Art Therapy Course Descriptions

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.

AT801 Art Therapy Group Dynamics in Special Populations, 2 hrs.

This course will meet weekly for three hrs to include theoreticallectures, readings, and papers, as well as experimental roleplay.

AT802 Developmental and Treatment Models in Art Therapy, 3 hrs.

Format includes didactic and experimental components as well as at east two field trips.

AT803 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 barriars 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.

AT804 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 preexisting assessment tool or develop their own.

AT805 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.

AT810 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.

AT812 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.

AT820 Art Therapy Fieldwork, 3 hrs.

Art Therapy Fieldwork 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.

AT835 Art Therapy Practicum, 1-6 hrs.

Art Therapy Practicum 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.

AT849 Art Therapy Master’s Project, 3 hrs. (Prerequisite, consent of advisor)

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.

AT850 Art Therapy Thesis, 1-6 hrs.

The student completes important research appropriate to the field of Art Therapy.

Last Updated April 30, 2007