Academic Programs & Courses

There is currently no complete Poetry Therapy Masters Degree program in the United States. Training is done by mentors who are Certified and Registered Poetry Therapists and CAPFs. A complete list of mentors can be found on the website of International Federation for Biblio/Poetry Therapy: Ifbpt.org

Below is a list of academic programs and courses of interest.

ALABAMA

Program in Literature and Health Care
M.A. in Creative Writing with a concentration in Poetry
M.F.A. in Creative Writing with a concentration in Poetry
University of South Alabama Creative Writing Program

ALASKA
M.F.A. in Creative Writing with a concentration in Poetry

Interdisciplinary Studies Master’s Degrees

M.F.A. in Creative Writing with a concentration in Poetry

ARIZONA
B.A. in Interdisciplinary Studies–ONLINE

M.A. in Interdisciplinary Studies
M.F.A. in Creative Writing with a concentration in Poetry
Virginia G. Piper Center for Creative Writing
M.F.A. in Creative Writing with a concentration in Poetry
M.S. in Counseling with a concentration in Expressive Arts Therapy                                                                                                                                                      The University of Arizona’s Poetry Center features various classes, workshops and education in poetry, creative writing and literature.  

Art in Medicine
The Program for Narrative Medicine and Medical Humanities
M.F.A. in Creative Writing with a concentration in Poetry
Program in Medical Humanities
Harmony magazine, a publication of Arizona’s College of Medicine Program in Medical Humanities                                              M.A. in Counseling with a concentration in Expressive Arts Therapy

ARKANSAS
M.F.A. in Creative Writing with a concentration in Poetry
M.F.A. in Creative Writing with a concentration in Poetry

M.F.A. in Creative Writing with a concentration in Poetry



CALIFORNIA

M.F.A. in Creative Writing with a concentration in Poetry
M.F.A. in Writing with a concentration in Poetry
M.F.A. in Creative Writing with a concentration  in Writing and Performativity
M.A. in Counseling Psychology with a concentration in Expressive Arts Therapy
M.F.A. in Writing and Consciousness
Literature & Medicine Program
The California Humanities draws upon the humanities to support the healthcare system by offering its Literature & Medicine program to California-based VA hospitals.
M.F.A. in Creative Writing with a concentration in Poetry                                                                                                                                                            Home-Study Program: The Wisdom of Mythic StoriesVarious courses, seminars and workshops on the psychology of fairy tales, mythic stories, creativity, movies as mythic imagination, and law and ethics for psychotherapists
M.F.A. in Creative Writing with a concentration in Poetry
M.F.A. in Creative Writing with a concentration in Poetry
M.A. in Expressive Arts Therapy with the European Graduate School
Continuing Education (CEU) Courses and Workshop Experiences in Expressive Arts Therapy
Professional Diploma in Expressive Arts Therapy
Certificate in Expressive Arts Therapy
M.F.A. in Creative Writing with a concentration in Poetry
Trainings in Focusing-Oriented Expressive Arts Therapy
Various courses, workshops and other resources in service to the healing power of poetry
Certificate in Expressive Arts
M.A. in Counseling Psychology – Holistic  
Certificate in Person-Centered Expressive Arts Therapy
M.F.A. in Creative Writing with a concentration in Poetry
M.F.A. in Creative Writing with a concentration in Poetry
M.F.A. in Writing with a concentration in Poetry
Finding Meaning in Medicine, Nursing and Service: Discussion Groups for Healthcare Professionals
The Healer’s Art Course: For Medical Educators and Students
The Power of Nursing Course: For Nursing Educators
M.F.A. in Creative Writing with a concentration in Poetry
M.F.A. in Creative Writing with a concentration in Poetry
Certificate in Expressive Arts Therapy
M.A. in Expressive Arts Therapy
Ph.D. in Psychology with a specialization in Expressive Arts Therapy
M.A. in Creative Writing with a concentration in Poetry
M.F.A. in Creative Writing with a concentration in Poetry
M.F.A. in Creative Writing, a dual-genre program offering a concentration in Poetry


