Art Therapy / Education / Secondary Teacher Licensure Program

Degree: Bachelor of Science (B.S.) with a major in Art Therapy

(a minimum of 120 credit hours) Requirements are subject to change.

Students selecting this major also major in Education and seek licensure as a teacher of visual arts (PreK–8, 5–12). The art major offers students an opportunity for the unique development of their talents in a wide range of visual arts courses and concentrations. A full spectrum of studio courses affords students the development of their personal talents in the visual arts. An assortment of methods, techniques, materials, and philosophies challenge art majors to express themselves to their fullest potential. It is the underlying philosophy of this major that students maturing as artists have a responsibility to share and lead in developing a better and more meaningful society. This commitment to artistic and social responsibility by the Visual and Performing Arts Department, its faculty, and its students is the essence of the Springfield College humanics philosophy.

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 public schools, hospitals and clinics, community mental health centers, geriatric centers, drug and alcohol clinics, nursing homes, halfway houses and prisons. 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 prepares students for a career as a teacher of visual arts. Additionally, the curriculum is designed to prepare students for graduate study in the art therapy field. Students wishing to become registered art therapists by the American Art Therapy Association must obtain a graduate degree.

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 /Education / Secondary Teacher Licensure Program Checksheet

CURRICULAR REQUIREMENTS

I. General Education Program (40 - 46 credits)

The General Education program at Springfield College is informed by its century-old Humanics tradition of educating the whole person in spirit, mind, and body, for leadership in service to humanity. These requirements have the goal of developing literate, thoughtful, socially responsible students, and instilling in them a spirit of inquiry into the nature of humankind and the universe. Towards those ends, the requirements emphasize and encourage: the acquisition of knowledge, understanding, and competency essential for the improvement of the human condition in a diverse society; a search for personal and spiritual values; and the development of an understanding and appreciation of physical well-being. For specific requirements, see the General Education Program section or the Sequencing Guide for this major.

II. Major Requirements (Art Therapy)

A. Core Requirements

ARTS 105 - Studio in Printmaking Credits: 3
or
ATPY 504 - Printmaking for the Art Therapist Credits: 3
ARTS 108 - Studio in Drawing Credits: 3
ARTS 111 - Studio in Design Credits: 3
ARTS 116 - Studio in Painting Credits: 3
ARTS 211 - Studio in Sculpture Credits: 3
or
ARTS 228 - Three-Dimensional Design Credits: 3
ARTS 217 - Arts of the Prehistory to the Renaissance Credits: 3
ARTS 219 - American Art 1700-1900 Credits: 3
ARTS 223 - Studio in Ceramics Credits: 3

And one of the following:

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

B. Related Requirements

Art Therapy & Art Education Professional Requirements

ATPY 101 - Introduction to Art Therapy Credits: 3
ATPY 203 - Art Therapy with Special Needs Populations Credits: 3
ATPY 484 - Practicum in Art Therapy Credits: 1-6
(minimum of 3 credits required for Art Therapy/Education program)
PSYC 101 - Introduction to Psychology Credits: 3
PSYC 109 - Human Development Credits: 3

III. Elective Courses (to complete a minimum of 120 credits)

Completion of the following courses ensures successful completion of the Education major with a specialization in Secondary Teacher Licensure.

Required courses:

ENGL 113 - College Writing I Credits: 3
ENGL 114 - College Writing II Credits: 3
ARTS 103 - Studio in Computer Graphics Credits: 3
ARTS 210 - Figure Drawing Credits: 3
ARTS 225 - Studio in Photography Credits: 3
ARTS 255 - Introduction to Art Education Credits: 3
ARTS 280 - Integrating Arts in the Classroom Credits: 3
ARTS 382 - Seminar in Teaching Art Credits: 3
ATPY 105 - Methods and Materials of Art Therapy / CMO Art Education for Adolescents and Adults Credits: 3
ATPY 309 - Pre-Practicum in Art Therapy and Art Education Credits: 3
EDUC 162 - Exceptional Children Credits: 3
EDUC 234 - Curriculum, Methods, and Organization for Secondary Teachers Credits: 3
EDUC 237 - Foundations of Multicultural Education Credits: 3
EDUC 238 - Pre-Practicum in Elementary/Special Education/Early Childhood Education Fieldwork and Seminar Credits: 1
EDUC 364 - Pre-Practicum-Teaching and Special Issues in Secondary Education Credits: 3
EDUC 528 - Sheltered English Immersion Credits: 3

IV. Practicum requirement

Select a total of 10 credits from the following practicum options:

EDUC 464 - Middle School Practicum Credits: 5-10
EDUC 465 - High School Practicum Credits: 5-10
EDUC 468 - Elementary Practicum Credits: 5-10

Admission to Undergraduate Teacher Preparation Programs

Once admitted to Springfield College, the student must meet the following requirements in order to become an official candidate for licensure and get admitted to a specific teacher preparation program. This typically occurs prior to the student’s junior year or the equivalent for transfer students.

Follow the appropriate course of study based on the field the student is interested in teaching. This includes majoring in an acceptable major for that licensure area and taking the required teacher preparation courses. This enables the student to fulfill the prerequisites needed to gain admission to a teacher preparation program. Examples of acceptable majors and licensure areas are psychology for early childhood; American studies, English, or mathematics and computer technology for elementary and/or special education; biology, English, history or mathematics for secondary; movement and sports studies for physical education; art/studio art concentration or art therapy for art education; and health studies for health education.
Complete, or be in the process of completing, all prerequisites identified for the specific program.
Earn a minimum 2.750 cumulative grade point average for all designated licensure courses. This includes all subject matter knowledge coursework as well as teacher preparation professional coursework. See educator preparation homepage on our website for specific lists of ‘Prerequisites and Program Requirements’ for each licensure program.
Earn a minimum 2.500 cumulative grade point average.
Earn minimum grades specified for designated courses.
Demonstrate the personal characteristics/professional behaviors needed to become a quality teacher (i.e., responsible, dependable, hard working, professional, committed to the teaching profession, etc.).
Be recommended for admission into a teacher licensure program by the appropriate major department and the Education Department. (For students in health and physical education, the only recommendation required is from the Physical Education and Health Education Department.)
Receive a passing score on the Communication and Literacy Skills Tests (reading and writing) of the Massachusetts Tests for Educator Licensure (MTEL).

Note: Students who have been admitted to a teacher preparation program must maintain all the admissions requirements listed above through the semester preceding the practicum (student teaching) in order to be eligible to begin the practicum experience.

Once all admissions requirements have been met, the student must fill out the application for admission. Applications are available from advisors, departments, or the Educator Preparation Office.

The Director of Educator Preparation & Licensure will review the completed application and notify the candidate of the admission decision. If a student wishes to appeal this decision, a written appeal must be submitted to the Educator Preparation Council.

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