Master of Arts in Mental Health Counseling: Art Therapy Track
Empower healing through creativity.Our mission is to prepare future clinicians to address the needs of individuals, groups, and communities through culturally-informed, social justice-oriented, ethical, reflective, and effective practice of mental health counseling and art therapy.
The art therapy track trains students to use the creative process of art-making to improve and enhance the physical, mental and emotional well-being of individuals of all ages (www.arttherapy.org). Furthermore, the program aims to prepare competent entry-level Art Therapists in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavior) learning domains as indicated by the Accreditation Council for Art Therapy Education (ACATE) Standards.
Advantages
Graduating students of this major will be able to:
- Develop professional identities as art therapists that incorporate historical perspectives, the practice of art making, the application of research, and the integration of art therapy theory.
-
Exhibit awareness of how social and cultural diversity impact therapeutic relationships and incorporate methods for working as art therapists with diverse client populations.
- Recognize ethical dilemmas and apply ethical decision making models that are pertinent to the field of art therapy.
- Develop their own model of art therapy practice that incorporates use of materials and techniques with an understanding of psychological theory, creativity, symbolism, and metaphor.
- Integrate contemporary information from lifespan development, neuropsychology, psychopathology, and career counseling with the practice of art therapy.
- Demonstrate skills related to art therapy assessment, case conceptualization, treatment planning and diagnosis.
About the Master of Arts in Mental Health Counseling (MHC): Art Therapy Track
The MA in Mental Health Counseling: Art Therapy Track is designed to allow students to pursue licensure as a mental health counselor and registration as an art therapist. For this reason, incoming students must have both 18 credit hours in studio art and 12 credit hours in psychology, including abnormal psychology and developmental psychology.
Program Length & Format
The program is 63 credit hours in length and can be completed in two years (5 or 6 semesters), including summers. Classes run on a regular semester schedule, meeting face-to-face both days and evenings. Students will also complete practicum and an internship during the academic year. Students have the opportunity to meet with a faculty advisor each semester and they have a program advisor as well. Since our cohorts are small, students have the opportunity to connect with faculty on a regular basis.
Curriculum
The curriculum focuses on providing students with the knowledge and clinical practice necessary to assist in improving and restoring client functionality and personal sense of well-being. Art therapy requires knowledge of visual art (drawing, painting, ceramics, etc.) and the creative process, as well as human development and counseling theories and techniques. The curriculum is designed to align with art therapy accreditation standards and Indiana licensure standards for mental health counseling.
Completion of clinical work will also be required through a 100-hour practicum field placement and 600-hour internship. In addition, students have the option of gaining experience during an elective 300-hour advanced internship course. Electives are available including Medical Art Therapy, Contemporary Issues in Art Therapy, and Aging Art Therapy. These are past examples, new courses may be developed and student input is encouraged in the proposal of new electives.
When Can I Start?
New students begin in the fall semester each year.
Student Learning Outcomes
| 2023 | 2024 | 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| 100% | 75% | 91.7% |
| Description | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Employment Rate (Positive Placement) |
100% | 100% | 100% |
| Employment Knowledge Rate* | 75% | 100% | 100% |
*Employment Knowledge Rate is the percentage of graduates whose employment status is known to the program.
Accreditation
The Master of Arts in Mental Health Counseling: Art Therapy Track is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs upon the recommendation of The Accreditation Council for Art Therapy Education.
Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs
25400 US Hwy 19N, Suite 158, Clearwater, FL 33763
727-210-2350
www.caahep.org
MHC: Art Therapy Track Admission Requirements
- Complete the online application
- Nonrefundable $55 application fee, paid during the application submission process.
- Transcripts from all colleges/universities attended
- Bachelor's degree with a minimum GPA of 3.0/4.0 preferred
- 3 recommendation letters
- Three references who you will identify as part of the online application process must complete the online "Recommendation Request".
- Each reference will receive an email from the online application system with a link to the form. They will be asked a few brief questions and ratings. They will then upload their letter of recommendation at the bottom of the page.
- Preferably, your letters should be from faculty members who know you from multiple classes, your experience as a research assistant and/or your volunteer or work activities. Other letters may be from professionals who can write knowledgeably about your potential within the graduate program.
- Personal statement
- Submit a brief essay that explains your interest in art therapy. Explain why you want to pursue the Art Therapy Track of the MA in Mental Health Counseling degree, including how completion of our program would help you to achieve your specific academic and professional goals. What would make you a good fit for this program and the profession of art therapy?
- There is not a minimum or maximum length required, but we recommend two pages double spaced.
- The GRE is NOT required but may be submitted at the applicant’s discretion.
- A minimum of 12 credit hours in undergraduate or graduate psychology courses (statistics can be "counted" as a psychology course, even if it is taken in a department other than psychology)
- A minimum of 18 credit hours of studio art courses
- CV or resume
- Art portfolio that demonstrates experience with a wide range of media
All undergraduate students who are enrolled in UIndy's Pre-Art Therapy major are eligible for the MA in MHC Art Therapy Early Assurance Program.
The program provides the following benefits exclusively for current UIndy Students:
- Early communication from the Graduate Admissions Counselor and Program Director for the MA in MHC Art Therapy Track
- An application fee waiver for the MA in MHC Art Therapy application
- Priority consideration for the MA in MHC Art Therapy Track at UIndy
To enroll in this program, students must complete the following:
- Submit an Early Assurance Form no later than December 1 of your senior year
- Submit an MA in MHC Art Therapy Track application no later than January 15 of your senior year
The Early Assurance Program does not require any commitment from the undergraduate pre-art therapy student and does not guarantee admission to the graduate program. For more information, please contact cebsadmissions@uindy.edu.
Tuition & Aid
Stay Informed About This Program
Share your information and we'll be in touch soon with more details about how UIndy can help you meet your goals.