This program of study is designed to meet the requirements for students to become licensed as clinical professional counselors in the state of Illinois and to become registered art therapists with the Art Therapy Credentials Board. The American Art Therapy Association approved the program in 1992.
The program leading to the Master of Arts in Art Therapy Counseling combines classroom instruction, practicum, and research. Foundation courses are based in psychodynamic orientation including attachment and object relations theory. However, students will gain an understanding of diverse theoretical viewpoints and methods of practice through spring and fall conferences, bringing in nationally known speakers. Since the program is housed in the Department of Art and Design, there is an emphasis on art making throughout the program. Classes are small and experiential learning is integral to the program. In order to ensure a quality program with individualized instruction, only 10 students are accepted into the program each fall.
The Master of Arts degree in Art Therapy Counseling requires a minimum of 60 semester hours.
Prior to beginning ART 559 - Practicum in Art Therapy, students must undergo a mid-course review to determine readiness to work with a client population in a counseling setting. The review is comprised of a self critique, evaluations from all instructors, and a meeting with the program director and faculty. The faculty will evaluate a student's ability to continue in the program based upon an examination of the student’s performance in fieldwork, academic learning, professionalism, ability to participate in and process class experiential learning, and psychological readiness to take on a more intensive practicum.
Students are required to complete a final project, which can be a traditional research paper or a creative effort accompanied by a written paper in appropriate academic form. The topic and format must be acceptable to the thesis committee, which is composed of the director of the Art Therapy Counseling program and two other graduate faculty members.
After the final project is submitted and evaluated by the advisory committee, the candidate must successfully complete an oral examination conducted by the thesis committee.