Art Therapy (MA)

Course details

An Honours degree, or equivalent. Minimum of one year or equivalent, full-time clinical/care work in an area relevant to art therapy, paid or voluntary. This work may be, for example, in Health or Social Services, Special Education, Community Care or Day Centres, with clients who have a mental illness, learning or physical disability.

Applicants normally require:

• A basic understanding of Art Therapy
•  An Honours degree, or equivalent, in Visual Art. Where graduate qualifications are not in the visual arts, for example Psychiatric Nursing, Social Work or Teaching, evidence of a substantial and developing body of current and recent art work is essential
• Two satisfactory references from clinical and professional persons who have knowledge of the candidate’s education, training and experience
• Pre-course experience in personal therapy or counseling is preferred  
• Minimum of one year, or equivalent, full-time clinical/care work in an area relevant to art therapy, paid or voluntary. This work may be, for example, in Health or Social Services, Special Education, Community Care or Day Centres, with clients who have a mental illness, learning or physical disability
• Strong portfolio of personal artwork showing an understanding of an appropriate art form, the art-making process showing the applicants relationship and connection to their creative process

EARLY ASSESSMENT

• Because of the clinical placement component of this course, it is a condition of entry that all successful applicants who gain a place on the course will be subject to a Garda Clearance procedure carried out by the Garda Clearance facilitator at CIT.

Course summary

• The CIT Crawford College of Art & Design offers an exciting post-graduate course in Art Therapy. The College is the first in Ireland to provide professional training in Art Therapy. Successful graduates receive the Master of Arts in Art Therapy, which is a recognised qualification for Art Therapy practice.
• The course is available on a full time basis over two years (2 college days & 2 clinical placements days) or part time or ACCS mode over 3 years (1 college day & 1 clinical placement day).
• In either case, students must complete all the mandatory modules.
• In addition, eligible students may pursue an MA by research in the fields of Art Therapy or Community Arts.

ACCREDITATION

• This is a 90 credit modular course which on completion of the training allows inpiduals to then register with the professional body for the Creative Arts Therapies in Ireland, IACAT (Irish Association of Creative Arts Therapists).

AIMS

• The programme aims to equip Art Therapy practitioners with a range of therapeutic skills and interventions to work with both inpidual and group clients in a range of health and community settings and follows three strands of learning:

Theoretical Studies - 25 Credits

The theoretical foundation of art therapy is drawn from the history of art making, creativity and the psychotherapies. Models and approaches within the field of art therapy are discussed and debated within the framework of lecture and seminar series throughout the training. There is also an introduction to developmental psychology and psychiatry.

Experiential Art Therapy Training - 20 Credits

Students will be able to integrate theory and practice through participation in Experiential Workshops, a Training Group and Studio Practice. This gives a forum for engagement in the art therapy process, self-exploration and continuing personal development and creativity.

Clinical Placement and Professional Studies - 45 Credits

Students are allocated clinical placements where they are encouraged to conceptualize their personal experiences and theoretical understanding in relationship to a variety of client groups. Supervision of the clinical experience is central to the art therapy training and is provided in small groups at Crawford College and inpidually on placement.

Supervision of the clinical experience is central to the art therapy training and is provided in small groups at Crawford College and inpidually on placement. Students are encouraged to experience a number of differing placement situations over the course of their training. Please note that students must have their placements in a new setting and not at their workplace.

Because of the clinical placement component of this course it is a condition of entry that all successful applicants who gain a place on the course will be subject to a Garda Clearance procedure.

Assessment Continuous assessment