The Master of Arts in Art Therapy and Counseling is committed to providing a high quality and holistic educational experience. By combining a deep understanding of art materials, the healing potential of the creative process, and sound psychological theory, students are prepared to succeed in this exciting field. The program encourages professional growth within a cohesive and passionate community of students who are sensitive to an ethical, reflective, and socially-aware practice of art therapy. The hallmark of the course curriculum is an intensive, rigorous, and rewarding student-centered approach that fosters reflective thinking and a deep respect for diversity of the human experience.
The Master of Arts in Art Therapy and Counseling Program at Albertus Magnus College offers a progressive and comprehensive curriculum designed to provide students and graduates with a range of hands-on, experiential learning opportunities that will help them succeed as individual or group therapists in a variety of clinical settings.
The 60-credit program allows graduates to meet all educational requirements for licensure as a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) and Clinical Licensed Art Therapist (CLAT) in the state of Connecticut as well as national registration and certification as an art therapist (ATR-BC) with the Art Therapy Credentials Board. .
The Albertus MAATC program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) upon the recommendation of The Accreditation Council for Art Therapy Education.
Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs
25400 US Hwy 19 N., Suite 158
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The program offers a rigorous course progression that combines art therapy materials and techniques, theoretical foundations in art, art therapy, and psychology, and opportunities to participate in art process-based coursework. It's a wonderful blend of psychology and art, synthesized into a Master's level program.
Lisa Furman, Director of Master of Arts in Art Therapy and Counseling
Faculty Members| Positive Placement by Graduation Year | 2020** | 2021 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| # Graduated | 8 | 10 | 9 |
| % Employed in field of study within 6 months of graduation* | 50% | 90% | 100% |
| # Continued to doctoral program | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| % Gainfully employed within 6 months of graduation* | 50% | 90% | 100% |
*Based on response rate of graduates over threshold of 80%.
**Students reported COVID being an issue with placement opportunities.
| Retention by Graduation Year | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| # Initially Enrolled | 10 | 12 | 9 |
| Attrition Due to Non-Academic Reasons | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| # Dropped Out | 1 | 2 | 0 |
| # In-Progress | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| # Graduated | 9 | 10 | 9 |
| Retention Percentage | 90% | 83% | 100% |
Possible career paths with a Master of Arts degree in Art Therapy and Counseling include:
Art Therapist Private Practice Psychotherapist Family Therapist Bereavement Counselor Substance Abuse Counselor Art Therapy Researcher Group Therapist Assisted Living or Senior Center Program DirectorThe Master of Arts in Art Therapy and Counseling degree is a 60-credit program designed to meet or exceed educational standards set by CAAHEP/ACATE (The Accreditation Council for Art Therapy Education) and is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP). Full-time students can complete the program in eight semesters, plus the time it takes to complete a formal written thesis. Students graduate with a master’s degree that allows them to be eligible for licensure as a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in the state of Connecticut.
Program Goals & ObjectivesStudents meet all educational requirements for licensure as a professional counselor (LPC) in the State of CT.
The Master of Arts in Art Therapy and Counseling is committed to providing a high quality educational experience. We promote professional growth within a cohesive and passionate community of students who are sensitive to the ethical, reflective and socially aware practice of art therapy. The hallmark of the program is the intensive, rigorous and rewarding student-centered preparation that fosters reflective thinking, respect for the diversity of human experience, recognition of the value of creative exploration blended with sound psychological theory and scientific research, as well as resiliency through compassion.
The Master of Arts in Art Therapy and Counseling program is designed to prepare students to become practicing art therapists and licensed professional counselors in Connecticut. The program emphasizes the theoretical, practical, and ethical aspects of art therapy practice. Students are trained in foundations and techniques of art therapy, assessment, therapeutic techniques, and research. In addition, the curriculum provides a strong foundation in psychology and counseling to prepare graduates for the licensure exam. Classroom knowledge is applied in working with clients in internships under the supervision of registered art therapists or licensed clinicians. Internship placements occur in a variety of settings and with diverse populations including mental health clinics, geriatric facilities, medical settings, residential treatment centers, outpatient clinics, community centers, and schools. Graduates of the MAATC Program function effectively as members of a treatment team or as a primary art therapist.
Upon completion of the Master of Arts in Art Therapy and Counseling Program, students will be prepared as competent entry-level Art Therapists in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavior) learning domains.