Saybrook University offers certificate, masters and doctoral programs, including 


    COLORADO                                                                                                                                                                                         Certification Credentialing programs
    Long Program via The Therapeutic Writing Institute
    Short Program via Journal to the Self® workshop
    Various Continuing Education programs
    M.F.A. in Creative Writing with a concentration in Poetry
    M.F.A. in Creative Writing and Poetics via the Jack Kerouac School of Disembodied Poets
    M.F.A. in Creative Writing with a concentration in Poetry
    M.F.A. in Creative Writing with a concentration in Poetry
    Arts and Humanities in Healthcare Program
    Medical Humanities program
    Ph.D. in English/Creative Writing with a concentration in Poetry
    M.A. and M.F.A. programs in Creative Writing with a concentration in Poetry and an Emphasis on Versecraft

    CONNECTICUT
    M.F.A. in Writing with a concentration in Poetry–Online & Low-Residency options
    M.F.A. in Creative Writing with a concentration in Poetry
    Poetry Therapy Training and Certification via Marianela Medrano
    M.F.A. in Creative Writing with a concentration in Poetry
    Program for Humanities in Medicine

    DELAWARE
    Literature & Medicine Program
    Ph.D. in English Literature with Research Tracks in Print and Material Culture, Race and Ethnicity, and Transatlantic and Transnational Studies

    DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
    M.F.A. in Creative Writing with a concentration in Poetry
    M.F.A. in Creative Writing with a concentration in Poetry
    Interacting with the Arts in Medicine Program
    School of Medicine & Health Sciences
    Medical Humanities Track Program
    M.F.A. in Poetry

    FLORIDA
    Certificate in Intermodal Expressive Arts
    M.F.A. in Creative Writing, including coursework in Fiction, Creative Nonfiction and Poetry genres
    M.F.A. in Creative Writing with a concentration in Poetry
    M.F.A. in English with an Emphasis in Creative Writing
    M.F.A. in Creative Writing with a focus on one of two genres: Fiction or Poetry in the Expanded Field
    M.F.A. in Creative Writing with a concentration in Poetry
    College of the Arts
    Graduate Certificate in Arts in Medicine
    M.A. in Arts in Medicine–ONLINE
    Medical Humanities Program
    M.F.A. in Creative Writing with a concentration in Poetry
    M.F.A. in Fiction and Poetry
    M.F.A. in Creative Writing with a concentration in Poetry
    M.A. in Bioethics and Medical Humanities
    M.F.A. in Creative Writing with a concentration in Poetry
    Teacher Training Program in Expressive Arts

    GEORGIA
    Georgia Poetry Circuit
    The Georgia Poetry Circuit includes three internationally recognized poets working in conjunction annually with a consortium of ten Georgia universities to ensure access to the literary arts for Georgia residents across the state.
    Undergraduate course integrating medical humanities studies with Italian cultural studies
    M.F.A. in Creative Writing with a concentration in Poetry
    Write to Heal Program
     For more information, contact: Anna Harris aharris1@augusta.edu

    M.A. in English with a concentration in Creative Writing
    M.F.A. in Creative Writing with a concentration in Poetry
    Ph.D. in English with a concentration in Creative Writing
    M.F.A. in Creative Writing with a Concentration in Poetry
    Ph.D. in English with a concentration in Creative Writing

    HAWAII
    M.A., Ph.D. and combined M.A./Ph.D. programs in Expressive Arts Therapy
    M.A. in English with a concentration in Creative Writing
    Ph.D. in English, Creative Writing track

    IDAHO

    M.F.A. in Creative Writing with degree tracks in Fiction and Poetry
    M.F.A. in Creative Writing with degree tracks in Fiction, Poetry and Creative Nonfiction


    ILLINOIS
    Certificate in Expressive Arts Therapy
    M.F.A. in Creative Writing with a concentration in Poetry
    M.F.A. in Creative Writing with a concentration in Poetry
    M.A. in Writing and Publishing with a concentration in Poetry
    M.A. and M.F.A. programs in Creative Writing with a concentration in Poetry
    Center for Bioethics and Medical Humanities
    M.A. in Medical Humanities & Bioethics
    M.F.A. in Creative Writing with a concentration in Poetry
    M.F.A. in Writing with a concentration in Poetry
    M.F.A. in Creative Writing with a concentration in Poetry
    M.A. in English with a creative manuscript
    Ph.D. in English with creative dissertation
    M.F.A. in Creative Writing with a concentration in Poetry


