Art Therapy - Bachelor of Science (39 Credits)
(39 credits plus 19 credits of experiential learning)
The professional major in Art Therapy is designed for students interested in using visual art modalities in working with adults and children in a variety of settings. It prepares students for entry-level positions in a number of human services settings, such as social service agencies, childcare programs or specialized school programs, and other community settings. It is also designed to prepare students for entry into a professional master's degree program in Art Therapy and/or Expressive Art Therapies. This major combines pre-professional courses in the human services with substantial coursework in psychology and studio art. Students will complete over 400 hours in the field. In order to qualify for professional licensure, students must continue into graduate level preparation in Art Therapy. Optional specialization: Holistic Psychology.
To successfully meet the requirements of the Art Therapy major, students will:
- develop values that integrate the identity of a visual artist and that of a helping professional.
- integrate the concepts of art therapy within a context of the helping profession, through engagement in experiential learning.
- be able to critically analyze social science research to enhance their development within the field of art therapy.
- demonstrate an understanding of psychological development across the range of human experience.
- display a capacity to utilize multicultural perspectives in their approach to understanding art therapy practice.
Academic & Professional Standards of the Art Therapy Major
The Department of Psychology & Applied Therapies understands the commitment to self-awareness and self-management that comes with development as a helping professional. Students’ capacity to engage with empathic understanding of self and other is of great importance for successful completion of the internship courses and many other aspects of the program. Due to the applied nature of our graduates’ work in the field, students’ understanding of areas for growth and their own commitment to work on both personal challenges and professional competencies is essential to moving forward in the major.
Department pedagogy is substantially based on students’ attendance and participation with the course materials, in activities that require consistent collaboration with others, which itself is based in the ability to take other’s perspectives and present one’s own opinions respectfully.
Below are listed other specific competencies and professional behaviors that students will be assessed on as they progress through their program of study. Students will be given feedback when issues arise related to these competencies and allowed an opportunity to improve on suggested areas in order to assist them to successfully complete their chosen major. Students failing to reach benchmarked academic standards and professional competencies over time will enter the Department's academic review process. For more specific descriptions of these competencies and the academic review process, please see Department Manual.
Professional Standards Competencies
A student’s ability to function effectively within the context of helping relationships will be continually assessed by the faculty. Among the competencies that will be evaluated, in accordance with a student’s experience, are:
- Appropriate work comportment including: attendance; punctuality; sound judgment; quality of work; ability to take initiative; attitude, knowledge or application of agency policy;
- Understanding of, and sensitivity to, the power dynamic in the worker/client relationship and the impact of class, ethnicity, gender, physical ability, race, religion/spirituality, and sexual orientation;
- Awareness of how one’s own biases will affect one’s understanding of and regard for another;
- Capacity to be a participant and observer in one’s helping relationships with others;
- Recognition of and ability to deal with issues relating to how one’s own feelings may impact work with clients, agency personnel, and supervisors;
- Ability to interview/converse with clients in order to assess their social and emotional needs;
- Ability to use appropriate verbal and non-verbal communication skills;
- The ability to maintain appropriate and ethically required boundaries, which includes but is not limited to dual relationships, sexual conduct with clients or staff and sexual harassment;
- The appropriate use of self-disclosures;
- Awareness of the scope and limits of one’s expertise, including but not limited to identification as interns;
- Understanding of an ability to adapt treatment plans to meet the needs of diverse clinical populations;
- Understanding of and ability to discuss ethical issues as they arise.
Degree Requirements
I. Required Core (18 Credits):
II. Required Studio / Survey Arts (21 Credits):
A. Art History (3 Credits) - Choose ONE. The following Art History courses are recommended by The Department of Psychology and Applied Therapies’ Art Therapy faculty OR choose another 1000 or 2000 level Art History (IAHIS) course with your advisor:
B. Studio Art Courses (18 Credits):
The foundation courses are designed to give art therapy majors a broad experience in 2D and 3D studio work. Electives are intended to build depth and breadth in various media.
Students planning to apply for the dual-degree program or graduate school will need most of the studio art courses completed by mid-junior year, as well as 3 additional credits in psychology.
Required Courses (6 Credits):
Choose ONE (3 Credits):
Studio Art Electives (9 Credits):
Choose 3 additional studio-arts courses (at least 2 at the 2000-level or above)
Required Internship Sequence Coursework (19 Credits):
| CPSYC 1551 | Foundations and Systems in the Helping Professions | 3 |
| CPSYC 2551 | Concepts & Skills in Professional Practice | 4 |
| CARTH 3501 | Art Therapy Internship and Seminar I | 6 |
| CARTH 4501 | Art Therapy Internship and Seminar II | 6 |
Please note: Minimum grade requirement of C for above internship courses.
CPSYC 1551: fall semester offering for transfer or upper level students only
Recommended Courses:
Art Therapy Electives:
Other Suggested Electives:
CMATH 1522 Introduction to Statistics is suggested as a General Education outcomes choice