a new publication by Lynn Gumert, PhD candidate: An Arts-Based Inquiry into Autistic Meltdown. Voices: A World Forum for Music Therapy, 26(1). https://doi.org/10.15845/voices.v26i1.4463
Congratulations, Lynn, on this wonderful article! We encourage everyone to watch and listen to the multimedia collage included in the article, created by Lynn to express their experience of meltdown.

02/12/2026

We are excited to see two of our PhD students present their work at the Arts and Quality of Life Research Center Conference tomorrow at Temple University!

Sarah Biedka will be presenting "The Other Side of Silence": Social Support and Meaning in a Reflexive Thematic Analysis of Songs Written by Adult Cancer Survivors.

Lynn Gumert will be presenting on Using Arts-Based Methods to Increase Allistic Therapists' Empathy for Autistic Meltdown.

For more information about this free conference:

Arts MatterFebruary 13, 2026Temple Performing Arts CenterJoin us for the 2026 Arts and Quality of Life Conference, a day of conversation, creativity and connection—where the arts take center stage in shaping lives and strengthening communities. This year’s theme, Arts Matter, draws from the soci...

12/03/2025

Congratulations to Kim Valldejuli with the successful defense of your dissertation proposal "A Phenomenological Exploration of Afro-Caribbean Art Therapists' Lived Experiences Integrating Traditional Healing Practices into Art Therapy"! Much gratitude to committee members Dr. Girija Kaimal (Chair), Dr. Jamie Bird (University of Derby), Dr. Kristal Brown (Drexel University), Dr. Camille Nakhid (Aukland University of Technology), Dr. Justine Sefcik (Drexel University), and Dr. Adenike Webb (Drexel University).

11/21/2025

We are celebrating the successful defense by Lynn Gumert of their dissertation proposal "Neuroqueering Therapy through Increased Understanding of Adults' Autism-Specific Physiological and Emotional Distress: An Arts-Based Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis." We wish you the very best with the implementation of this very important research, Lynn!

11/19/2025

Join our last PhD virtual open house before the January 15th application priority deadline! Learn more about our innovative curriculum, extensive hands-on research experiences, and our research fellowships that offer full tuition remission and a monthly stipend!
Date: Thurs Dec 4, 5-6pm EST
To register: https://forms.gle/3czAMYExa4ELSA928

11/05/2025

Congratulations to Delaine Due for passing their doctoral candidacy exam! A major milestone on the doctoral journey accomplished!

10/31/2025

Want to learn more about our top-notch PhD program? We offer full tuition remission and a monthly stipend for accepted students! Join us on Monday November 3, 5 - 6 pm EST, for our virtual open house!

10/16/2025

Congratulations to our PhD alum, Dr. Kate Myers-Coffman, Visiting Assistant Professor of Music Therapy at Indiana University Indianapolis! They have been awarded $310,000 through the State Opioid Response Grant from the Indiana Division of Mental Health and Addictions. Their team's yearlong study will expand programming at the Indianapolis Comprehensive Treatment Clinic, establish collaborations with three methadone clinics in high-need Indiana counties, and pilot tailored programming at Dove Recovery House, a residential recovery center for women.

This grant marks an important step in advancing music therapy’s role in supporting recovery and mental health across the state.

We wish you and your team a lot of success with this study, Kate!

10/06/2025

Are you interested in pursuing doctoral studies?
The Drexel University PhD in Creative Arts Therapies program will be accepting students for Fall 2026!
Join one of our upcoming virtual visit days to learn more.

Dates:
Tue Oct 14, 12 - 1 pm EST
Thurs Oct 16, 5 – 6 pm EST
Mon Nov 3, 5 – 6 pm EST
If you would like to attend one of the open houses, please register here:
https://forms.gle/25isY5zhi1Gp7gHG6
We look forward to meeting you!
If you have any questions, please contact us at PhDCATadmissions@drexel.edu

06/02/2025

Congratulations to Sarah Biedka for the successful defense of their dissertation proposal entitled 'Young Adult Cancer Survivors’ and Music Therapists’ Perspectives on Addressing Relationship Challenges Through Music Therapy: A Qualitative Inquiry Using Reflexive Thematic Analysis'! Thanks to their wonderful committee for their guidance and input: Dr. Kevin Liou, Dr. Natalie Carlton, Dr. Jessica Chou, Desiree Walker, and Dr. Joke Bradt (Chair). Good luck with the implementation of this study, Sarah!

03/22/2025

https://www.facebook.com/share/r/1Dh8GAF5Ne/?mibextid=oFDknk

01/02/2025

Are you interested in pursuing doctoral studies? The Drexel University PhD in Creative Arts Therapies program will be accepting students for Fall 2025. Join one of our upcoming virtual visit days to learn more.

Virtual visit days dates:
Monday January 6, 4 - 5 pm
Wed January 8, 12 - 1 pm

If you would like to attend one of the open houses, please register here:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSe-G4pe0TIhzIrNDu13kSVFbogDco1ufQV7AMLwvSChs5ipmg/viewform?usp=sharing

We look forward to meeting you!
If you have any questions, please contact us at PhDCATadmissions@drexel.edu

The PhD in Creative Arts Therapies program is hosting two virtual Fall Visit Days: Monday December 16, 5 - 6 pm Monday January 6, 4 - 5 pm Wed January 8, 12 - 1 pm The Virtual Visit Day will include an overview of the PhD program, admission requirements, and research fellowships, followed by a quest...