Art Therapy

(130 semester hours; 138–139 with teacher licensure) Requirements are subject to change.

Graduates in this major have the professional preparation necessary to work with people of all ages with varying degrees of functional or organic impairment, as well as with traditional populations in schools. Through art therapy, the therapist provides an opportunity for nonverbal expression and communication, which can promote a reconciliation of emotional conflicts and foster self-awareness and personal growth.

Graduates are prepared for work in a variety of settings, including psychiatric hospitals and clinics, community mental health centers, geriatric centers, drug and alcohol clinics, nursing homes, halfway houses, prisons, and special needs schools. Some may choose to work in private or public schools and institutions for emotional problems, learning differences, developmental delays, brain damage, deafness, vision impairments, physically challenged, and disabled children.

The curriculum is designed to prepare students for a graduate program in the art therapy field, as students wishing to become registered art therapists by the American Art Therapy Association must obtain a graduate degree. Students majoring in art therapy may also seek licensure as a teacher of visual arts (PreK- 8, 5-12).

For more information about the art therapy major contact Dr. Simone Alter-Muri at (413) 748-3752 or the Admissions Office at (800) 343-1257.

Download an Art Therapy Program Checksheet

CURRICULAR REQUIREMENTS

I. General Education Program (41 - 44 s.h. in addition to courses taken for the major)

To integrate the humanics philosophy into their lives, Springfield College students engage in the search for knowledge, understanding, and appreciation of values through a variety of courses in the sciences and humanities. In addition to those General Education courses, students must complete 6 s.h. of Writing-Across-the-Curriculum (WAC) courses. For more information see the General Education Program and WAC courses. In the major requirements listed below, selected courses which fulfill General Education categories are marked with an asterisk; selected WAC courses are marked with a “W”.

II. Art Requirements (29-30 s.h.)

ARTS 105* - Studio in Printmaking Credits: 3 s.h
ARTS 108* - Studio in Drawing Credits: 3 s.h
ARTS 111* - Studio in Design Credits: 3 s.h
ARTS 116* - Studio in Painting Credits: 3 s.h
ARTS 211* - Studio in Sculpture Credits: 3 s.h
or
ARTS 228* - Three-Dimensional Design Credits: 3 s.h.
ARTS 223* - Studio in Ceramics Credits: 3 s.h
ARTS 225* - Studio in Photography Credits: 3 s.h

Plus

Select one of the following courses:

ARTS 260 - Advanced Studio in Computer Graphics Credits: 2-6 s.h
ARTS 261 - Advanced Studio in Drawing Credits: 2 s.h.
ARTS 262 - Advanced Studio in Painting Credits: 2 s.h.
ARTS 263 - Advanced Studio in Design-Portfolio Presentation Credits: 3
ARTS 264 - Advanced Studio in Photography Credits: 2 s.h.
ARTS 265 - Advanced Studio in Printmaking Credits: 2 s.h.
ARTS 266 - Advanced Studio in Sculpture Credits: 2 s.h.
ARTS 267 - Advanced Studio in Materials and Techniques Credits: 2 s.h.
ARTS 270 - Advanced Studio in Ceramics Credits: 3 s.h

In addition, select two of the following art history courses:

ARTS 102*W - Arts and Ideas Credits: 3 s.h.
ARTS 104* - Sensitivity and the Creative Process Credits: 2 s.h
ARTS 120*W - Contemporary Art Credits: 3 s.h
ARTS 217*W - Arts of the Prehistory to the Renaissance Credits: 3 s.h
ARTS 218*W - Renaissance to Modern Art Credits: 3 s.h
ARTS 219*W - American Art 1700-1900 Credits: 3 s.h
ARTS 221*W - Women Artists in History Credits: 3 s.h
ARTS 222 - Asian Arts and Culture Credits: 3 s.h
ARTS 245* - Contemporary Jewish Art Credits: 3 s.h
ATPY 407 - Psychology of Art and Artists Credits: 3 s.h.

