Art Therapy

Overview

The Master of Arts and Certificate programs in art therapy are designed to teach students the theory and skills necessary for the effective practice of visual and verbal therapy in a variety of therapeutic environments (educational, clinical, and rehabilitative settings). As art therapy is firmly rooted in both art and human psychology, the master's program combines the two disciplines and offers the art therapy student a strong foundation in applied psychology alongside an in-depth approach to the theory and practice of art therapy.
Students are also encouraged to remain involved in their own art-making and to pursue further studio course work in the degree program. The curriculum in art therapy graduate study at Seton Hill follows the educational standards of the American Art Therapy Association. Students receive a core curriculum in the history, theory and practice of art therapy and are educated in assessment, ethics, research, and cultural diversity in the provision of mental health services. Graduates are prepared as clinicians, researchers and artists in the profession of art therapy.
A Master of Arts in Art Therapy with Counseling Specialization is available to students with an undergraduate background in studio arts and psychology, who wish to become Licensed Professional Counselors in addition to becoming Registered and Board Certified as art therapists.

 

Educational Objectives

 

Degree Program

The Master of Arts in Art Therapy is designed for those who hold a baccalaureate degree and wish to pursue registration and certification as a professional art therapist. Students are also eligible for counseling licensure in some states.

 

Internship

All students will complete a 600-hour internship as part of the required course work. Internship provides the student with the opportunity to apply methods of art therapy with individuals and groups in professional settings. Students are supervised onsite as well as by Seton Hill faculty and develop the final case study from their internship work. Seton Hill has developed a variety of placements in the western Pennsylvania region including psychiatric and medical hospitals, YMCA programs, residential treatment with children and adolescents, public schools, private schools and the School for the Deaf, agencies for aging, hospice and other community-based programs. New sites are continually developed and students may work with faculty to create internship placements specific to desired specializations.
 
 

Assessment Criteria

Qualifications of Candidates
A candidate admitted into the master's program must have a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution. For admittance to the advanced certificate program a candidate must have a master's degree from an accredited institution.

Assessment Criteria
The art therapy faculty will assess a candidate's appropriateness for the programs according to the following criteria:

  1. Letter of Intent.
    Candidate has demonstrated career goals which arc consistent with program outcomes and goals. The applicant has a fundamental understanding of the practice of art therapy.

     

  2. Official Transcripts of all Course Work to Date.

    The art therapy faculty will review applicant's transcripts to assess equivalency to the above courses. Students may be admitted provisionally without having completed all prerequisites, however, all prerequisite work must be completed within the first year of graduate study.

  3. Portfolio.
    An applicant must submit an artistic portfolio of a minimum of ten slides. The portfolio will be reviewed to assess the artist's ability to be in relationship to the artwork.

  4. Three Letters of Recommendation.
    Applicants must submit three letters of recommendation. Letters should speak of an applicant's academic ability (academic reference), ability to work with people (clinical) and a general character reference.

  5. Psychological Readiness for Therapeutic Work.
    An applicant must have a significant degree of introspective ability to be admitted to the program. Most applicants will have had experienced a psychotherapy as a client prior to admission into the program. It is also quite common for students to be in psychotherapy during their studies to continue to explore aspects of themselves which impact their ability to engage in therapeutic practice.

Application
Admission is open for Fall or Spring semesters. Although Seton Hill operates on a rolling admission, students are encouraged to complete application as early as possible. The Application for Admission, along with all required materials, must be completed and sent to 'The Office of Graduate and Adult Studies. Application materials include: completed application form, $30.00 application fee, official transcripts for all course work, three letters of recommendation, letter of intent addressing interest in art therapy, portfolio (15 to 20 slides or photos of work in varied media) and a current resume.

Admissions Decision
Applications will be reviewed by the art therapy faculty. Candidates can request an interview with a faculty member. Every attempt will be made to notify an applicant of his/her admissions decision within two weeks after the application submission.

Financial Aid
Financial Aid opportunities include scholarships, loans and work study employment. Please contact the Financial Aid Office at 412-838-4293 for additional information.

 

 

For more information or an application, include your program of interest and contact us at gadmit@setonhill.edu
or write to us at:
Office of Graduate and Adult Studies
Seton Hill University
Seton Hill Drive
Greensburg, PA 15601-1599
1-800-826-6234
TTY: (724) 830-1151