MA in Art Therapy

In the Master of Arts in Art Therapy, students learn to become art therapists positioned for careers in schools, health care institutions, research centers and more. Under the mentorship of faculty who are all credentialed art therapists, students explore their artistic identity, as well as the varying aspects of art therapy, trauma training, diagnosis and assessment. The curriculum also builds a theoretical foundation in individual, family and group counseling, psychopathology and human development. 

By the end of the program, students complete nearly 1,000 hours of required internship, and they have the option to deepen their focus on an area with a thesis. Graduates leave prepared to earn professional licensure in art therapy and counseling

Application Deadline

Rolling applications: November 15 to February 1 (recommended deadline of January 5 for scholarship and funding applicants)

Note: All students begin the program in the fall semester. Online programming is not available. 

Attend an Information Session

Join us for an information session discussing the field of art therapy and our unique master's program. Upcoming sessions will be posted when scheduled.

 

 

Program Highlights

 

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Clinical Training

Our students regularly cite their experience in the GW Art Therapy Clinic as one of the major advantages of the program and as a central factor in the development of their art therapist identity. Students serve a wide range of clients and hone their clinical and case management skills. Sessions are videotaped and reviewed by the student and their small case consultation group. Clinical internship options include individual, group and family art therapy; diagnostic assessments; and other expressive therapies such as dance, music and movement.

 

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Professional Licensure

The program requires students to complete 900 internship hours, 400 of which are direct client contact. Many of those 900 hours may be applied toward the hours required for earning the title of Registered Art Therapist with the Art Therapy Credentials Board (in states that provide licensure). Applicants for licensure must complete the required hours before applying to sit for the licensure exam and become Board Certified Registered Art Therapists (ATR-BC). 

 

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Clinical and Artistic Balance

The program incorporates demanding coursework, internships at partner organizations and experience working with clients in the clinic. Every class integrates art techniques including printmaking, clay sculpture, watercolor, batik and collage. Student artists display their artwork in regular exhibits in the program’s contemporary gallery space. View samples of recent student artwork. View gallery blog.

 

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Trauma Training

All students in the master’s program complete trauma training, an essential skill for future art therapists, in their second year. Students study trauma theories and techniques in the classroom and then apply those lessons to real-life client work, working individually with clients in our on-site GW Art Therapy Clinic and consulting on cases with experienced therapists.

Course Requirements

Optional Thesis: Master’s students may choose to complete a thesis based on original research. Students apply for the thesis option after their first semester and register for a three-credit Thesis Research course.