100 total hours in clinical experience, 50 of which must be in direct contact with clients
(2) 300 hours of internship experience, 150 of which must be in direct client contact
Required Courses
ARTTH 601 – Hist and Foundations of Art Therapy 3 credits. Addresses the history and developmental events of art therapy and counseling as distinct therapeutic practices including applications of prevention, intervention, consultation, and advocacy for the promotion of mental health and wellness with a study of theories and models of creativity, understanding symbolism, metaphor and artistic language using relevant neuroscience.
ARTTH 602 – Techniques, Skills, and Materials3 credits. Incorporates the self as therapeutic instrument including methods, techniques, and adaptations for interfaces with clients and artistic media as components of the relationship throughout the therapeutic process integrating understandings of evidence-base, safety, supervision and consultation, psychological properties, and ethical and cultural implications of processes and materials.
ARTTH 603 – Ethics and Business Practices3 credits. Provides a broad understanding of the professional roles and functions of the art therapist and the clinical mental health counselor including proper application of ethical standards of professional bodies (ACA, AATA) and credentialing organizations (ATCB, NBCC) along with legal principles including client safety, supervision, scope of practice, licensure, advocacy, HIPPA, trends and alternative practices, elements of charting, informed consent, and art display.
ARTTH 604 – Psychopathology3 credits. Explores multiple perspectives of emotional and psychological distress including cultural factors, strengths, and resilience and correlates patterns of abnormal behavior and psychopathology along with symptomology, etiology, and overall use of the DSM-5 and ICD-11 for assessment and diagnostic purposes across the lifespan including evidence-based treatment approaches related to various diagnostic categories.
ARTTH 606 – Human Growth and Development3 credits. Explores biopsychosocial, spiritual, and creative development across the lifespan focused on typical and atypical development in learning, personality, adverse experience, and neurological functions. The student will develop and practice developmentally, ethically and culturally sound art therapy and counseling applications grounded in theory across a range of developmental levels.
ARTTH 607 – Methods of Inquiry and Practice 3 credits. Explores a critical understanding of research and evaluation methods within ethical and culturally sound genres; basic measurements levels and psychometric properties; professional report development including literature review, writing style in accord with the American Psychological Association, and needs assessment; and an introduction to research implementation and program evaluation.
ARTTH 611 – Theories of AT, Counseling, Psych 3 credits. Evaluates and applies historical and contemporary theories of psychotherapy and various models of mental health treatment toward working case scenarios in art therapy and counseling to identify personal values and preferences.
ARTTH 612 – Group Dynamics3 credits. Integrates theory, processes, and dynamics of group work to form and facilitate culturally responsive art therapy and counseling groups designed with clear purpose and appropriate goals including principles of group dynamics, therapeutic factors, member roles and behaviors, leadership styles and approaches, participant selection criteria, art-based and interpersonal communication, and the influence of art media on group process.
ARTTH 613 – Social and Cultural Considerations3 credits. Incorporates self-understanding as a framework for developing cultural sensitivity including a broad understanding of diversity theory and competency models including artistic language, symbolism, and meaning making across cultures in order to promote optimal health and growth, reduce biases, and recognize the role of art therapists and counselors in social justice and advocacy.
ARTTH 614 – Mental Health Assessment/Appraisal3 credits. Provides an overview of historical and evidence-based mental health appraisal and assessment practices and models along with practice using data gathering tools, examination of psychometric properties, validity and reliability, with understanding of socio-cultural and developmental factors.
ARTTH 616 – Crisis Intervention and Trauma 3 credits. Illustrates the etiology of traumatic experience and its impact on individuals, families, communities, and cultures including prevention practices, coordinated responses, roles of mental health professionals, mental health and suicide assessment and intervention strategies, secondary trauma, resilience, and post-traumatic growth.
