Master of Arts in Art Therapy with an Emphasis in Counseling
The Master of Arts in Art Therapy with an Emphasis in Counseling (MAAT) program is designed for persons who utilize or plan to utilize art in therapy or art as therapy. Emphasis is given to understanding and applying theories of art therapy, counseling and psychopathology, and to develop the therapeutic self. The 60 semester credit hour curriculum offers a focus in creativity/spirituality. Courses are offered in a format that combines distance learning with limited time on campus. This program is designed especially for students who, because of work, family or other commitments, cannot pursue a graduate degree in the traditional way. Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College has offered this type of distance learning format for more than 40 years. Students spend four to six days on campus at the beginning of the Fall and Spring semesters, and complete coursework (through guided mentored study with faculty and interactive activities) from their homes. In addition, students will spend seven days on campus in the middle of the Summer term. Housing opportunities are available on or off campus when students attend the week or weekend intensives.
The MAAT curriculum is divided into five parts: (1) Theory and Technique, (2) Group Intensive, (3) Professional Development & Practica , (4) Thesis Research, and (5) Spiritual Growth . All courses are taught by credentialed specialists in the field of art, art therapy, psychology and counseling. Students participate in hands on side-by-side real life learning with a registered art therapist during their clinical courses. Students’ culminating research projects contribute to the professional literature in the field of art therapy.
The MAAT program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP). Upon completion of the program, students become eligible to apply for provisional registration as an art therapist (ATRP) by the Art Therapy Credentials Board (ATCB).
Program Goals
The goal of the Master of Arts in Art Therapy with emphasis in Counseling program is to educate students on theory and techniques that facilitate culturally and trauma informed practices within art therapy and counseling including use of creativity through art media for emotional, psychological, and spiritual growth.
- To prepare competent entry-level Art Therapists in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavior) learning domains
- To provide instruction, experience, and resources for students according to the educational guidelines for art therapy education programs through the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Program.
- To foster the student’s ability to integrate theories of art therapy, counseling, and psychopathology as related to the therapeutic self.
- To foster the student’s development of appropriate art therapy and counseling skills utilized in treatment.
- To foster independent learning, critical thinking and the ability for the student to articulate their own meaning of art therapy.
- To foster a community of learning and mutual support during and after the residencies.
Program Learning Outcomes
Students graduating from this program will be able to:
- Integrate knowledge of historical foundations of art therapy and counseling theory and techniques into practical contemporary professional practice of art therapy as evidenced by coursework and, fieldwork evaluations.
- Distinguish therapeutic benefits of art therapy as applied to a variety of client bases for promoting growth and wellbeing as evidenced through fieldwork evaluations, and the gateway assessment report. Elements of art therapy benefit include:
- Therapeutic properties and interventions within media application
- Recognition of imagery, symbolism and metaphor
- Therapeutic use of various art processes
- Apply analytical, evaluative, integrative, culturally and developmentally appropriate art therapy and counseling skills incorporating knowledge of diagnostic processes in accord with the current Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM) and International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problem (ICD) as evidenced by gateway assessment report and fieldwork evaluations.
- Assessment,
- Treatment Planning and
- Implementation skills
(These skills will reflect principles of human development including models of artistic and creativity, gender and sexuality, family life and psychopathology)
- Identify and respond to all professional circumstances including state licensing and credentialing criteria with appropriate ethical and legal knowledge and action in all levels of practice including the provision of treatment, conducting research, advocacy, and social justice as evidenced by fieldwork evaluations and final thesis review.
- Articulate and pursue an ever-evolving personal identity as an art therapist through the engagement of ongoing art making for personal growth and self-awareness while incorporating supervision and consultation in an effort to continually inform clinical practice in art therapy and in counseling. This will be evidenced by final art exhibit, final thesis review, and fieldwork evaluations.
- Develop appropriate and collaborative therapeutic relationships with clients; implement art therapy and counseling services that consider diverse values, beliefs and actions while realizing the impact of oppression, prejudice, discrimination, and privilege; and develop responsive practices that include collaboration, empowerment, advocacy and social justice as evidenced by fieldwork evaluations and the multicultural research project.
