Art Therapy (BA)
Major
5-year Program
Art Therapy Department
The bachelor's degree in Art Therapy at NDMU provides the foundation to pursue a rewarding career in one of the newest specializations within the helping professions. Core classes in art and psychology introduce concepts in human development and psychological theories, as well as techniques for counseling and creating art. Through hands-on learning which includes a final practicum, successful graduates are prepared to pursue graduate school, a requirement for becoming a professional art therapist.
Program Location
Features of the Art Therapy Program
- Integration of Knowledge & Skills – essential courses in art and psychology paired with research opportunities prepare you for graduate school
- Art Therapy Courses – directly introduce the theory and practice of art therapy
- Partnerships for Experiential Learning – nonprofit and school partnerships provide practicum opportunities to practice pre-professional skills while also helping the community
- Professional Development – exhibit your work, build connections, and develop the leadership and communication skills valued by employers
- Social Responsibility – an emphasis on current social justice issues provides opportunities to co-design art-based activist programming on campus and within the community
http://catalog.ndm.edu/undergraduate-catalog/school-of-arts-and-sciences/art-therapy
Graduate School
Upon successfully completing a bachelor’s degree in art therapy, graduates will have the foundation courses needed to apply for a graduate program. In order to become a professional art therapist, a master’s degree is required. For more information about becoming a professional art therapist, visit the American Art Therapy Association.
MA in Art Therapy at NDMU
Our graduate art therapy program is offered in a full or part-time format. It builds on the foundation of the bachelor’s program with a curriculum designed to meet Maryland state licensure requirements as well as national art therapy educational standards.
Internship placements are an essential part of the program, allowing you to steadily advance your clinical skills and complete clinical hours that may apply toward state licensure requirements.
Free Housing for Graduate Students
Students in the graduate art therapy program have the opportunity for free on-campus housing, with an estimated value of $11,000 annually. For more information, contact ncross2@ndm.edu.
Accelerated 5-Year Program
Those that qualify may also pursue an accelerated pathway to earn both the BA and MA in Art Therapy at NDMU in just five years.
Student
Grace Cross
Support & Care
Student, NDMU Class of 2022
Art Therapy (BA)
NDMU’s community of students and faculty have helped me gain confidence both in and out of the classroom. The small campus has helped me find my voice and my leadership positions on campus have given me skills to use in my professional career. The tight-knit community helps me feel supported and cared for even when I’m far away from home.
Research
One of the hallmarks of the rich educational environment at NDMU is the opportunity to participate in research in your field of interest. Our annual Nancy Kreiter Student Research Day provides the perfect forum to showcase your hard work with a formal research presentation to the NDMU community.
Practicum Experience
In the fourth year, art therapy majors take everything learned and apply it through a supervised field placement. More than an internship, the practicum experience integrates theory, science, and practice. It is an opportunity to take the skills and concepts learned in class and apply them within a real-world setting, which is explored through a final research paper and presentation, including an art-based workshop for faculty and peers.
Practicum placements are tailored to your interests and can include working with diverse patient populations across all age groups.
Art Therapy majors may also choose to mount a senior exhibition of their work, emphasizing their development within the major and the narrative power of art.
Examples of Practicum Placements
- Sheppard Pratt Health System
- Make Studio Art Program
- Tracy’s Kids
- Lifebridge Health System
- St. Elizabeth School
Art Therapy Careers
Art therapy as a profession integrates mental health and human services to enrich lives. It encompasses active art-making, the creative process, applied psychological theory, and the human experience within a psychotherapeutic relationship.
Professional art therapists, including those licensed in Maryland, work in a variety of settings helping clients manage behavior and addiction, reduce anxiety, reconcile emotional conflict and much more.
Employment Settings
- Schools
- Hospitals
- Veteran's Clinics
- Private Practice
- Psychiatric & Rehabilitation Facilities
- Community based settings
- Senior Communities
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Art Making & Self-Reflection
Art making is included in courses throughout the Art Therapy program as a way to integrate knowledge and skills while continuing to practice self-reflection.
