Master of Arts in Art Therapy Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy Advanced Standing Master of Arts in Art Therapy

APPLY ONLINE NOW REQUEST INFORMATION ART THERAPY Ph.D.

The Art Therapy Psychology Department at Notre Dame de Namur University is the only one of its kind in Northern California that is approved by the American Art therapy Association as meeting the requirements of training individual to become art therapists while also offers licensing as a Marriage and Family Therapist (MFT) or a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC). The focus in the department is on the family as a framework for human experience, emphasizing art and image as the canvas for its expression. The department is unique because it provides a Master of Arts in Art Therapy which meets the academic requirements for becoming a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor as well as a clinical licensure track leading to a Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy. Both the MA in Art Therapy and the MA in Marriage and Family Therapy degrees lead to registration as an art therapist (ATR).

The MA in Art Therapy has two tracks of study. For those with a Bachelor’s degree who are interested in clinical licensure as an LPCC, the program of study consists of 63 units. For those with a Master’s degree in a related field (e.g. behavioral sciences, education, art), the department offers a Post Master’s Advanced Standing program of study that consists of 30 units within the MA Art Therapy program (see below for details).

The MA in Art Therapy and MA in Marriage and Family Therapy in NDNU’s Art Therapy Program are approved by the American Art Therapy Association (AATA).

The MA in Marriage and Family Therapy is a 63 unit program of study that leads to licensure as a Marriage and Family Therapist (MFT) in the state of California. The MA in Marriage and Family Therapy prepares students for state licensure as an MFT in California and allows recipients to sit for state boards in numerous other states. This degree program meets the guidelines established by the California Board of Behavioral Sciences.

The MA in Art Therapy and MA in Marriage and Family Therapy in NDNU’s Art Therapy Program are approved by the American Art Therapy Association (AATA). For those pursuing the Post Master's option, please consult with AATA and the Art Therapy Credentials Board as they are in the process of determining their requirements.

See the NDNU General Catalog for program requirements and course descriptions.

Learn about the Mills-Peninsula Scholarship.

Distinctions of NDNU's Art Therapy Programs

• Advisory Council of Graduate Alumni
• University supervision and seminars for Art Therapy and MFT students; one faculty member per eight students
• Community Service Awards to over 30 agencies over 25 year period
• Practicum faire for 35 agencies
• Advisory Council of Agency Supervisors
• Close relationship with professional organizations such as the American Art Therapy Association, California Association
• Summer Art Show in Wiegand Gallery American Art Therapy Association, California Association of Marriage and Family Therapy, and the Art Therapy Credentials Board
• Training for clinicians, researchers, and leaders in the field
• Graduate Art Therapy Student Association
• Continuing Education Unit (CEU) Training
• 90% of the Art Therapy Psychology faculty hold both State Licensure and Board Certification as Art Therapists
• Facutly are published authors on art therapy

Admission Process

NDNU admits students throughout the year for fall, spring, and summer semesters.  Please review the NDNU General Catalog for admission requirements.

Faculty

Doris Arrington (program founder), Ed.D., ATR-BC, Licensed Psychologist, Lecturer in Art Therapy Psychology, at NDNU since 1979
Professor Emeritus 2006,  BS University of Houston; MAT, College of Notre Dame; Ed.D., University of San Francisco

Amy Backos, PhD, ATR-BC, Assistant Professor of Art Therapy Psychology, at NDNU since 2011
BA in Psychology and Studio Art from Kent State University; MA in Art Therapy from Ursuline College; PhD in Clinical Psychology from Alliant University

Richard Carolan, Ed.D., ATR-BC, Licensed Psychologist, Professor of Art Therapy Psychology and Chair, Department of Art Therapy Psychology, at NDNU since 1993
BA, Western Connecticut State University; MA, Sonoma State University; Ed.D., University of San Francisco

Linda Chapman, Lecturer in Art Therapy Psychology, at NDNU since 1992
BA, MA, Antioch University

Arnell Etherington, Ph.D., MFT, ATR-BC, Licensed Psychologist, Professor of Art Therapy, at NDNU since 1990
BA, Rutgers University; MA, Lone Mountain College; Ph.D., Professional School of Psychology, San Francisco

Ellen McCabe-Wackwitz, Lecturer in Art Therapy Psychology, at NDNU since 2003
MFT, Notre Dame de Namur University

Gwen Sanders, ATR-BC, MFT, Adjunct Assistant Professor of Art Therapy Psychology ,at NDNU since 2000
BFA, California Senior College of Arts and Crafts; MA, Notre Dame de Namur University

David Sitzer, Lecturer in Art Therapy Psychology ,at NDNU since 1998
BA, University of California, Los Angeles; MA, Ph.D., California School of Professional Psychology

Carolee Stabno, Psy.D., MFT, Senior Lecturer in Art Therapy Psychology, at NDNU since 1991
BS, University of San Francisco; MA, College of Notre Dame; Psy.D., Western Graduate School of Psychology

Jo Wallace, MA,LMFT, ATR-BC, Notre Dame de Namur University; Doctoral Candidate at
Pacific Graduate School of Psychology; Adjunct Professor; LMFT, ATR-BC

Join our faculty - opening for an Associate Professor in Art Therapy Psychology Contact Richard Carolan at rcarolan@ndnu.edu

Contact

Michelle Jones, Art Therapy Department Administrative Coordinator
(650) 508-3556 or arttherapy@ndnu.edu

Graduate Admissions
Tel: (800) 263-0545 or (650) 508-3600      
Fax: (650) 508-3426
E-mail: grad.admit@ndnu.edu
M-Th 9:00 a.m. - 6:30 p.m.
F 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.