ARTTH 617 – Culminating Project I 1 credit. Integrates knowledge about the profession including impactful literature included in a professional research proposal. Projects will involve elements of established research methods, innovative methods of inquiry, a synthesis of practice techniques, and program design advocating for the profession or for clients. Students will present and critique project proposals
ARTTH 622 – Practicum 3 credits. Allows students to practice 100 hours in a clinical setting with 50 hours of direct client contact demonstrating initial skills, attitudes, and behaviors on professional competencies along with the continuing development of professional identity founded in ethical practice, cultural sensitivity, and student reflection through professional on-site supervision and group supervision in an academic setting.
ARTTH 624 – Drawing and Projective Assessments 3 credits. Comprises an in-depth study of projective, drawing and art therapy assessment tools and methods, including administration, measurement, documentation, and the formulation of culturally appropriate treatment goals, objectives, and strategies related to case conceptualization and ongoing evaluation.
ARTTH 626 – Lifestyle and Career Development3 credits. Explores vocational, lifestyle, and leisure development, the history of career decision- making theories and models, processes and techniques of career counseling and related art therapy practices, and the interrelationship between career and life balance and mental health incorporating advocacy, social justice, cultural, and ethical considerations.
ARTTH 627 – Culminating Project II 1 credit. Implements established research or project design from Culminating Project I to include data collection, expanded literature review work, and interpretation of data along with planning for final report writing.
ARTTH 632 – Internship I 3 credits. Provides students with opportunities to engage in 300 hours of advanced practice and demonstrate knowledge, skills, and attitudes/behaviors of art therapy and counseling competencies. This internship includes substantial direct experience facilitating art therapy and counseling with clients served through the internship site. Emphasis is placed on building the therapeutic relationship, case conceptualization skills, formulation of treatment planning and a formal case presentation. Participation in weekly on-site supervision and weekly 1 ½ hour supervision groups is required.
ARTTH 634 – Community/Mental Health in Context 3 credits. Emphasizes the dynamics of mental health practice in context incorporating art therapy, counseling and psychological theories, case conceptualization, processes of assessment including intake, mental status evaluation, biopsychosocial history, formal and informal assessment processes. Diagnostic criteria and differential diagnoses based upon the current DSM and ICD are covered as well as goal setting, treatment planning, and referral procedures.
ARTTH 636 – Family Systems 3 credits. Explores basic theoretical concepts in Family Systems Theory including historical and conceptual evolution of the field. It comprises an introduction to General Systems Theory; family rules, roles, structure and interaction patterns; functional and dysfunctional family systems; cultural considerations, and the life cycle in marriage and family including assessment and treatment applications of art therapy and counseling.
ARTTH 637 – Culminating Project III 1 credit. Completes the work of Culminating Project I and Culminating Project II to include final report writing, committee defense, and final presentation of the thesis/project.
ARTTH 642 – Internship II 3 credits. Provide students 300 more hours of advanced practice and opportunities to demonstrate knowledge, skills and attitudes/behaviors of art therapy and counseling competencies including further development of a strong professional Art Therapist and Counselor identity founded in ethical practice valuing benefits of student/therapist reflective art- making to inform clinical practice. This internship also offers an opportunity to develop an art therapy and counseling specialization with a particular population or setting. Emphasis is placed on 150 hours of direct experience in developing and facilitating art therapy treatment with clientele who are served by the internship site - developing and implementing art therapy and counseling treatment and approaches, for both individuals and groups, that will demonstrate advanced knowledge, cultural competence, and ability to critically analyze and describe in-depth experience with a specific area of art therapy and counseling practice. Students are assessed through on-site supervision, faculty supervision, and related course assignments.
ARTTH 646 – Substance Use, Abuse, Treatment 3 credits. Provides an overview of the history and etiology of addiction through a biopsychosocial model addressing substance and process addictions. It also includes methods of screening, assessment, and evidence-based treatment options as well as methods of prevention.
Program Elective Course
ARTTH 608 – Studio Arts for the Art Therapist 3 credits. Cultivates an artist identity working across a variety of artistic materials in two and three dimensions. Students will focus on areas of art making where skill development and practice will enhance a foundational understanding of students’ artist self along with personal cultural constructs in preparation for a lifelong practice of artmaking and working with clients.
