2024-2025 Graduate Academic Catalog

M.A. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling: Art Therapy (60 credits)

On-Campus and Low-Residency Options

The Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling: Art Therapy is a 60-credit program that integrates coursework, clinical work and supervision in art therapy and mental health counseling.

  • The program can be completed in three years of study.
  • A first field placement of 450 supervised hours, and a second field placement of 700 clinically supervised hours are required.
  • On-Campus and Low-Residency students follow the same program of study.

Program Prerequisites

  • 12 credits in psychology, including abnormal psychology and developmental psychology with grades of B or better.
  • 18 credits of studio art courses with grades of B or better. Applicants must send a minimum of 15-20 slides, or digital copy, of their art work along with their application. The slides should represent a variety of media, including two- and three-dimensional work, self-expression, and a range of technical abilities.

For the university's transfer credit policy for this and other programs, see the Transfer of Credits page.

Program of Study

Core Courses (30 credits)

GEXTH 5032Orientation to Expressive Therapies

3

GEXTH 5113Group Counseling: Art Therapy

3

GEXTH 6032Human Development Across the Lifespan

3

GEXTH 6102Professional Counseling Orientation and Ethical Practice

3

GEXTH 6105Examining Power Privilege & Oppression in Clinical Practice

3

GEXTH 6106Research and Program Evaluation

3

GEXTH 6415Psychopathology and Clinical Practice

3

GEXTH 6416Theories of Mental Health Counseling

3

GEXTH 6417Assessment and Testing in Mental Health Counseling

3

GEXTH 6418Vocational and Career Counseling

3

Field Experience Courses (12 credits)

GEXTH 5119Clinical Skills and Applications

3

GEXTH 6430Art Therapy as Trauma-Informed Practice: Supervision I

3

GEXTH 7716Supervision in Art Therapy and Counseling II

3

GEXTH 7720Supervision in Art Therapy and Counseling III

3

Electives (6 credits)

Choose 2 courses from the following list:

GEXTH 6025Marriage and Family Therapy

3

GEXTH 6040Treatment of Substance Use Disorders and Addictions

3

GEXTH 5010Principles and Practices of Expressive Arts Therapy

3

Students must choose GEXTH 6025 and GEXTH 6040, if required for counseling licensure as determined by student location.

Students can also complete a 3-credit specialization or non-specialization elective course in consultation with their advisor.

Specialization Courses (12 credits)

GEXTH 5112Theories in Art Therapy

3

GEXTH 6015Art Therapy Assessment

3

GEXTH 6367Art Therapy Studio

3

GEXTH 7017Thesis Seminar

3