Admission Requirements
- Official transcripts
- Bachelor’s degree from a regionally-accredited institution
- Cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale)
- At least 18 semester credit hours in studio art (drawing - 3; ceramics - 3; painting - 3; sculpture - 3; and 6 more studio art credits)
- At least 12 semester credit hours in psychology (general psychology-3; theories of personality-3; developmental, birth to death-3; and abnormal psychology-3)
- Competence with art materials as demonstrated by a portfolio (drawing, painting, ceramics and sculpture)
- Personal goals and biographical statement (250 words typed)
Graduation Requirements
- Successful completion of the 60 credit hours required curriculum
- Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale)
- Remediation of all academic and art deficiencies identified upon admission
- No more than 18 graduate credit hours may be transferred from other regionally-accredited institutions
- All degree requirements must be completed within seven years of admission
- Completion of a master’s capstone art exhibition, thesis symposium, and thesis submission
Transfer Courses for Graduate Credit Acceptance from Other Institutions
The student is required to complete a minimum of 30 semester hours of graduate study through courses at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College. After consultation with and approval from the Director, a student may request approval to take an equivalent course at another institution for transfer credit. Students are required to send a written request to the MAAT Director for approval prior to enrolling in the course. Courses ineligible for transfer credits include: AR 590, CN 576, CN 577, CN 578, and AR 591.
The following criteria apply:
- The courses will not exceed 18 hours of transfer credit allowed from an accredited institution.
- The course meets the requirements of the program.
- The course provides a particular benefit not otherwise available to the student.
- All transfer credits, whether earned before or during the MAAT program, are applied when the student becomes eligible for graduation and transfer transcripts are filed.
MAAT Curriculum
60 credit hours required for degree*
Required Courses (57 credit hours)
| AR 501 | Introduction to Art Therapy & Counseling | 3 |
| AR 510 | History and Theory of Art Therapy/Counseling | 3 |
| AR 521 | Art Therapy and Drawing Assessments | 3 |
| AR 526 | Social and Cultural Issues in Art Therapy and Counseling | 3 |
| AR 530 | Foundations of Art Therapy and Mental Health Counseling | 3 |
| AR 594 | Art Therapy Practicum | 3 |
| CN 536 | Contextual Dimensions in Clinical Mental Health Treatment | 3 |
| AR 542 | Art Therapy and Counseling through Lifespan Development | 3 |
| AR 562 | Spirituality, Creativity, Metaphor, and Symbolism | 3 |
| AR 596 | Internship I | 3 |
| AR 597 | Internship II | 3 |
| AR 581 | Group Dynamics in Art Therapy and Counseling | 3 |
| AR 583 | Ethics and Practice in Helping Professions | 3 |
| AR 590 | Research Methodologies | 3 |
| AR 591 | Thesis | 3 |
| CN 520 | Advanced Appraisal and Assessment | 3 |
| CN 560 | Psychopathology | 3 |
| CN 580 | Theories and Techniques of Counseling | 3 |
| CN 585 | Career Development and Counseling | 3 |
| AR 592 | Thesis Research Symposium | 0 |
| AR 599 | Capstone Art Exhibition | 0 |
Pick one required elective (3 credit hours)
| CN 576 | Quantitative Research Methods | 3 |
| CN 577 | Qualitative Research Methods | 3 |
| CN 578 | Arts-Based Research Methods | 3 |
Contact your program or academic advisor for more information about how these courses may apply to state licensure where applicable. *SMWC cannot guarantee equivalency with state licensing boards. The student is responsible for ensuring that state licensing requirements have been met.
Choose from the following:
| CN 525 | Supervision and Consultation in Helping Professions | 3 |
| CN 535 | Community Counseling | 3 |
| CN 545 | Gender and Sexuality | 3 |
| CN 550 | Crisis Intervention and Trauma-Informed/Focused Care | 3 |
| CN 565 | Family Systems | 3 |
| CN 575 | Addictions Counseling | 3 |
| CN 680 | Advanced Counseling Internship | 3 |
*Additional credits may be required for state licensure
Additional courses:
+AR512 Studio Arts for the Art Therapist (3)
(+This course is a co-requisite with first semester of MAAT program. It does not count toward the 60 required credits for the degree.)