Art Therapy 30 credits

(30 credits plus 19 credits of experiential learning)

The professional major in Art Therapy is designed for students interested in using art modalities in working with adults and children in a variety of settings. It prepares students for entry-level positions in a number of human services settings, such as social service agencies, childcare programs or specialized school programs, and other community settings. It is also designed to prepare students for entry into a professional Master's degree program in Art Therapy and/or Expressive Art Therapies. This major combines pre-professional courses in the human services with substantial coursework in psychology and an Art minor. Students will complete over 400 hours in the field.

I. REQUIRED CORE (18 CREDITS):

II. REQUIRED STUDIO / SURVEY ARTS (12 Credits):

A. Art History (3 Credits) - Choose ONE:

B. Studio Art Foundation Courses* (9 Credits):

The foundation courses are designed to give art therapy majors a broad experience in 2D and 3D studio work. Students are required to take a course in drawing, painting and 3D, choosing from either the IARTS courses at Lesley OR, after having passed IFNDN 1615, an equivalent through the additional Fine Arts courses at AIB.

Choose ONE:

Choose ONE:

Choose ONE:

Note: Graduate schools will look for a broader studio art base. Advanced courses are designed to give students more depth of study in at least one of the areas of the foundation courses. If students have taken IFNDN 1615 Drawing Fundamentals, they can take any 2000 level Fine Arts course that takes their drawing, painting or 3D work to a more advanced level.

*Students planning to apply for the dual degree program or graduate school will need 9 additional credits of studio art courses and 3 additional credits of psychology.

REQUIRED INTERNSHIPS (19 Credits):

RECOMMENDED COURSES:

Not part of major.

* Minimum grade of "C" required to pass this course.

** Check prerequisites.

Dual Degree Art Therapy

Bachelor of Science/Master of Arts in Art Therapy*

* Students interested in this dual degree program should speak to the Art Therapy Dual-Degree Coordinator

The Dual Degree Program in Art Therapy is an honors program designed for exceptional students. The integrated B.S./M.A. program is developed for Lesley College students who are interested in accelerating their educational experience in a program combining the curriculum of the undergraduate art therapy major and a graduate program in Art Therapy and Mental Health Counseling.

The program is designed for students who demonstrate a high level of maturity and academic potential. Essentially an honors program, the integrated program demands that students be able to achieve the academic rigor of graduate education by the time they reach their junior year of traditional undergraduate study. Students in this accelerated program must be able to achieve a level of introspection and cultural awareness necessary to engage in clinical work at a relatively young chronological age. Qualified students apply in the fall of their junior year and must be accepted for admission into the Expressive Therapies Division, Graduate School of Arts and Social Sciences. This deadline may be altered for students who transfer to Lesley College.

The qualities looked for upon admission include, but are not limited to:

• Ability to empathize and be compassionate within a therapeutic environment
• Demonstrated psychological strength to work with different clinical populations
• Well-organized, independent, motivated, takes initiative
• Ability to handle complexity
• Works well under stress
• Ability to integrate theory and practice
• Demonstrated conceptual literacy
• Willingness to take creative risks in studio work
• Proficiency and disciplined commitment in art making
• Evidence of a range of experience using a variety of art materials and processes

Students are advised jointly in their junior and senior year by the coordinator of the undergraduate Art Therapy program and a graduate school advisor designated for the dual degree program.

Admissions Criteria for Dual Degree Art Therapy Candidates

Students will apply for the Master's program in the fall of their junior year. Transfer students may follow an alternate timeline.

1. 3.3 GPA
2. 12 credits in psychology, including Abnormal Psychology and Developmental Psychology with grades of B or better
3. 18 credits of studio art courses
4. A Portfolio on DVD with 15 slides of their artwork. The slides should represent a variety of media, including two- and three-dimensional works demonstrating the applicant's technical abilities and the range of their self-expression.
5. One 3 credit course in Principles of Art Therapy or an art therapy course that includes the history and survey of the profession, different theoretical approaches to art therapy, and its application to various populations.
6. Letter of academic support from undergraduate faculty advisor or the Art Therapy undergraduate program coordinator, or from core faculty in your division in consultation with the Art Therapy program coordinator.
7. Successful completion of an admissions interview and review process through the Expressive Therapies Division.

Accepted students complete the Art Therapy major (see above) in addition to the following:

I. GRADUATE REQUIRED COURSES (51 Credits):

Choose ONE:

II. ELECTIVES (21 Credits):

Undergraduate - 12 Credits

Graduate - 9 Credits (6 in art therapy, 3 in expressive therapies)

*To be taken as an undergrad

**Must be taken before 2nd graduate field experience

***You may substitute a "Special Populations" elective

CARTH 2423

Principles of Art Therapy

3 credits

This course provides an introduction to the history, philosophy, and theory of art therapy. Students will learn about the creative process and visual expression as it relates to therapy. Readings, lectures, films, and experiential exercises will be utilized. No artistic ability or training is necessary.

CARTH 3523

Art Therapy with Specific Populations

3 credits

This course builds on the student's knowledge of art therapy and the creative process by looking at the application of art therapy with different populations. Populations include different age groups, clinical diagnoses, and settings. Students will also learn about various approaches such as medical art therapy and community art therapy. Pre-requisite: CARTH 2423.

CARTH 4523

Studio-Based Art Therapy

3 credits

Students will gain an experiential as well as theoretical understanding of studio-based art therapy by actively engaging in art making within the group. A major goal will be to deepen the student's understanding of and comfort with the creative process through their own creative exploration. Readings, group discussions, and processing of the art-making experiences will be utilized.

Prerequisite: CARTH 3523, senior status, or permission of the instructor.

CPSYC 1401

Lifespan Development

3 credits

This course offers a comprehensive study of the theoretical perspectives and contemporary research on human development, exploring various stages of life and the developmental tasks associated with each. The major theories pertaining to cognitive, emotional, moral, and social development throughout the lifespan are explored, with attention given to the interaction of environmental and familial factors with the usual course of development.

CPSYC 3405

Abnormal Psychology

3 credits

Students are introduced to the dynamics of normal and abnormal behavior and adjustment. The course emphasizes the study of basic needs, anxiety, defense mechanisms, neurosis, psychosis, psychotherapy, and prevention of disorder. In-depth consideration of psychoanalytic theory is contrasted with existential and other theories. Case studies are used.

CSOCS 3444

Research Methods in the Social Sciences

3 credits

Study of the logic, rules, and techniques of social science research. Topics include relationship of theory and research; research design; measurement; and analysis of data, including elementary statistical analysis. Data collection methods such as experimentation, observation, interviews and questionnaires, and secondary analysis of available data are studied and utilized in research projects. Prerequisites: Fulfillment of Social Science general education requirement.