    INDIANA
    M.A. in Creative Writing with a concentration in Poetry
    M.F.A. in Creative Writing with a concentration in Poetry
    M.A. in English with Special Field Concentration
    M.F.A. in Creative Writing
    Graduate Certificate in Medical Humanities
    M.F.A. in Creative Writing with a concentration in Poetry
    M.F.A. in Creative Writing


    IOWA
    M.F.A. in Creative Writing and Environment
    M.F.A. in English with a focus in Creative Writing
    Carver College of Medicine
    Writing and Humanities Program
    M.F.A. in Creative Writing
    Undergraduate Courses with the Iowa Writer’s Workshop are available


    KANSAS
    Global Medical Humanities Program
    M.F.A. in Creative Writing with a concentration in Poetry
    Ph.D. in Creative Writing with a concentration in Poetry
    M.F.A. in Creative Writing with a concentration in Poetry


    KENTUCKY
    M.F.A. in Creative Writing with a concentration in Poetry
    M.F.A. in Creative Writing
    M.F.A. in Creative Writing with a concentration in Poetry
    M.F.A. in Writing with a concentration in Poetry
    M.F.A. in Creative Writing with a concentration in Poetry
    M.A. in Interdisciplinary Studies with a concentration in Bioethics and Medical Humanities
    Combined M.D./M.A. in Bioethics and Medical Humanities
    M.F.A. in Creative Writing with a concentration in Poetry


    LOUISIANA

    M.F.A. in Creative Writing with a concentration in Poetry

    M.A. in Creative Writing–ONLINE
    M.F.A. in Creative Writing with a concentration in Poetry
    M.F.A. in Creative Writing with a concentration in Poetry
    M.F.A. in Creative Writing with a concentration in Poetry, LOW-RESIDENCY OPTION


    MAINE
    Literature & Medicine Program
    Professional Certificate in Visual Storytelling
    M.A. in English with concentrations in Creative Writing and Poetry & Poetics
    M.F.A. in Creative Writing with a concentration in Poetry


    MARYLAND
    M.F.A. in Poetry
    M.F.A. in Creative Writing with a concentration in Poetry


    MASSACHUSETTS
    Minor in Medical Humanities
    M.F.A. in Creative Writing with a concentration in Poetry
    M.F.A. in Creative Writing with a concentration in Poetry
    Certificate in Expressive Arts Therapy
    M.A. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling with a specialization in Expressive Arts Therapy
    Ph.D. in Expressive Therapies
    Literature and Medicine Program
    M.F.A. in Creative Writing with a concentration in Poetry
    Certificate in Medical Humanities
    .M.F.A. for Poets & Writers
    M.F.A. in Creative Writing with a concentration in Poetry
    M.A.  in Clinical Mental Health Counseling with an emphasis on Expressive Arts Therapy


    MICHIGAN
    Center for Ethics and Humanities in the Life Sciences
    MSU’s Center for Ethics and Humanities in the Life Sciences offers various programs and professional services in the Humanities and Bioethics, including webinars, brown-bag seminars, and even an undergraduate minor.
    M.F.A. in Creative Writing with a concentration in Poetry
    Helen Zell Writers’ Program
    M.F.A. in Creative Writing with a concentration in Poetry

    The Program in Culture, Health, and Medicine
    The Medical Humanities Path of Excellence Program
    Medical Humanities Workgroup
    M.F.A. in Creative Writing with a concentration in Poetry
    Ph.D. in Creative Writing with a concentration in Poetry


    MINNESOTA
    M.F.A. in Creative Writing with an Extended Study option in Poetry
    M.F.A. in Creative Writing with a concentration in Poetry–ONLINE
    M.F.A. in Creative Writing with a concentration in Poetry
    Humanities in Medicine programs
    M.F.A. in Creative Writing with a concentration in Poetry
    3-Day Courses in Beginning and Intermediate Poetry/Bibliotherapy taught by Geri Chavis, Ph.D., L.P., C.P.T.
     NOTE: Certificate and Continuing Education Credits (CEUs) are available from St. Catherine University
    M.F.A. in Creative Writing with a concentration in Poetry


