Prerequisites

1. A bachelor's degree in a related field (art, art education, psychology or related major).

2. Studio art/portfolio: At least 18 semester credits in studio art, in a variety of two-and three-dimensional media (which may include digital art) and processes. A portfolio of work representing your proficiency in these areas also required (minimum 10 prints or slides; upload into your application) demonstrating these media as well as your disciplined commitment to artmaking.

   1.  In your personal statement or elsewhere in application please list the 18 credits of studio art. If it is not clear what the class entails from the title, please include a course description or syllabus. 

   2. At least 12 credit hours must be completed prior to beginning the art therapy coursework. The remaining 6 hours may be completed after beginning the first art therapy course that will count toward this credential, but must be completed within a year of beginning graduate coursework in art therapy. 

   3. In lieu of academic based studio coursework, up to six credits from a portfolio demonstrating competency can be accepted upon review of art therapy faculty who have reviewed the portfolio and are willing to attest that the applicant has demonstrated such competency. Please state in your application whether you would like your portfolio to be reviewed for this purpose.  

   4. Applicants wishing to fulfill some or all of the studio art requirements through training received outside of traditional academic settings may document clock hours of studio instruction time using the ratio of 15 contact hours as equivalent to 1 semester credit. This documentation must be in the form of an original letter (on official letterhead) signed by the studio art instructor. 

3. At least 12 semester hours in psychology, including general psychology, abnormal psychology and developmental psychology.

   1. In your personal statement or elsewhere in application, list the 12 credits of psychology. If it is not clear what the class entails from the title, include a course description or syllabus. 

4. Two letters of recommendation affirming the student's academic ability, the student's ability to work with people and a character reference. 
5. Typed personal statement (approximately three pages) including reasons for wanting to pursue art therapy or art therapy and counseling.

Course requirements

In addition to the required courses listed below, art therapy students complete six to seven credits in education coursework: either EDP 5450 - Child Psychology, EDP 5480 - Adolescent Psychology or EDP 7350 - Learning Process; EER 7610 - Evaluation and Measurement or TED 7060 - Inclusive Education; courses offered most semesters, including spring/summer. The semesters below do not reflect the education courses. Students should add those as their schedules allow.

Note: The M.Ed. program was established as a concentration in Art Therapy in in Art Education, and, although can seem confusing, the curriculum consists of all the classes needed for art therapy preparation. The Master of Education in Art Education, concentration in Art Therapy, M.Ed. handbook provides the options for professional preparation in art therapy at Wayne State University.

To learn more about the Art Therapy program for admission information, differences in the program, tuition, portfolio, careers, licensure, certification information and program newsletters, visit our FAQ.

Curriculum

Permission is needed to enroll in both AT 7380 - Practicum and AT 7890 - Internship. Applications are available on the website, in Students' Handbooks and from the Art Therapy Program. Please note that AT 7890 usually is completed over two to three semesters, for a total of six credits.  AT 7890 is offered all three semesters.

Three credits in AT 6360 - Aspects of Art Therapy are required. Various "Aspects" (different topic courses) are offered all three semesters.

Plan of work

• Master of Education (M.Ed.) - Concentration: Art Therapy

Note: Upon completion of all credits on students' plans of work, students are eligible for graduation (degree awarded). Completion of credits means that all credits are completed, including internship (AT 7890/CED7020) and masters essay (AT 7999). For full instructions and guidelines, visit Graduation and Commencements.

Annual Report

Employment Outcomes of Master of Arts in Art Therapy and Counseling Graduates and Masters of Education in Art Therapy Graduates

 *Positive placement is 100% based on a knowledge rate (survey response rate) of 64%.

Note: Academic year of graduation was prior to our accreditation and prior to our use of a cohort model.

Accreditation

Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs

The Wayne State University Art Therapy Program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (www.caahep.org) upon the recommendation of  the  Accreditation Council for Art Therapy Education.