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.