    MISSISSIPPI
    M.F.A. in Creative Writing with a concentration in Poetry
    M.F.A. in Creative Writing with a concentration in Poetry


    MISSOURI
    M.F.A. in Writing with a concentration in Poetry–TRADITIONAL/ONLINE/HYBRID
    Medical Humanities Minor Program
    M.A. and Ph.D. programs in English with a concentration in Creative Writing and an emphasis on Poetry
    M.F.A. in Creative Writing and Media Arts with a concentration in Poetry
    School of Medicine
    Program in Medical Arts, Bioethics, and the Humanities
    M.F.A. in Creative Writing with a concentration in Poetry
    M.F.A. in Poetry


    MONTANA
    M.F.A. in Creative Writing with a concentration in Poetry


    NEBRASKA
    M.F.A. in Creative Writing with a concentration in Poetry
    The Humanities in Medicine program
    M.A. and Ph.D. programs in Creative Writing with a concentration in Poetry
    M.F.A. in Writing with a concentration in Poetry
    M.F.A. in Writing with a concentration in Poetry–ONLINE
    Minor in Medical Humanities


    NEVADA
    M.F.A. in Creative Writing with a concentration in Poetry
    M.F.A. in Creative Writing with a concentration in Poetry
    Ph.D. in Creative Writing with a concentration in Poetry and a Creative Dissertation option
    M.F.A. in Creative Writing with a concentration in Poetry


    NEW HAMPSHIRE
    M.F.A. in Creative Writing with a concentration in Poetry
    M.F.A. in Creative Writing with a concentration in Poetry
    M.A. in English & Creative Writing with a concentration in Poetry–ONLINE
    M.F.A. in Writing with a concentration in Poetry


    NEW JERSEY
    Combined M.F.A. in Poetry and Poetry in Translation
    Medical Humanities Program
    M.F.A. in Poetry
    M.F.A. in Poetry in Translation
    M.F.A. in Creative Writing with a concentration in Poetry
    M.A. in English Writing Studies with a concentration in Creative Writing
    M.F.A. in Creative Writing with a concentration in Poetry
    M.F.A. in Creative Writing with a concentration in Poetry
    Literature & Medicine Program
    M.F.A. in Creative & Professional Writing


    NEW MEXICO
    M.F.A. in Creative Writing with a concentration in Poetry and a distinct Native American and First Nations emphasis
    M.A. in English with an Emphasis in Creative Writing program with a concentration in Poetry
    M.F.A. in English with an Emphasis in Creative Writing program with a concentration in Poetry
    M.F.A. in Creative Writing with a concentration in Poetry
    University of New Mexico Arts-in-Medicine Program


    NEW YORK
    M.F.A. in Creative Writing with a concentration in Poetry
    M.F.A. in Writing with a concentration in Poetry
    M.F.A. in Creative Writing with a concentration in Poetry
    M.F.A. in Creative Writing with a concentration in Poetry
    Joint M.F.A./Ph.D. program in Creative Writing and English Language and Literature
    M.F.A. in Creative Writing with a concentration in Poetry
    M.F.A. in Creative Writing with a concentration in Poetry (Hofstra)
    M.F.A. in Creative Writing with a concentration in Poetry
    M.F.A. in Creative Writing with a concentration in Poetry
    M.F.A. in Creative Writing with a concentration in Poetry
    Division of Medical Humanities
    LitMed: A Literature Arts Medicine Database
    M.F.A. in Creative Writing with a concentration in Poetry
    M.F.A. Creative Writing Writer’s Workshop in Paris with a concentration in Poetry
    M.F.A. in Creative Writing & Literary Translation with a concentration in Poetry
    M.F.A. in Creative Writing with a concentration in Poetry
    M.F.A. in Art Writing
    M.F.A. in Creative Writing & Literature with a concentration in Poetry
    Certificate in Innovative Writing with a concentration in Poetry
    M.A. in English with an interdisciplinary focus
    Ph.D. in English with an interdisciplinary focus
    M.F.A. in Creative Writing with a concentration in Poetry
    The Writer’s Foundry M.F.A. in Creative Writing with a concentration in Poetry
    M.F.A. in Creative Writing with a concentration in Poetry
    Center for Clinical Ethics and Humanities in Health Care
    M.S. in Medical Humanities
    Center for Bioethics and Humanities, featuring The Healing Muse: A Journal of Literary and Visual Arts


