Dec 03, 2024  
2004-2005 Springfield College Undergraduate Catalog 
    
2004-2005 Springfield College Undergraduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]


Art Therapy Home Page

Art Therapy



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(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.)


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


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

In addition, select one of the following courses:


In addition, select one of the following courses:

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.

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)

Additional Arts Requirements for Licensure Students (6 s.h.)


In addition, a total of 14 s.h. from the following practicum options:


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:

  1. A cumulative GPA of 2.500.
  2. A 2.500 GPA in all program requirements.
  3. 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.

A. Sample First Year


All art therapy majors:

  • General Education courses, to total at least 33 s.h. for the year.

In addition, for teacher licensure students:


B. Sample Second Year


All art therapy majors:

  • General Education courses, to total at least 33 s.h. for the year.
  • ARTS Art history selective Credits: 2-3 s.h.

C. Sample Third Year


All art therapy majors:

  • General Education courses and/or electives (for non-licensure students) to total at least 33 s.h. for the year.

D. Sample Fourth Year


  • Any uncompleted General Education courses, program requirements, and/or electives to complete a minimum of 130 s.h.

In addition, for teacher licensure students:


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