Academics

In the accredited GW Art Therapy Program, students train to be highly skilled therapists whose professional practice is grounded in a broad understanding of current clinical art therapy, counseling and trauma theories. Through a master’s degree that can be completed full time, part time or as a combined BA/MA option, students learn to apply effective research and evaluation methodologies, clinical skills and studio expertise. Students can supplement their classroom studies with study abroad trips, program-hosted colloquia and continuing education seminars, which train participants on advanced clinical issues.

Located at GW’s Alexandria Graduate Education Center, students are close to Washington, D.C.’s many museums and medical research libraries. Between our on-site Art Therapy Clinic and external internship options throughout the area, students gain hundreds of hours of practical training alongside licensed clinicians.

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What Is Art Therapy?

Academic Programs

Four students are seated, painting and having a discussion with Professor Tally Tripp.

A student gesturing to a wall of art in front of a classroom full of students

Three female students sit in a row on computers.

Learning Center

Join us online for an information session discussing the field of art therapy and learn how GW's Master of Arts in Art Therapy can take your career to the next level.

Program Highlights

Offering training from experts, the curriculum enables students to study trauma theory in the classroom and then apply those lessons to real-life client work.

Graphic of three people standing together.

In the GW Art Therapy Clinic, students gain experience alongside registered, board-certified faculty while giving back to the local community.

GW's program is unique in the field for our international focus, offering research and study abroad opportunities in India, Hong Kong, Croatia and more.

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Students complete nearly 1,000 hours of clinical training, many of which may be applied toward professional licensure in art therapy after graduation.

“The Art Therapy Program encourages us to have an identity as an artist as well as an art therapist. As an artist, you are already naturally curious and open to experimentation. That’s what we ask for in the therapy room too: be open, be curious and be willing to look at things in a way you may never have before.”

Christina Hagemeier
MA '18

Program Goals

The Art Therapy Program prepares graduates in accordance with the Accreditation Council for Art Therapy Education (ACATE) Standards and Guidelines for the Accreditation of Educational Programs in Art Therapy: “To prepare competent entry-level Art Therapists in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills) and affective (behavior) learning domains.” To that end, our program goals are aligned with both university priorities and ACATE requirements.

Students will acquire broad art therapy knowledge, skills and values based in psychotherapy, neuropsychology, art processes, creativity, metaphor, assessment, human development, psychopathology, trauma and counseling.
Students will engage in clinical and studio work with insight, self-awareness and a high level of professional, ethical, multicultural and relational expertise with diverse local and international communities.
Students will utilize classroom interactions, supervisory experiences, art making, gallery exhibitions and service-learning opportunities to cultivate their identities as art therapy leaders, artists, researchers, supervisors, advocates and innovators in the workplace, community and profession.

Students will develop proficiency in sustaining the rich history of art therapy by engaging in ongoing professional development; advancing the relationships among sociocultural contexts, institutional regulations and governmental laws; and expanding access to art therapy.
Students will synthesize the latest theories and clinical skills of neuropsychology and art therapy in the treatment of trauma-related disorders.

Accreditation Information

Art Therapy in Practice

Tapping the Healing Power of Art for 50 YearsNovember 10, 2021 One of the first graduate programs of its kind, the CCAS Art Therapy Program now has global reach, a local clinic and faculty looking toward the future.

Can Art Therapy Defuse Teacher Burnout?May 9, 2018 With half a million teachers leaving the profession each year, art therapy graduate student Christina Hagemeier devised a research project to explain the ABCs of burnout — and to show beleaguered educators that they aren’t alone.

GW Art Therapy in South AfricaSeptember 15, 2015 This summer GW Art Therapy students and faculty traveled to South Africa for the Social & Cultural Diversity course.