Art Therapy MFT Program
POST-MASTER’S PROGRAM
Embedded within the program coursework is a curriculum schedule for a post-graduate program. The program is intended for professionals with Masters or doctoral degrees who are interested in a clinical specialty. The program is designed to meet the educational standards of AATA. Upon completion of the program and completion of required hours, graduates are eligible to apply for the national ATR registration. The 30-unit post-master’s program is three semesters long. Participation in the 9-day Residential Intensives is required for students in the post-master’s program. Entrance and application requirements are identical to the program requirements, with the additional requirement of a master’s degree.
CLINICAL TRAINING AND PLACEMENTS
Post-graduate interns or licensed professionals interested in the post-master’s program
may count private practice art therapy hours, but are also required to complete 700
hours of experience of which 350 are direct client contact hours. Please read the
master’s program materials for additional information on placement and clinical services.
ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
- Each student admitted to the Post-Master’s program shall hold a related master’s degree (minimum 48 semester credits or 72 quarter credits) from an accredited institution in the United States, or have the equivalent academic preparation from an institution outside the United States. Related master’s degrees include: expressive or creative arts therapies, counseling, social work, psychology, psychiatric nursing, and other mental health professions. Other related degrees not directly tied to licensure include fine arts, art education, and special education. Other related degrees may be considered and require approval by the program director.
- Each student admitted to the Post-Master’s program shall successfully complete not later than twelve (12) months after entering the program (and including credits taken before admission) a minimum of eighteen (18) semester hour credits (or twenty-seven [27] quarter-hour credits) of study in studio art which demonstrates proficiency and disciplined commitment in art making. Equivalency of non-academic studio art experience or art therapy based coursework may be specified in the program’s literature. It is imperative that the applicants evidence a range of experience using a variety of art materials and processes.
- Prior to completion of the Post-Master’s program, students are required to document completion of the following required related content areas at the graduate level: (these could have been completed as part of a related master’s degree, or can be completed simultaneously with study in the post-master’s program):
- Psychopathology: Criteria of psychiatric diagnoses, use of the DSM multi-axial system, and theories of psychopathology. Ability to recognize indicators of functional and organic disorders. Basic knowledge of types of psychopharmacological medications.
- Human Growth and Development: Human psychological development across the lifespan, theories of personality development, cultural and environmental influences. Familiarity with human behavior, including developmental crises, disability, exceptional behavior, and addictive behavior.
- Counseling and Psychological Theories: Historical development of counseling and psychological theories, understanding of systems perspective, application to case material, and interviewing and counseling skills.
- Cultural and Social Diversity: Theories of counseling and development of competencies essential for a culturally responsive therapist with regard to age, gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity, nationality, socio-economic status, developmental disability, education, family values, and religious and spiritual values. Cultural self-awareness through self-assessment, strategies for working with diverse communities, and critical thinking with regard to attitudes, beliefs, and competent practice.
- Assessment: Historical perspectives of assessment, basic concepts of standardized and non-standardized testing and assessment, fundamentals of psychological testing, biopsychosocial assessment, statistical concepts including reliability and validity, strategies for selection of the assessment tool, and familiarity with a variety of specific instruments and procedures used in appraisal and evaluation.
- Research: Basic tenets of planning, conducting, and evaluating research and understanding research methodology, to include qualitative and quantitative designs. The importance of research in the psychotherapy professions, ethical, practical, and legal considerations, and the use of research to assess effectiveness of mental health services.
- Studio Art: Explore the impact of art processes and materials through ongoing participation in personal art making. Strengthen connection to the creative process, understanding of personal symbolic language, and arts based learning allowing for the opportunity to integrate intellectual, emotional, artistic, and interpersonal knowledge.
ACADEMIC SCHEDULE: Post-Master’s Art Therapy Program (30 units)
Fall Year One
Community Based Studio Art Therapy (3 units)
7360 Practicum I (3 units)
Child and Adolescent Therapy (2 units)
Writing Lab I (1 unit)
Spring Year One
Child, Adolescent, and Family Life Cycle (2 units)
Art Therapy and Relational Neurobiology Studio (3 units)
Psychology/Behavior/Health (2 units)
7114 Assessment (1 unit lab)
7360 Practicum (3 units)
Writing Lab II optional (1 units)
Summer Year One
Group and Family Counseling (3 units)
Art Therapy History and Literature (3 units)
7360 Practicum (2 units)
Fall Year Two
Research Project (2 units)
SCHEDULE OF COURSES SUBJECT TO CHANGE
Not all courses will be available until 2014-15.
Please contact program director for more information