The program goals for our graduating students include the following:
These program goals are achieved through a combination of theory-based learning, experiential learning using art experientials and the creative process, and service learning through practicum experience. Student learning outcomes and competencies are assessed in a variety of ways, including but not limited to course content examinations, theory papers based in evidence-based practice, design and implementation of research projects, feedback from practicum supervisors, reflective writing, and engagement in the creative process.
The mission and curriculum of the MAATC Program is consistent with the mission statement of Albertus Magnus College. Both embrace solid academic grounding, a sense of responsibility to the community, education that leads students to personally and professionally productive careers, and an educational atmosphere that promotes students’ realization of their potentials as scholars and ethical professionals. The curriculum of the MAATC Program, as designed and accomplished, fulfills Albertus Magnus College’s mission.
| Fall Session - Year One | ||
|---|---|---|
| AT 500 | Foundations of Art Therapy | This is a survey course covering the origins of art therapy and its growth as a profession. This course also examines the theories and applications of art therapy in a variety of settings through lecture, reflection, presentations, and discussion. Students will learn how art therapy services are used in various treatment settings by gaining knowledge of the allied health professions (psychosocial rehabilitation disciplines, mental health professions, and other creative arts therapies) with whom art therapists work. (3 credits) |
| AT 505 | Art Therapy with Children/Adolescents | This course will focus on the theories of cognitive, emotional, psychosocial and artistic development in children and adolescents (ages 2–18 years). Students will gain an understanding of the role of art materials and effective therapeutic techniques for children and adolescents; an understanding of the diverse theoretical approaches (e.g., developmental, cognitive, behavioral, psychoanalytic) used for these age groups; and learn to synthesize and apply specific art therapy approaches and strategies to age-related problems (e.g., bereavement, abuse, medical disorders, learning disabilities, school adjustment, peer group interactions). (3 credits) |
| PY 532 | Personality Structure and Dynamics | Exploration of major theories of personality, with emphasis on the psychodynamic approaches most influential among mental health professionals generally and art therapists in particular. The classical psychoanalytic drive/conflict model, the ego analytic defense/adaptation model, relational approaches (e.g., interpersonal and object relations schools), Jungian, humanistic/existential, and cognitive/behavioral approaches will be considered. Students are required to read primary sources and evaluate the influence of those theories on clinical thinking. In addition, there will be a brief review of each theorist’s biography in its historical context and how the prevailing intellectual climate of that era shaped the formulation of each theory. (3 credits) |
| Spring Session - Year One | ||
| AT 502 | Fieldwork in Art Therapy | Students will be placed in “the field” in a therapeutic setting under the supervision of a Registered Art Therapist or other licensed professional. Students begin to get an overview of the duties and roles of the art therapist through direct observation, and begin to learn the skills of interacting with clients directly as well as utilizing clinical supervision on site. In addition to a minimum of 100 hours spent on site, students are required to attend and participate in a once weekly on-campus seminar. A minimum of 50 of the total placement hours needs to be in direct clinical contact with individuals, groups, or families; a minimum of 10 supervision hours are also required. (2 credits) |
| AT 504 | Techniques in Art Therapy | A didactic and experiential course in the use of art in therapeutic settings. Students will engage in an exploration of art media and specific art therapy processes relating to a variety of populations, assessment, as well as the development of treatment goals and objectives. Students will gain experience in facilitating artistic expression, exploring the form and content of art, while developing skills in the understanding of artwork within various dimensions of personality, psychopathology, and treatment. (3 credits) |
| PY 533 | Psychopathology | An overview of abnormal psychology, including cognitive-behavioral, psychodynamic, neuropsychiatric, and socio-cultural perspectives as well as descriptive psychopathology. The course also entails a thorough grounding in the official psychiatric diagnostic classification system (currently DSM-V) that is used by all hospitals, clinics, and rehabilitation facilities as per requirements of third-party payers and treatment review boards. (3 credits) |
| Summer Session - Year One | ||
| PY 530 | Theories of Counseling | A survey of major theories of counseling, including the principal psychodynamic, humanistic, and cognitive-behavioral approaches, that constitute the foundation of all mental health professions. In addition to covering traditional schools of thought, emphasis will be placed on contemporary developments in the area of brief or time-limited treatment and the special difficulties inherent in this change in standard clinical practice. (3 credits) |
