Catalog

Art Therapy Psychology

Dr. Arnell Etherington, Chair, (650) 508-3556, aetherington@ndnu.edu

The Art Therapy Psychology Department at Notre Dame de Namur University is the only one of its kind in northern California. It is unique because it provides two courses of study leading to a master's degree, both of which emphasize theoretical and experiential learning.  Both courses of study are taught and supervised by Registered Art Therapists and licensed professionals and lead to registration as an ATR.  For students who hold a graduate degree in a related field (Art, Education, and Behavioral Science) from an accredited institution and who wish to meet the requirements for registration as an ATR, the Department expects to offer a 30-unit master’s degree with a planned starting date of 2009.  Please inquire with the Art Therapy Psychology Department for more information.

Course of Study I leads to a Master of Arts in Marital and Family Therapy. This course of study consists of 60 units (not including prerequisite courses) and is designed to prepare a Marriage and Family Art Therapist whose education is intended to fulfill the requirements for the Marriage and Family Therapist (MFT) in California. This can often satisfy certification or licensure in other states. This is in addition to meeting the requirements for Registration by the Art Therapy Credentials Board. Course of Study II leads to a Master of Arts in Art Therapy. This course of study consists of 51 units (not including prerequisite courses) and prepares students who wish to be eligible for the ATR, but who are not intending to pursue clinical licensing as an MFT in California or any other state.

Advancement to candidacy is not automatic. The Professional Evaluation Committee (PEC) provides ongoing professional and academic evaluation of students as they progress throughout the program. Both masters’ programs in the Art Therapy Psychology Department at Notre Dame de Namur University are approved by the American Art Therapy Association, Inc.

Program Requirements

Foundation Courses

A bachelor's degree in art, psychology, or behavioral science is preferred.A total of twelve semester units which includes three semester units (4.5 quarter units) in each of the following foundation areas are required:
 
  General Psychology    
  Personality Theory    
  Developmental Psychology    
  Abnormal Psychology    
Additionally, eighteen units, 27 quarter units, or equivalent are required in the foundation content areas of two and three dimensional studio art and design. All foundation areas must be completed within the first year.


Courses of Study I and II

  Units

Core Courses

Course I Course II

GPY4220

Psychological Assessment I

2

2

GPY4225

Psychological Assessment II

1

1

GPY4230

Psychopathology *

3

-

GPY4210

Methods of Group and Family Therapy

3

3

GPY4263

Child Abuse

1

1

GPY4235

Substance Abuse: Theory/Assessment/Intervention

2

-

GPY4250

Psychopharmacology *

2

-

GPY4240

Cross-cultural Issues

3

3

GPY4245

Human Sexuality *

2

2

GPY4200

Communication and Counseling Skills

3

3

GPY4205

Advanced Human Development

3

3

GPY4215

Principles of MFT

3

3

GPY4255

Professional Ethics and Law I *

2

-

GPY4260

Professional Ethics and Law II

1

1

GPY4350

Practicum I
(nine month, 750 hour practicum with an ATR supervisor; for Course I the supervisor must also be state licensed)

3

3

GPY4355

Practicum II

3

3

GPY4365

Seminar I

3

3

GPY4370

Seminar II

3

3

GPY4300

Art Therapy Techniques: Group Experience

1

1

GPY4305

Art Therapy Techniques: Special Populations

1

1

GPY4310

Art Therapy Techniques: Integrating Creative Arts

1

1

GPY4315

Metaphors in Psychopathology: Children

1

1

GPY4320

Metaphors in Psychopathology: Adolescents

1

1

GPY4325

Metaphors in Psychopathology: Adult

1

1

GPY4384

Research: Methodology

2

2

GPY4396

Research: Project

3

3

GPY4397

Research: Thesis Completion

3

   3

 

Elder Care

1

1

 

Domestic Violence

1

1

GPY4286

Special Topics

1

1

Total

 

60

51

*  All courses taught by Registered Art Therapists except those designated with an asterisk.

Orals: Thesis/Grant must be satisfactorily completed before graduation. Orals Guidelines are available in the Art Therapy Office.

Licensing Options after Graduation

Course of Study I
MA in Marital and Family Therapy

Course of Study II
MA in Art Therapy

(60 units) (51 units)

MFT/ATR Internship

Register for an MFT Intern Number
3000 hours supervised by licensed clinician
Includes up to 1300 pre-graduation hours

1000 art therapy direct contact hours
500 of these hours must be supervised by a Registered ATR

ATR Internship

1000 art therapy direct client contact hours supervised by a licensed clinician or ATR
500 of these hours must be supervised by an ATR

MFT Exams

Art Therapy Registration and Board Certification (BC) Exam
Art Therapy Registration and Board Certification (BC) Exam
Primary Family Therapist and Art Therapist Art Therapist

GPY Course Descriptions

Admission Requirements

  • Completed application materials are due by April 1, August 1, or December 1 for entrance in Summer, Fall, or Spring, respectively
  • A bachelor's degree from an accredited institution
  • Foundation Courses/Prerequisites
    • A minimum of eighteen (18) semester hour credits or twenty seven (27) quarter-hour credits, of study in studio art; and
    • A minimum of twelve (12) semester hour credits or eighteen (18) quarter-hour credits, of study in psychology: general psychology, developmental psychology, abnormal psychology, and personality theory
  • A cumulative grade-point average of 2.5 or better
  • Two recommendation forms
  • An autobiographical statement which discusses the applicant's interests in art therapy
  • A portfolio of 12 color images of personal art work representing a range of media.
For further information contact the Art Therapy Psychology Department at (650) 508-3556 or arttherapy@ndnu.edu or Graduate Admission at (800) 263-0545.