Master of Applied Arts in Health

Applicants are expected to have a bachelor's degree in fine arts (music, dance, theater, dance, etc.) from a regionally accredited U.S. college or university or equivalent, or an undergraduate degree in another field with equivalent lived or academic fine arts experience. Creative arts therapists may choose to apply to gain a broader perspective on the role of arts in health in their own professional clinical practice or how to better learn to collaborate on research teams or in community programs.

"Equivalent" arts experience will be assessed based on the required letter of interest/personal statement and the required portfolio submission that demonstrates the applicant's fine art practice. For example, a student who received a BA in computer science but has early training (or self-taught) as a musician who continues to compose or perform. The depth of their practice as a fine artist would be evidenced through arts-based submission (video audition, art portfolio, etc.).

Yes. The online coursework is asynchronous and you can complete work during hours that work best for you. For some, completing a part-time track (which will extend longer than a year) might be a better option to successfully complete courses.

Yes. A majority of the Health Sciences/Public Health elective options, and several of the core Arts in Health courses, are offered as 7-week online courses.

 Yes. While we encourage students to complete the full-time track, there is flexibility in when the elective coursework can be completed. Coursework does need to be completed prior to the culminating professional internship (final course: FAR 5911).

No, this is not a clinical degree program. Creative arts therapies (music therapy, dance therapy, art therapy, dramatherapy, etc.) have specific educational and training requirements that center in treatment protocols and processes. In this program, you will gain understanding of the scope of practice of creative arts therapies and how to best collaborate to support individuals as an arts in health professional. Arts in health professionals may support the work of creative arts therapists and other clinical professionals by enhancing patient experiences, caring for caregivers, and creating optimal environments in healthcare and community settings through their fine arts practice.

It is hoped that an organization where a student is planning to complete an internship is able to provide a paid internship or a stipend to support the student. If this is not feasible, the organization might be able to provide some type of support through providing gas cards, food, or other assistance. 

If a student completes an internship in their place of employment, arrangements for any additional pay or release time will need to be made between the student and their employer.

• All internship sites and onsite supervisors need to be approved by the Director of Arts in Health.
• Community programs, healthcare settings, or arts organizations may be appropriate placements.
• Onsite supervisors are ideally creative arts therapists or expressive arts therapists, arts and medicine professionals or managers, or other related professionals with expertise in arts in health, arts in public health, arts and medicine, creative arts therapies, etc. with supervision experience.
• During the application process, students should discuss the internship options in their area with the Director of Arts in Health. If a student works in an organization with potential arts in health opportunities that are outside of their regular job scope, their workplace may be an option as long as there is an appropriate onsite supervisor willing to have the student complete an internship and if their employer agrees to the internship. 
• If a student needs assistance in locating a potential internship site, the Director of Arts in Health may be able to assist. 

It is hoped that an organization will see the benefit of the student contributions throughout internship, along with the final project, and determine these services need to be integrated into the organization. This may lead to part-time or full-time employment, but this is not guaranteed.

• Yes. The courses taken for the Graduate Certificate in Arts in Health are the same courses required as part of the MAAH program. By completing the Graduate Certificate in Arts in Health, you will essentially have completed 12 credits of the 30 required credits of the MAAH.
• It is important to note that completing the Graduate Certificate in Applied Arts in Health does not mean acceptance into the MAAH program. Each student will need to apply for the MAAH graduate program if choosing to move from certificate to graduate program.

The field of Arts in Health is professionalizing and growing, so this degree will provide you with a depth of understanding of arts in health systems, other intersecting disciplines, and applied experience in using your arts practice in a health-based environment. Opportunities to engage in interdisciplinary programming in medical, community or public health programs as well as collaborative research in arts and health can stem from this type of degree and experience.

Jobs that relate to this degree may include: artist-in-residence, hospital art curator, arts activity specialist, arts medicine practitioner, community program director, arts and medicine director, arts in health consultant, wellness program facilitator, healing arts program director, or an adjunct or instructional faculty role in a related academic program.

Getting the Master of Applied Arts in Health (MAAH) degree does not lead to a creative arts therapy licensure or credential. If an individual would like to practice as an art therapist, then a master’s degree in art therapy is needed to practice. Those interested in music therapy need to at least complete an undergraduate music therapy degree program (or equivalency program) or complete a master’s + equivalency program (both programs are available at Ohio University) if they already have a music degree of some kind. Other creative arts therapies require a master’s degree in those clinical program areas.

The MAAH degree is a wonderful extension to a creative arts therapy degree and can be completed in just one year, expanding the individual’s understanding of public and community health, and increase the ability to manage teams of diverse arts practitioners. If you completed the MAAH degree first, you could, with an undergraduate degree in a specific art discipline, apply for master’s degree program in the respective creative arts therapy discipline following completion of the MAAH program.

Yes, this is a route to consider if you have a fine arts practice (or have a degree in the fine arts) but are interested in using your art in some fashion within healthcare environments. Someone already in the healthcare field who has an arts-based practice as well is also a potential good fit for this program.

“Equivalent” arts experience can be assessed based on the required letter of interest/personal statement and the required portfolio submission that demonstrates the applicant’s fine art practice and experience. For example, a student who received a BA in computer science but has early training (or is self-taught) as a musician who continues to compose or perform. The depth of their practice as a musician would be evidenced through their arts-based portfolio submission (video audition) as part of the application to the Graduate College.

No, this is not a clinical program. There is exposure and information about medical, community and public healthcare environments, along with information about the health sciences through elective courses. Students will learn how to engage in these environments and learn about ethical parameters, confidentiality, professional roles, and other important information when working in a healthcare environment.

Artists with an undergraduate degree who are seeking a new avenue with their arts practice may consider this degree. This program may help enhance and open new opportunities for using their art in a new role for employment. An advanced degree also can assist some in obtaining opportunities in management or director roles.

Arts in health is a discipline that is professionalizing, with a new Code of Ethics and Standards for Practice being developed in the past couple of years. There is basic certification at the ground level of arts in health practice being offered through the National Organization of Arts in Health (NOAH) with evolving aspects of the work emerging.

There is movement on the federal and state level toward providing access to cost effective and meaningful ways to benefit the health and well-being of individuals and communities. Healthcare settings are collaborating more with community programs to provide access to the arts. Arts in health professionals will play an important role moving forward toward increasing access to health services, awareness and understanding about health topics, and in creating healthier environments for wellness and healing.

Ohio University is one of the first institutions in the United States to provide a graduate level program to help foster future leaders of Arts in Health practice. 

The program can review transfer credit possibilities related to only the fine arts elective of 3 credits. Any fine arts course being considered needs to reflect a minimum grade of a B and not have been used to meet another degree program.

Your arts-based portfolio (music, dance, theatre, film, etc.) is submitted as part of your application to the Ohio University Graduate College. The portfolio submission content varies based on the applicant’s art discipline. For more information, please contact the Program Director or an enrollment advisor in OHIO Online.