III. Art Therapy (and/or Art Education) Requirements

(43-44 s.h. for general majors, 34 s.h. for teacher licensure students)

ARTS 190 - Community Service Experience Credits: 2 s.h.
(teacher licensure students fulfill this through EDUC 364, Prepracticum)
ARTS 255 - Introduction to Art Education Credits: 3 s.h
or
RSCH 141 - Guided Individual Study Credits: 2-6 s.h. (typically involving research in art therapy)
or
ATPY 308 - Art Therapy and the Elderly Client Credits: 2 s.h.
ARTS 382W - Seminar in Teaching Art Credits: 3 s.h
or
ATPY 482 - Art Therapy Seminar Credits 3 s.h.
ATPY 101 - Introduction to Art Therapy Credits: 3 s.h
ATPY 105 - Methods and Materials of Art Therapy and CMO Art Education for Adolescents and Adults Credits: 3 s.h
ATPY 203W - Art Therapy with Special Needs Populations Credits: 3 s.h
ATPY 309W - Pre-Practicum in Art Therapy and Art Education Credits: 1-3 s.h
ATPY 484 - Practicum in Art Therapy Credits: 1-8 s.h
PSYC 101 - Introduction to Psychology Credits: 3 s.h
PSYC 109 - Human Development Credits: 3 s.h
PSYC 221 - Abnormal Psychology Credits: 3 s.h
PSYC 422 - Interviewing and Counseling Credits: 3 s.h

In addition, select one of the following courses:

ARTS 280* - Integrating Arts in the Classroom Credits: 3 s.h
(Required choice for teacher licensure)
ATPY 308 - Art Therapy and the Elderly Client Credits: 2 s.h
ATPY 407 - Psychology of Art and Artists Credits: 3 s.h.
DANC 260 - Dance and Somatic Movement Therapy Credits: 3 s.h
DRAM 150* - Creative Dramatics and Improvisation Credits: 3 s.h

IV. Electives

Art therapy majors must complete 13–17 s.h. of electives to total 130 s.h. The art therapy/art education program requires 138–139 s.h. to complete, so no electives are necessary.

PSYC 135 - Personality and Personal Adjustment Credits: 3 s.h
RHDS 230* - Psychology of Disability Credits: 3 s.h
SMRT 272* - Introduction to Therapeutic Recreation Credits: 3 s.h

V. Optional Teacher of Visual Arts Licensure Program

Art therapy majors may elect to seek licensure as a teacher of visual arts (grades PreK–8 and/or 5–12). Advisement is provided by a member of the Visual and Performing Arts faculty and a member of the Education Department. Students seeking licensure should begin their program upon their admission to the College, but in order to be considered teacher candidates and to complete the professional preparation requirements, they must apply for official admission to the teacher preparation program and be accepted. Application to the teacher preparation program typically occurs prior to the junior year. More information about requirements for admittance to the teacher preparation program can be found in the secondary teacher licensure section. Students seeking licensure must complete the requirements for the major and the additional requirements listed below.

Special Requirements for Licensure Students

(these courses can also fulfill requirements for the art therapy major)

VI. Program Standards

In order to achieve advanced standing and be eligible for advanced courses and fieldwork experience, all art therapy majors must have a record of demonstrating standards of professional competency related to attendance, preparation, academic honesty, creativity, maturity, professional behavior, empathy toward others, aptitude, and aesthetic awareness. Students must also meet the following academic standards:

A cumulative GPA of 2.500.
A 2.500 GPA in all program requirements.
A grade of C or better in all ARTS or ATPY courses.

Once met, standards for advanced standing must be maintained to continue in the major. Students who do not achieve advanced standing by their 90th semester hour must change to another major. If the standards are eventually met, the student may petition the department’s Appraisal and Retention Committee to be readmitted.More information about advanced standing standards and the process to apply is available from the Visual and Performing Arts Department.

VII. Sample Program By Year

The program listed below is a sample—courses are not guaranteed to be offered during the semester or year listed. It is the student’s responsibility to insure that all requirements are met on a timely basis and that needed prerequisite courses are completed before taking upper-level requirements; therefore, they should consult carefully with an advisor when planning their program. Students must average a minimum of 16.25 s.h. a semester to complete this program in four years (16.75 for licensure students).

In addition to the courses identified below, the following General Education categories need to be fulfilled for this major: Natural Science, Mathematics, Computer Science, Health, Physical Education, Literature, Second Language/Culture, History, Social Science, Philosophy, and Religion. Non-licensure students will also need to fulfill the Social Justice category.

Courses marked with an * fulfill or partially fulfill an General Education category. Courses marked with a W may fulfill a WAC requirement, depending on the year taken.