- Level
- Master Degree
- Duration
- 2 Years (includes practicum)
- Open intake
-
Off-shoreSep 2027
- Field
- Mental Health and Counseling
- Institution
- Private University
- Offer speed
- Fast Offer Speed5–7 days
- Next deadline
- 2026-09-01
Program overview
This two year master’s degree combines full counselling training with art therapy practice. Students study counselling theory, psychopathology, ethics and multicultural practice alongside studio work, art therapy theory and the use of image making as a clinical method, with supervised practicum inside the two year structure.
The dual nature of the training is its strength. Graduates hold a counselling qualification with an expressive arts specialisation rather than a narrow art therapy credential, which widens employment options considerably in a field where dedicated art therapy posts are limited.
Practicum placements span hospitals, hospices, schools, community mental health and trauma services, and students carry supervised client work using both verbal and art based methods. Applicants should expect studio practice to be a genuine component rather than an add on, and should budget for materials.
IRCC lists Master of Counselling Psychology: Art Therapy among the Adler degrees whose graduates qualify for a Post Graduation Work Permit. Master’s programs are exempt from the field of study requirement, so no CIP code applies, and a two year degree can support a work permit of up to three years at IRCC discretion.
Entry per the portal export is a three year bachelor’s degree with 72 percent, the most accessible academic bar in this sheet, with IELTS 7.0 overall and no band below 6.5. Adler’s published Vancouver tuition for 2026 to 2027 is CAD 42,398 in year one and CAD 32,422 in year two.
This program carries the lowest academic entry bar in Adler’s Vancouver catalogue at 72 percent, which makes it accessible to candidates who fall short of the counselling degrees, but the selection process weighs artistic practice and personal suitability alongside grades. Applicants should prepare evidence of sustained creative work and should understand that studio materials, supervision costs and professional association membership are real expenses beyond the published tuition.
What it costs per year · indicative
Living cost is an estimate; tuition is the institute's published international fee. We confirm exact, current figures before you pay anything.
Do you qualify?
These are the published minimums. Whether your profile fits — with your marks, gap and budget — is exactly what a free counsellor check confirms.
Admission requirements
Who can apply (guide for international students):
- Education: 3-Year Bachelor’s Degree with a minimum of 72 percent, per the portal export. A course by course credential evaluation is normally required.
- English (meet any one, per source): IELTS Academic 7 overall with no band below 6.5; TOEFL iBT 92 total with no section below 22; PTE Academic 66 overall; Duolingo English Test is recorded as not accepted for this program.
- English waiver: No English proficiency exam waiver is offered for this institution per the ASV source.
- Also required: Statement of intent, resume or CV, letters of recommendation and transcripts from all institutions attended, per Adler University admissions.
- Tests: No GRE or GMAT required. Application fee CAD 30 per the portal export; Adler publishes the fee as 30 dollars, so confirm the currency at application.
- Work permit: IRCC lists Master of Counselling Psychology among the Adler University degrees whose graduates qualify for a Post Graduation Work Permit. Degree level programs are exempt from the field of study requirement, so no CIP code applies. IRCC makes the final decision.
- Spouse: Master’s programs of 16 months or longer and doctoral programs are the categories that remain eligible for a spousal open work permit under the rules in force since January 2025. Adler is a private degree granting institution, so confirm the current position with IRCC before relying on it.
- Study permit: Adler University DLI number O19394452198, to be confirmed against the letter of acceptance.
English requirements
Documents you'll need typical · we confirm yours
- Valid passport (6+ months validity)
- Class 10 & 12 marksheets and certificates
- Bachelor's degree marksheets & final certificate
- English test scorecard (IELTS / PTE / TOEFL) or MOI certificate
- Statement of Purpose (SOP)
- Letters of Recommendation (LOR)
- Updated CV / resume
- Financial proof — bank statement / loan sanction + GIC
- Passport-size photographs
- Study-gap affidavit or work-experience letter (if applicable)
Getting documents right is the #1 reason applications succeed or get refused — our team checks every file before submission.
Career opportunities
Typical destinations for graduates:
- Art Therapist: clinical practice after professional registration
- Registered Clinical Counsellor: the dual credential route in British Columbia
- Mental Health Clinician: hospitals, hospices and community agencies
- Trauma Therapist: specialised practice with expressive methods
- Youth and Family Art Therapist: schools and family services
- Private Practice Therapist: independent expressive arts practice
Reality check: art therapy is a small specialism with its own professional association requirements in Canada, so applicants should confirm the registration pathway and the studio portfolio expectations before applying.
About Adler University
- Type
- University
- Ownership
- Private
- Rating
- ★ 4.4
- World rank
- #14556
- Established
- 2005
- Reference No.
- O19394452198
