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MS Degree, Art Therapy Counseling
Core Courses
AT 800 ART THERAPY FOUNDATIONS: 3 HRS.
The class includes lecture material, class discussion, dyad experimental art process, and small group work. Lecture material is derived from Rubin's text and supplemented by additional sources. Students are responsible for learning all materials presented in class and covered by the text.
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AT 801 ART THERAPY GROUP DYNAMICS AND SPECIAL POPULATIONS: 2 HRS.
Students will gain an understanding of therapy group dynamics; acquire sufficient knowledge of theory and practical applications to plan and facilitate groups incorporating art therapy; and learn about needs and approaches for various special populations and settings.
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AT 802 DEVELOPMENTAL TREATMENT MODELS IN ART THERAPY: 3 HRS.
Students will explore models of developmental psychology to address the entire lifespan, along with art therapy methods pertinent to the various life stages. Students will learn about the universal developmental path of art making through childhood and adolescence and about variations that may occur.
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AT 803 MULTICULTURAL ISSUES IN ART THERAPY: 3 HRS.
This course is designed to introduce and aid students in gaining a heightened awareness of a variety of cultures in art therapy treatment and research. Given the language barriers which may inhibit conventional verbal psychotherapy, the non-verbal aspect of art therapy can prove to be extremely effective with numerous cultures. The text provides an interpretation, examination, and information on a broad range of cultures and potential views of therapy and treatment. Students are expected to comprehensively evaluate their own ethnic upbringing and belief systems, as well as a broad range of other cultures to enhance their level of understanding.
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AT 804 ART THERAPY WITH FAMILIES AND ADVANCED ASSESSMENT: 3 HRS.
This course provides an overview of art therapy and other pertinent assessment tools in the art therapy field. The class will study existing tools and be expected to utilize either a pre-existing assessment tool or develop their own.
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AT 805 ART THERAPY ETHICS AND PROFESSIONAL ISSUES: 2 HRS.*
This course presents ethical issues associated with the practice of art therapy. Through lecture, discussion, role-playing, and presentations, central ethical and legal issues will be addressed. Particular emphasis will be placed on confidentiality, child abuse, elder abuse, and ethical dilemmas associated with dual-role relationships. Other topics will include issues associated with psychotherapy, research, advertising, and the problems of specific work settings.
*PY 703 is optional; taken as part of AT 805, this course counts as a 3 hour course.
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AT 810 INTRODUCTION TO ART THERAPY RESEARCH: 1 HR.
This course introduces students to art therapy research. Existing literature in the art therapy field will be explored and discussed. The class will be introduced to basic research terminology and concepts, formats in proposals in research, problems in art therapy and research design. Students are expected to gain an understanding of current research, pitfalls in research, ethics, and multicultural considerations. The student will formulate and complete two research proposals. The instructor will aid in research ideas, as needed. Additionally, students will complete pertinent literature reviews and participate regularly in class discussions.
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AT 812 APPLIED ART THERAPY RESEARCH: 2 HRS.
This course reviews advanced research design and implementation in the art therapy field. The class will review research terminology and concepts, formats in conducting research, research problems in art therapy, and research design. Students are expected to research, design, and complete a research project in conjunction with the SPSS class. The instructor will aid in research ideas, as needed. Additionally, students are expected to complete critical reviews of research and participate regularly in class discussion.
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AT 835 ART THERAPY INTERNSHIP: 9 HRS.
Art Therapy Internship requires supervised but independent art therapy applications. Work is most likely to be done away from the university at program-approved sites. Therefore, schedules will vary widely. Group supervision and case presentations will be provided to supplement individual supervision in order to enhance student learning and profiting from each others’ experiences.
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AT 849 ART THERAPY MASTER'S PROJECT: 3 HRS.
This course allows students to create an original independent project for the professional advancement of the art therapy field within a structured format supervised by the art therapy faculty. The scope of the work could include the creation of instructional manuals, videotapes, or CD-ROM's; categorization of patient art; collaborative community art projects; or other similar projects.
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AT 850 ART THERAPY THESIS: 1-3 HRS.
The student completes important research appropriate to the field of Art Therapy.
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PY 520 STATISTICS I: 3 HRS.
This course introduces students to both descriptive and inferential statistics including mean, standard deviation, variance, sum of squares, correlation, linear regression, sampling distributions, hypothesis testing, t test, and analysis of variance.
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PY 806 PERSONALITY ASSESSMENTS: 2 HRS.
This course serves as the background for specific assessment courses. Types of assessment techniques, selection of appropriate techniques, and the diagnostic process are discussed. Professional ethics and legal implications are discussed.
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PY 810 CLINICAL REPORT WRITING: 2 HRS.
This course deals with the written presentation of psychological information. The construction of an effective report, and the problems commonly encountered in report writing are discussed.
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PY 815 PROJECTIVE ASSESSMENTS: 3 HRS.
This course presents the history and use of projective assessment devices such as the Thematic Apperception Test, Children's Apperception Test, Bender Gestalt, House-Tree-Person, and Draw-A-Person. The emphasis is upon administration and interpretation of these specific projective techniques.
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PY 827 SEMINAR IN PSYCHOPATHOLOGY: 3 HRS.
Characteristics of the various forms of mental disorders are studied. Etiological factors, theoretical positions, and current forms of treatment are covered.
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ER 851 RESEARCH DESIGN AND WRITING: 3 HRS.
Develop competencies in designing research proposal and writing of research work. Introduction to theoretical concepts and research. Investigate, evaluate and discuss various types of research studies and designs. A study of variables related to research problems and hypotheses. Development of first three chapters of thesis or research problem.
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AR 708 PROBLEMS IN ART FOR RELATED PROFESSIONS: 1-3 HRS.
(Prerequisites, AR 101 and AR 102; permission of instructor.) Course utilizes individual studio experiences as research for a term paper applicable to the academic program of the student. Work in a studio area of art may be selected from the following: ceramics, metalry, painting, printmaking, sculpture, and fibers. Course is designed to strengthen the art background of people in the professions related to art such as various therapist, counselors, and activity directors. May be repeated.
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