    NORTH CAROLINA
    Graduate Certificate in Expressive Arts Therapy
    M.A. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling with a concentration in Expressive Arts Therapy
    Literature & Medicine: Humanities at the Heart of Health Care program
    M.F.A. in Creative Writing with a concentration in Poetry
    M.F.A. in Creative Writing with a concentration in Poetry
    M.A. in English with a concentration in Literature, Medicine, and Culture
    M.F.A. in Creative Writing with a concentration in Poetry
    M.F.A. in Creative Writing with a concentration in Poetry
    M.F.A. in Creative Writing with a concentration in Poetry


    NORTH DAKOTA
    The NAPT is unaware of any poetry therapy-related academic programs in the state of North Dakota.


    OHIO
    M.F.A. in Creative Writing with a concentration in Poetry
    M.F.A. in Creative Writing with a concentration in Poetry
    M.F.A. in Creative Writing with a concentration in Poetry
    Cleveland State University’s M.F.A. in Creative Writing program is part of the Northeast Ohio Master of Fine Arts (NEOMFA),  a consortium of four universities that provides writers with the platform to hone creative skills, explore the finer details of the craft, and expand the scope of their creative energies across four universities in one single writing program.
    Center for Literature & Medicine
    M.F.A. in Creative Writing with a concentration in Poetry
    Kent State University’s M.F.A. in Creative Writing program is part of the Northeast Ohio Master of Fine Arts (NEOMFA),  a consortium of four universities that provides writers with the platform to hone creative skills, explore the finer details of the craft, and expand the scope of their creative energies across four universities in one single writing program.
    M.F.A. in Creative Writing with a concentration in Poetry
    M.F.A. in Creative Writing with a concentration in Poetry
    The nation’s only consortial M.F.A. program, in Creative Writing, NEOMFA is a consortium of four universities that provides writers with the platform to hone creative skills, explore the finer details of the craft, and expand the scope of their creative energies across four universities in one single writing program.
    M.F.A. in in Creative Writing with a concentration in Poetry
    M.A. in Creative Writing with a concentration in Poetry
    Ph.D. in Creative Writing with a concentration in Poetry
    M.F.A. in Creative Writing with a concentration in Poetry
    The University of Akron’s M.F.A. in Creative Writing program is part of the Northeast Ohio Master of Fine Arts (NEOMFA),  a consortium of four universities that provides writers with the platform to hone creative skills, explore the finer details of the craft, and expand the scope of their creative energies across four universities in one single writing program.
    M.A. in Creative Writing with a concentration in Poetry
    Ph.D. in Creative Writing with a concentration in Poetry
    M.F.A. in Creative Writing with a concentration in Poetry
    Youngstown State University’s M.F.A. in Creative Writing program is part of the Northeast Ohio Master of Fine Arts (NEOMFA),  a consortium of four universities that provides writers with the platform to hone creative skills, explore the finer details of the craft, and expand the scope of their creative energies across four universities in one single writing program.


    OKLAHOMA
    The Red Earth M.F.A. in Creative Writing with a concentration in Poetry
    M.F.A. in Creative Writing with a concentration in Poetry
    Ph.D. in Creative Writing with a concentration in Poetry
    M.A. in Creative Writing with a concentration in Poetry
    College of Medicine
    Sequential B.A./M.D. Medical Humanities Scholars program


    OREGON
    M.F.A. in Creative Writing with a concentration in Poetry
    M.F.A. in Creative Writing with a concentration in Poetry
    Undergraduate Certificate in Medical Humanities
    M.F.A. in Creative Writing with a concentration in Poetry
    M.F.A. in Creative Writing with a concentration in Poetry
    M.F.A. in Creative Writing with a concentration in Poetry
    M.F.A. in Creative Writing with a concentration in Poetry


