Graduate Studies in Art Therapy at School of Visual Arts

The Master of Professional Studies in Art Therapy program is Approved by the American Art Therapy Association, Inc., and as such meets the Education Standards of the art therapy profession.

The mission of the Art Therapy graduate program at SVA is to offer artists other venues of creative expression in addition to making their own art. Students in art therapy graduate school work closely with clients as part of their training, as well as receive individualized and personal guidance from instructors. Request a catalog to learn more about art therapy graduate school at SVA.

Art therapy is a specialized way of using the power of the creative process as a vehicle for healing, communication, self-expression and personal development. It is a method of treatment in which art and psychology are uniquely combined to explore the problems and potentials of individuals. Art is a powerful form of communication and a special language for expressing emotions. Through the use of therapeutic art experiences, physical, emotional and/or learning skills can be developed. This innovative profession provides valuable contributions to the care of people living with psychological and physical challenges.

The School of Visual Arts' artistic and academic traditions offer an outstanding forum for students interested in pursuing a comprehensive education in art therapy. Our Master of Professional Studies program encourages the development of student art therapists through a strong clinical foundation, combined with intensive training in studio art, art therapy principles and practices, contemporary theories of psychological development and the nature of creativity. Fundamental to our program is individualized and personal guidance that students receive throughout their studies, including their clinical internship experience.

An important objective of the MPS program is to challenge the stereotyping of the mentally ill and other populations, based on a humanistic approach to the therapeutic process. Essential to this orientation is the concept that the therapist and client work together, and can affect each other's growth and development. As student therapists work with clients, emotional maturity is enhanced, facilitating each student's ability for self-growth.

Art therapy provides a rewarding complement for those artists interested in other venues of creative expression in addition to making their own works of art. There is great satisfaction in functioning as both a therapist and an artist, in utilizing one's talents to help others achieve personal growth through the creative process.

Deborah Farber, chair

Why a gradute degree in Art Therapy?
Artists intuitively understand the healing aspects of the creative process. To utilize this understanding as a therapeutic tool however, requires a comprehensive curriculum that probes the many theories of human development. Clinical internships can then develop this knowledge further through practical use, extending the student?s understanding of the field.

Why a degree at School of Visual Arts?
SVA?s artistic and academic tradition as the largest independent undergraduate art college in the country, make it an outstanding forum for receiving a graduate education in Art Therapy. Its location draws on the density, diversity, and excellence of New York?s population and cutting-edge institutions.

Objectives of the MPS program in art therapy:

• To offer intensive training in art therapy principles and practice, contemporary theories of psychological development, and the nature and healing power of creativity.

• To provide students with individualized personal guidance throughout their program, especially for their clinical internship experiences.

• To encourage artistic development in student art therapists.

• To provide students with a strong clinical foundation.

• To challenge stereotyping of the mentally ill and other populations based on a humanistic approach to the therapeutic process.

• To promote the concept that the therapist and client work together and thus affect each other?s growth.