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To earn a doctorate in art therapy, one must complete prerequisite courses and an application process. A bachelor’s degree is required before pursuing a master’s program, which can take up to four years. The American Art Therapy Association and the Art Therapy Credentials Board approve master’s and doctoral programs and administer certification exams. It can take one to four years to complete a PhD in Art Therapy, and a thesis or portfolio is required. Continuing with a doctoral program is an option, and the amount of credits required varies.
A doctorate in art therapy can usually be earned by completing all required courses outlined by the university offering the art therapy program. To be accepted into a doctoral program, there are usually prerequisite courses and an application process that every candidate must complete before being admitted to pursue a degree. Each institution has its own set of guidelines for people who want to earn a degree, but there are also standards set by national organizations that must be met in order to be certified as an art therapist.
Before any doctorate can be attempted, there is usually a standard path to follow that starts with a bachelor’s degree, which is usually completed in four years. Institutions in 15 states, including Arkansas, Pennsylvania and New York, offer degree programs in art therapy. It is not always necessary, however, to receive a bachelor’s degree in art therapy to be admitted to a doctoral art therapy program; some schools admit students as long as a certain amount of art and psychology classes have been taken. Like other baccalaureate programs, general education requirements such as English and math are included in the general coursework. It can also be helpful for students to participate in internships to gain experience in the field and ensure it is a profession that appeals to them.
After a bachelor’s degree is earned, the next step is usually to complete a master’s program. The American Art Therapy Association (AATA) and the Art Therapy Credentials Board (ATCB) are authorities in approving master’s and doctoral programs in Art Therapy and administering certification examinations. Before selecting an institution, you may want to ensure that it is approved for certification to be earned upon graduation.
There are approximately 30 colleges in the United States and Canada that are AATA accredited, and each has its own set of guidelines for admission and completion. Some require applicants to submit Miller Analogies Test (MAT) results. The Miller Analogies Test focuses on problem solving using analogies, which is typically important for anyone interested in psychology-related areas.
Depending on whether or not you complete the entire prerequisite coursework before joining the master’s program, and how much time you can dedicate to school, it can take anywhere from one to four years to complete a PhD in Art Therapy. Students enrolled in graduate art therapy classes can generally expect to spend a great deal of time observing patient interaction and interacting with patients themselves. Ethics, counseling and differences in treatment between children and adults are also emphasized. Most master’s curricula require a thesis or portfolio to graduate, of which art therapy is no exception.
While a career as an art therapist is only possible with a master’s degree, continuing with a doctoral or doctoral program in art therapy is also an option. Graduate Record Examination (GRE) or MAT scores are usually required, along with a master’s degree, related field experience, and certification to be considered as a doctoral candidate. The amount of credits required to become a physician varies with the amount of courses previously completed and how many credits the institution requires, which is typically between 40 and 50 credit hours.
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