    PENNSYLVANIA
    M.F.A. in Creative Writing with a concentration in Poetry and a residency in Edinburgh, Scotland
    M.F.A. in Creative Writing with a concentration in Poetry and residencies in Dublin, Ireland
    Pan-European M.F.A. in Creative Writing with a concentration in Poetry and residencies in Dublin, Ireland, Barcelona, Spain and Vienna, Austria
    M.F.A. in Creative Writing with a primary focus in Poetry and concentration options Travel Writing, Teaching, Publishing and Nature Writing
    Medical Humanities Program
    Department of Humanities programs
    M.F.A. in Creative Writing with a concentration in Poetry
    Medical Humanities Initiative
    M.F.A. in Creative Writing with a concentration in Poetry
    M.F.A. in Creative Writing with a concentration in Poetry
    M.A. in Creative Writing with a concentration in Poetry
    M.F.A. in Creative Writing with a concentration in Poetry


    RHODE ISLAND
    M.F.A. in Literary Arts with a concentration in Poetry
    Warren Alpert Medical School
    Scholarly Concentration Program in Medical Humanities and Ethics
    Expressive Arts Institute
    Certificate of Graduate Studies in Expressive and Creative Arts
    Foundational Training in the Expressive and Creative Arts


    SOUTH CAROLINA
    M.F.A. in Creative Writing with a concentration in Poetry
    Literature & Medicine Program
    M.F.A. in Creative Writing with a concentration in Poetry


    TENNESSEE
    M.F.A. in Creative Writing with a concentration in Poetry
    M.F.A. in Creative Writing with a concentration in Poetry
    M.F.A. in Creative Writing with a concentration in Poetry
    M.F.A. in Creative Writing with a concentration in Poetry


    TEXAS
    Medical Humanities Program
    M.F.A. in Creative Writing, Editing, and Publishing with a concentration in Poetry
    M.F.A. in Creative Writing with a concentration in Poetry
    M.F.A. in Creative Writing with a concentration in Poetry
    Ph.D. in Literature and Creative Writing with a concentration in Poetry
    M.A. in Creative Writing with a concentration in Poetry
    Ph.D. in English with a concentration in Creative Writing
    James A. Michener Center for Writers
    M.F.A. in Creative Writing with a concentration in Poetry
    The New Writers Project
    M.F.A. in Creative Writing with a concentration in Poetry
    A bilingual M.F.A. program in Creative Writing with a concentration in Poetry
    M.F.A. in Creative Writing with a concentration in Poetry–ONLINE
    The Institute for Medical Humanities
    M.A./Ph.D. in Medical Humanities
    M.F.A. in Creative Writing with a concentration in Poetry


    UTAH
    M.F.A. in Creative Writing with a concentration in Poetry
    M.F.A. and Ph.D. programs in Creative Writing with a concentration in Poetry
    Division of Medical Ethics & Humanities
    Evening Ethics Program
    Foundational Training in the Expressive and Creative Arts


    VERMONT
    M.F.A. in Writing with a concentration in Poetry
    M.F.A. in Creative Writing with a concentration in Poetry
    M.F.A. in Creative Writing with a concentration in Poetry


    VIRGINIA
    M.F.A. in Creative Writing with a concentration in Poetry
    M.F.A. in Creative Writing with a concentration in Poetry
    M.F.A. in Creative Writing with a concentration in Poetry
    M.F.A. in Creative Writing with a concentration in Poetry
    M.F.A. in Creative Writing with a concentration in Poetry
    M.F.A. in Creative Writing with a concentration in Poetry


    WASHINGTON
    M.F.A. in Creative Writing with a concentration in Poetry
    M.F.A. in Creative Writing with a concentration in Poetry
    M.F.A. in Creative Writing with a concentration in Poetry
    M.F.A. in Creative Writing & Poetics with a concentration in Poetry
    M.F.A. in Creative Writing with a concentration in Poetry
    M.F.A. in Creative Writing with a concentration in Poetry


    WEST VIRGINIA
    M.F.A. in Creative Writing with a concentration in Poetry
    M.F.A. in Creative Writing with a concentration in Poetry


    WISCONSIN
    M.F.A. in Creative Writing with a concentration in Poetry
    M.A. and Ph.D. programs in Creative Writing with a concentration in Poetry


    WYOMING
    M.F.A. in Creative Writing with a concentration in Poetry




    "NAPT" The National Association for Poetry Therapy

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