| AT 503 | Professional Practices: Ethical Standards and Legal Issues | therapist and mental health counselor. Lectures, readings and discussion will focus on the history and recent developments in ethical and legal responsibility, confidentiality, malpractice, human rights, mental health law, professional organizations, and credentialing and licensing. It is preferable that this course be completed in the first year of the program. (3 credits) |
| AT 580 | Internship | The internship placement will provide students with the hands-on training necessary to gain the basic professional skills of an art therapist. Six credits of internship, 625 hours of placement time, are required, and can be completed over three to four semesters. A minimum of 312.5 of the total placement hours needs to be in direct clinical contact using art therapy with individuals, groups, or families. Internship placements will be offered in a variety of settings. A minimum of 63 of the total placement hours needs to be supervision hours. In addition to the supervised hours spent at the placement site, students will meet weekly with an on-campus supervision group to review and process the internship experience. Departmental permission is also required. (2 credits) |
| Fall Session - Year Two | ||
|---|---|---|
| AT 507 | Theory & Practice of Group Art Therapy | This course provides a theoretical and practical foundation for the integration of sound group therapy practices with a variety of art therapy structural components. Students will utilize both didactic and experiential learning models and be asked to develop skills in recognizing and responding ethically to transference and counter-transference issues that are unique to group therapy process. Emphasis will be on the many aspects of group therapy, including group composition, group process, identifying stages of the group, types of populations, group endings; and their unique applications in the field of art therapy. The class is a group with dynamics of its own, and each student will be asked to learn by participating in and at the same time observing the unfolding of group dynamics within this class setting. (3 credits) |
| PY 534 | Research Methods | This course includes an examination and explanation of basic research strategies and statistical procedures. Students are required to read and interpret current research in art therapy, plan an empirical study, analyze and explain data, and write in APA style. Ethical standards for research as stated by the American Psychological Association will also be reviewed. (3 credits) |
| AT 580 | Internship | The internship placement will provide students with the hands-on training necessary to gain the basic professional skills of an art therapist. Six credits of internship, 625 hours of placement time, are required, and can be completed over three to four semesters. A minimum of 312.5 of the total placement hours needs to be in direct clinical contact using art therapy with individuals, groups, or families. Internship placements will be offered in a variety of settings. A minimum of 63 of the total placement hours needs to be supervision hours. In addition to the supervised hours spent at the placement site, students will meet weekly with an on-campus supervision group to review and process the internship experience. Departmental permission is also required. (2 credits) |
| Spring Session - Year Two | ||
| AT 508 | Art Therapy in a Multicultural World | This course provides an exploration of the socio-cultural influences on the creative expressions of major cultural groups in the United States and the student’s personal identity as it impacts the therapeutic relationship. Emphasis will be on understanding the mediating role of diversity in the development of the counseling relationship, modes of artistic expression, and the development of multicultural competencies. The instructor will coordinate readings, experiential exercises, and guest lectures to illuminate the importance of multicultural awareness and competency in the practice of art therapy. (3 credits) |
| PY 531 | Psych Assessment | This course will familiarize students with the general theory of testing and with various methods of personality and cognitive assessment. Commonly used clinical measures, clinical interviews, standardized tests, and projective drawing tests receive the most attention. Basic scoring and interpretation of selected tests will be covered. In addition, an overview of psychological assessment practice in other areas will be provided. The course will also cover ethical standards governing the development and use of tests and measures. The course will contribute to the development of clinical skills and critical acumen, enabling students to evaluate clients, tests, and test reports effectively. (3 credits) |
| AT 512 | Art Therapy Assessment | This course surveys important art therapy assessment tools. Using lecture, discussion and interactive participation, students gain exposure to and will be able to administer at least 6 standard art therapy assessment tools. Students will also be able to synthesize collected material from evaluations into a cohesive and concise written summary. (2 credits) |
| AT 580 | Internship | The internship placement will provide students with the hands-on training necessary to gain the basic professional skills of an art therapist. Six credits of internship, 625 hours of placement time, are required, and can be completed over three to four semesters. A minimum of 312.5 of the total placement hours needs to be in direct clinical contact using art therapy with individuals, groups, or families. Internship placements will be offered in a variety of settings. A minimum of 63 of the total placement hours needs to be supervision hours. In addition to the supervised hours spent at the placement site, students will meet weekly with an on-campus supervision group to review and process the internship experience. Departmental permission is also required. (2 credits) |
