If you are interested in a career in the human services field, art therapy is a great choice. Art therapy courses are designed to meet the needs of both art-makers and service-oriented people, and will introduce you to the human services field. While master’s level art therapy training focuses on preparing students for professional practice, undergraduate training helps you develop studio skills and behavioral and social sciences knowledge. After all, who doesn’t want to help people while they’re having fun?
Online Course
If you’re a complete newbie to the field, online art therapy courses are a great place to start. These courses are designed to provide the fundamentals you need to become an effective art therapist, whether that’s through a master’s degree program or employment. They can even help you overcome your fears. You don’t need any artistic experience to take this course, so all you need is a willingness to try new things and an open mind.
Many online art therapy courses offer a wide variety of techniques for creating artwork, from coloring to pointillism to mind maps. They can help you learn new techniques for managing stress and enhancing concentration levels. Many of these courses can also be completed on your own, making them ideal for the busy schedule of today’s lives. And, because they’re offered online, you can easily get started right away. Online art therapy courses can be found at any time.
Regardless of the educational level you’re pursuing, there are many ways to study online for free. Reed Courses is a good choice for this, as it offers many free courses in different fields. Some of these courses can help you develop your professional and personal life, and they’re a great way to get started without investing a dime. You may also have the option to attend a physical art therapy course if you’re interested in this field.
If you are serious about becoming an art therapist, you should look into online master’s in art therapy. The majority of programs last approximately two years and include a supervised clinical practicum. A few programs require you to complete an internship in order to get a license. The internship can be in a community setting, clinical setting, or private practice setting, and it can be valuable in fulfilling licensure requirements. However, make sure to check with prospective schools about internship requirements. Some may require you to visit their campus during their internship process.
There are also programs that focus on introductory online art therapy. These courses are designed to provide a solid foundation to any art therapy sessions you may conduct. You can also use these courses to add a new perspective to your current art therapy sessions. These programs can also be accredited by the American Art Therapy Association and can count for continuing education clock hours. A course from an accredited art therapy program is essential to a successful career in the field.
Pre-Professional Studies
Students interested in pursuing a career in art therapy should consider completing a bachelor’s degree in pre-professional studies in the behavioral and social sciences. These courses cover current literature, case studies, guest speakers, and research skills. The program is designed to prepare students for continuing their studies in master’s programs in art therapy, but may also be a good fit for students interested in wellness-related careers.
An accredited art therapy program should offer the following core courses: psychology, philosophy, and pre-professional studies. These courses help students build a solid foundation for their art therapy education. For example, a minor in therapeutic arts from a school like the University of Tampa will provide students with a broader perspective on the therapeutic aspects of art making. The curriculum emphasizes how art can be used to work with both children and adults in different settings. Besides providing a broad understanding of the field, a minor in therapeutic art will help students develop their artistic skills and professional ethics.
The course curriculum for this program at Concordia University emphasizes art processes and psychology, and helps students develop skills in the therapeutic arts. Students also acquire knowledge of the social and behavioral sciences. Upon completion of their master’s degree, students will be prepared to practice in a variety of settings, including schools, mental health hospitals, and other settings. The program is also beneficial for those interested in working as an art therapist.
Clinical Experience
The Clinical Experience component of an art therapy course requires students to complete a hands-on internship, or Practicum. Students learn about art therapy from a clinical supervisor on-site. During this time, students gradually integrate their clinical skills into art group practice. Faculty members and the clinical coordinator provide support and guidance. Internships involve individual therapy, family-based art therapy, and a group setting. They are required to complete twenty-four hours of clinical experience each week, accumulating 720 total site hours.
The program teaches students how to integrate artistic and psychological theory into practice. Through the use of expressive art, students learn to identify the psychological and social factors underlying client problems and develop new ways of solving them. The curriculum at Lewis & Clark focuses on theory and clinical practice, as well as the healing power of art. Students also complete a practicum in a mental health setting. The clinical program is a vital component of the education process, supplementing classroom information.
After graduating from a bachelor’s degree program, students should consider pursuing a master’s degree program. Accreditation from an accredited institution is a necessary part of this process, as it enables students to pursue credentialing as an art therapist. Students must meet national requirements for certification. NDMU’s art therapy curriculum is fully aligned with the standards set forth by the American Art Therapy Association. There are several financial aid options available to art therapy majors. Many schools offer grants, scholarships, and veteran benefits. In addition, undergraduate loans and student debt forgiveness are available.
Graduate-level programs in art therapy require specific skills and clinical placements. A master’s degree in art therapy is required for licensure as an art therapist. Most art therapy programs are accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP). However, these programs are not directly aligned with the traditional licensing requirements. Dual-accredited programs offer different paths to practice art therapy.
