Ricardo Notes

General Questions:
How often do students come right out of undergrad?

It's very common. The grad admissions person just spoke to another prospective student who will graduate in May. Across all modalities, they have students that are coming out of undergrad and jumping into things right away, as well as students who are retired but looking to get back into the workforce. And all students in between. It's varied. Having some years of experience does help bolster a student's application, but the freshness of the undergraduate experience can also be very helpful.

Are there roles available, like TAing, that reduce the cost of tuition?

Yes, although it's very limited. Ricardo doesn't know how many slots are available for drama therapy program. He suggests I should connect with Laura Wood.

What is the average amount of aid students receive?

They offer all admitted students merit-based awards which go from $5000-20000. Students on average receive $9000-12000. The $20000 scholarships are presidential scholarships, and this year they handed out 8 of them. I should look at the NADTA website and check if they have resources that grad students can take advantage of. In a month or so they might be up there since it's still so early in the admissions process.

Can you elaborate on resources/supports available for LGBT students on campus?

Ricardo has worked at four institutions including Lesley, and none of the prior institutions he's worked at have been welcoming to LGBT+ people or people of color. Lesley is a "very equitable, very inclusive, and mission-driven institution." They recently hired a new vice president of equity, inclusion, and social justice. She's gotten all of these initiatives in and is expanding on them across all departments. An example is having inclusive restrooms on campus. There's still work to be done, but Ricardo thinks it's a place where "as a transgender individual, [I] may feel supported."

What resources are there to help me find employment in the field after graduation?

There is a 96% placement rate for graduates within 6 months of graduation. The expressive therapies programs are the oldest in the state, close to 50 years old. Exposure to all 5 modalities -- expressive arts, visual arts, drama, dance, music. Working with field placement office for internship placements, and you can also consult with them for post-career placements. You can go back to them post-graduation to help with resume, interviewing, placements, etc. Students are being placed all over. Nonprofits, hospitals, smaller clinics, corporate, education, correctional facilities.

What resources are there to help me find housing in the area? (I'd be moving from Minneapolis to Cambridge.)

There are resources. The back end of the admissions process involves working with university realtors and other resources to help students find an apartment. There are four primary cities surrounding the Cambridge area, which would be more affordable than Cambridge itself. Cambridge is very expensive, partially because it's going through gentrification. 1 bedroom apartments at Cambridge could be as much as $1800. Lesley helps students find roommates and is also now offering graduate housing as of this year.

Drama Therapy Questions:
What percentage of drama therapy graduates go on to work in the field?
Does the program have relationships with theaters/performing arts organizations in Massachusetts?
What are some examples of internship/field opportunities?
In what states will I be licensed to work as a drama therapist? Will I be able to get licensure for non-MA states through this program? Is there anything additional I will have to do to get licensed in other states?
Does my Human Development SWK class work to satisfy the Developmental Psych requirement?
Requirements for portfolio part of application? The website says there are different portfolio requirements but doesn't specify what they are.
What format does the improvisational interview take? Will it have improv theater aspects to it?
My background is in social work and theater. How common is a social work background vs. a psychology background coming into the program? Should I supplement with any additional psychology courses (besides those that are required)?

PROGRAM STRUCTURE:

3-year, 60 credit program (although I can petition to have a 2-year program). Prior to COVID, it was a two-year program for on-campus. It's now a 3-year program because, at the height of COVID, there was difficulty placing students due to closures and such. That made them re-evaluate because the previous cohort was forced to have a 3-year program so they'd be on par with the low residency program.

First year: Start coursework, start first art-based internship (10-15 hr/week).
Second year: Continue coursework, start thesis, clinical internship (LMHC, 20-25 hr/week).

This was very intimidating and overwhelming. Now it's like this:

First year: Coursework ONLY.
Second year: Coursework, art-based internship.
Third year: Thesis, clinical internship.

It's basically the same on-campus vs. low residency.