Program Overview

Master of Arts in the Field of Art Therapy

The Master of Arts in Art Therapy program at George Washington University prepares students for careers in schools, healthcare institutions, research centers, and more. Under the mentorship of faculty members who are credentialed art therapists, students explore their artistic identity as well as the varying aspects of art therapy, trauma training, diagnosis, and assessment. The curriculum also builds a theoretical foundation in individual, family, and group counseling, psychopathology, and human development.

Overview of the Program

• Students can deepen their focus in a specific area by choosing to write a thesis.
• By the end of the program, all students complete nearly 1,000 required hours of internship.
• Graduates leave prepared to earn professional licensure in art therapy and counseling.

Admissions

Admission Requirements

• Admission Deadline: Fall - February 1
• Standardized test scores:
  • GRE is not required.
  • The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), the academic International English Language Testing System (IELTS), or the PTE Academic is required of all applicants except those who hold a bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree from a college or university in the United States or from an institution located in a country in which English is the official language, provided English was the language of instruction.
  • Minimum scores for the M.A. program are:
    • Academic IELTS: an overall band score of 7.0 with no individual score below 6.0
    • TOEFL: 600 on paper-based or 100 on Internet-based
    • Duolingo: 130
    • PTE Academic: 68
• Recommendations required: Two (2) recommendations
• Prior academic records:
  • Transcripts are required from all colleges and universities attended, whether or not credit was earned, the program was completed, or the credit appears as transfer credit on another transcript.
  • Unofficial transcripts from all colleges and universities attended must be uploaded to your online application.
  • Official transcripts are required only of applicants who are offered admission.
  • If transcripts are in a language other than English, English language translations must be provided.
• Prerequisite Requirements:
  • A bachelor's degree, with 18 credits in art, including painting, drawing, and ceramics/sculpture/3D/figurative clay, and 12 credits in the behavioral and/or social sciences, including abnormal psychology and human development.
  • Coursework grades must be B or above to be accepted.
• Statement of Purpose:
  • In an essay of approximately 500 words, state your purpose in undertaking graduate study in Art Therapy and specifically why you are interested in the GW Program.
  • Include why you have chosen this field over any other you considered and what led you to this decision.
• Interview: An interview is required; options available for international applicants.
• Portfolio:
  • All applicants must submit a portfolio.
  • The portfolio should demonstrate personal expression as well as technical skills in a range of media and subject matter.
  • Requirements:
    • 15–20 pieces
    • Examples of drawing, painting, and figurative clay work
    • At least one example of figurative clay work (bust or full body) is required.
  • Format:
    • Your portfolio needs to be submitted as a PDF, showing high-quality digital photos.
    • It must be titled with your last name, first initial, and Portfolio.
• Course Summary Sheet: Applicants must submit an Art Therapy Course Summary Sheet with their applications.

Requirements

The following requirements must be fulfilled:

• The general requirements stated under Columbian College of Arts and Sciences, Graduate Programs.
• 61 credits in required coursework, including 900 internship hours.

Course List

• ARTH 6205: History and Theory of Art Therapy
• ARTH 6207: Human Development and Art Therapy I: Child and Adolescent
• ARTH 6208: Human Development and Art Therapy II: Adults and Senior Adults
• ARTH 6210: Counseling/Art Therapy Process
• ARTH 6211: Process of Counseling and Art Therapy: Theory
• ARTH 6212: Creativity, Symbolism, and Metaphor
• ARTH 6221: Studio/Technique of Art Therapy
• ARTH 6233: Marital and Family Art Therapy/Counseling
• ARTH 6234: Group Process
• ARTH 6235: Social and Cultural Diversity
• ARTH 6241: Assessment Procedures
• ARTH 6242: Psychopathology: Art and Diagnosis
• ARTH 6243: Substance Abuse and Addictions
• ARTH 6251: Research Methods
• ARTH 6262: Career Counseling and Art Therapy
• ARTH 6263: Ethics and Professionalism I: Principles
• ARTH 6264: Ethics and Professionalism II: Applications
• ARTH 6265: Advanced Issues in Psychotherapy and Art Therapy (taken four times for 1 credit for a total of 4 credits)
• ARTH 6271: Art Psychotherapy and Trauma I: Theory and Approaches to Treatment (taken for 3 credits)
• ARTH 6272: Art Psychotherapy and Trauma II: Loss, Countertransference, and Resiliency
• ARTH 6281: Practicum in Art Therapy (taken six times for 1 credit for a total of 6 credits)
• ARTH 6292: Special Projects in Art Therapy (taken for 1 credit)