| Summer Session - Year Two | ||
| AT 514 | Art Therapy and the Family | Art Therapy and the Family will provide students with an overview of the field of family therapy and its various systemic perspectives through the lens of art therapy. The course will provide students with the basic professional skills needed for an art therapist working with diverse family forms. Students will examine myriad definitions of “family” and how it develops within a social/cultural context. Didactic, group, and experiential formats explore the role of the therapist in various family systems through self-reflection, art imagery, and collaboration. Ethical considerations and multicultural issues will be integrated into the content and process of the course. (2 credits) |
| PY 535 | Career Counseling | Through an examination of career development theories and decision-making models, the student will gain an under-standing of career development planning, organization, implementation, and evaluation. The interrelationships among work and other life roles will also be explored. (3 credits) |
| Fall Session - Year Three | ||
|---|---|---|
| AT 520 | Trauma Informed Art Therapy and Counseling | In this combined theoretical and art experiential course, students will understand the concepts of trauma-informed work in art therapy and counseling. Through the creation of their own response artwork, readings, and discussion, students will learn how art-based interventions support the essential features of trauma-informed care and post-traumatic growth: empathy, agency, safety, resilience, and empowerment. Students are required to demonstrate experimentation with and develop knowledge of a variety of art media and trauma informed counseling techniques. Students will develop increased empathy for the client experience of trauma and an improved understanding of the role of the counselor/therapist in trauma treatment. (3 credits) |
| ATP 599 | Thesis Proposal | Each student works to formulate a research idea and develop a thesis proposal by the end of the semester. (3 credits) |
| Spring Session - Year Three | ||
| AT 513 | AT with Adults/Seniors | A survey of the developmental and theoretical issues involved in providing counseling and art therapy services to diverse clients across the span of adulthood. Through didactic and experiential means the physical and psychosocial effects of aging will be explored along with a review of various treatment techniques and intervention strategies. (3 credits) |
| ATP 600 | Thesis Seminar | Completion of AT/PY 599 is required before registration for this course. During this course the student will work with thesis advisors, the MAATC Director, and the Psychology Chairperson while completing an approved thesis proposal, collecting and analyzing data, and completing the final thesis. The thesis must be completed within two years of the date of the thesis proposal approval. (2 credits) |
| AT 510 | Art Therapy in Substance Abuse and Chemical Dependency Treatment | This course examines the special issues and problems for art therapists and counselors in providing services to clients with alcohol/drug abuse diagnoses and behavioral addictions. Emphasis will be placed on treatment approaches and practices appropriate for psychiatric hospitalization, inpatient rehabilitation programs, day treatment, and outpatient services. (1 credit) |
Interested in learning more about the diverse courses offered at Albertus?
Students complete 100 hours of Fieldwork observation and 625 hours of Internship under the supervision of a Registered Art Therapist or other licensed mental health professional. Placements are offered over four semesters and are in diverse settings including various ages and stages of development as well as treatment settings that include studio-based, educational, and clinical models of care. Practical hours are supported by a site supervisor who provides individual support, hands-on skill development, and timely feedback. Concurrently, students are supported in the classroom with direct faculty oversight and peer group experiential learning that meets standards put forth by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP).
Rebecca Arnold, Associate Professor and Clinical Coordinator
What We will Need from youTo be admitted to the Art Therapy and Counseling program, applicants must submit the following:
General RequirementsThe following will be required of all applicants accepted into the Master of Arts in Art Therapy and Counseling Program:
Students who lack some of the above requirements may be admitted to the Program on a conditional basis. Students will not be permitted to take graduate courses without having successfully completed a minimum of 12 undergraduate credits in psychology and 15 undergraduate credits in studio art. Outstanding prerequisites must be completed within the first year of the program.
Admission to the MAATC Program is selective and competitive, and not every applicant who meets the above criteria may be accepted. The Art Therapy Admissions Committee will make admission decisions after reviewing all application materials and conducting a personal interview with the applicant.
Application Process RequirementsWe work on a rolling admission basis and generally admit 16-18 students a year for a fall start. The application deadline is July 1.
The following must be submitted in order to have an application for admission evaluated:
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