To earn an art therapy certificate in the US, one must have a bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience, complete a master’s program in art therapy, and meet requirements set by the Art Therapy Credentials Board. Candidates must also have completed prerequisite courses in studio art and psychology and have direct patient contact hours.
Earning an art therapy certificate requires a bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience that includes courses related to studio art and psychology. Acceptance into an art therapy master’s program and completion of related core curriculum requirements is another avenue for earning a certificate. In the US, conditions are set by the Art Therapy Credentials Board (ATCB). Applicants who have completed their undergraduate work at an American Art Therapy Association (AATA) approved institution have lower hourly requirements to qualify for a certificate than those who did not graduate from an organization-accredited school.
After the candidate receives his or her art therapy certificate from the ATCB, he or she will be formally recognized as a Registered Art Therapist. Prior to receiving this distinction, a candidate must meet prerequisites normally obtained during undergraduate education or comparable art therapy training for persons outside the United States. Candidate must have successfully completed 15 semester hours in studio art and spent 12 hours in psychology.
In addition to satisfying the studio’s art and psychology requirements, the candidate must enroll in a master’s program that offers classes in art therapy. Most master’s programs in the United States require a degree; some exceptions may apply to foreign applicants, however. The period of study is usually two years.
Successful completion of course and internship components does not fully meet the requirements for receiving an art therapy certificate. If a candidate has completed prerequisite art and studio psychology at an AATA-approved institution, he or she is responsible for an additional 1,000 hours of work directly with patients; 100 of the required 1,000 hours must be observed by a registered art therapist. Applicants who have not taken these prerequisites at an AATA-approved institution must have 1,500 hours of direct patient contact; 150 of the required 1,500 hours must be monitored by a registered art therapist.
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