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Program of Study

Majors in Art Therapy

The Art Therapy curriculum at LIU Post seeks an effective balance between theory, and practice. Survey classes such as ARTH 600 (Theories of Art Therapy) and ARTH 605 (The History and Philosophy of Art Therapy) provide students with a strong theoretical foundation in clinical art therapy. The orientation of these three courses is both eclectic and comprehensive in nature. ARTH 607 integrates group process and clinical art therapy practice. ARTH 609 focuses on the integration and application of clinical art therapy with children and adolescents utilizing drive theory, learning theory and, object relations theory as foundational constructs. ARTH 611 is a comprehensive overview of family therapy and its application to art psychotherapy. While creative exploration is provided in all of the academic courses, studio workshops such as ARTH 602 (Drawing, Painting and Sculpture for the Art Therapist - Studio) focus squarely upon developing and enhancing the art therapy student's art making capacities. Work in painting, drawing, clay work and sculpture is complemented by applications made in the clinical milieu. ARTH 603 (Multicultural Issues in Clinical Art Therapy) focuses on the development of culture-specific methods of art therapy treatment for culturally diverse populations and stimulates awareness of racial, ethical, political and gender biases inherent in society and the mental health field. ARTH 616 (Clinical Projectives and Art Based Assessments) explores the historical and theoretical premises related to adult diagnostic art assessment and evaluation that are pertinent when working in the clinical setting.

ARTH 614 and 615 (Internship I & II: Supervision Seminar) are clinical internships. Internships are completed by all graduate students, traditionally entering their second year of study. Over ninety clinical sites are affiliated with our graduate clinical art therapy program, These clinical affiliation are local to the New York Metropolitan tri-state area, as well as national and international internships. Supervision supports the students while in the field. Thesis tutorials, ARTH 706 (Research Methods), 707 (Thesis Research) and 708 (Thesis), prepare the students for their advanced research projects. Course work in psychology emphasizes current A.P.A. standards, with emphasis upon the psychopathologies featured in the DSM-IV, while psychopharmacology initiates the art therapy student into the field of psychotropic medication and its impact upon the therapeutic process. A range of counseling courses, such as play therapy, multi-cultural or gender counseling, round out this dynamic multi-faceted curriculum.

PLAN OF STUDY - 2 YEAR PROGRAM

SEMESTER I (Fall)

Courses
ARTH 600 Theories in Art Therapy
ARTH 602 Drawing, Painting and Sculpture for the Art Therapist – Studio
ARTH 605 History and Philosophy of Art Therapy
PSY 655 Psychopathology

SEMESTER II (Spring)

Courses
ARTH 607 Clinical Methods in Group Art Therapy with Adults
ARTH 609 Special Populations and Topics in Child Art Therapy
ARTH 616 Clinical Projectives and Art Based Assessments
PSY 664 Psychotherapy: Theory and Practice or alternate Counseling elective

SEMESTER III (Summer)

Courses
ARTH 706 Research Methods
ARTH 614 Internship I: Supervision Seminar
Optional: ART Elective (Graduate Level)

SEMESTER IV (Fall)

Courses
ARTH 611 Therapeutic Systems in Family Art Therapy
ARTH 615 Internship II: Supervision Seminar
ARTH 707 Thesis Research

SEMESTER V (Spring)

Courses
ARTH 708 Thesis
ARTH 603 Multicultural Issues in Clinical Art Therapy
PSY 666 Psychopharmacology