Art Therapy Major

For information, contact Laura Zeisler 610-606-4666 ext 3723 Lzeisler@cedarcrest.edu

Program Description

Art Therapy is a form of psychotherapy that engages the client in image making. The Art Therapy Major at the undergraduate level introduces the student to theories in art therapy and develops the student’s technical skills in multiple studio mediums. The Art Therapy undergraduate major prepares students to pursue graduate studies in the field of Art Therapy.

• The Art Therapy Major is offered as a day or evening program. Students must receive a C or better on all courses related to the major.
• Students transferring into the Art Therapy Major from another institution may not transfer more than 18 credits toward their degree.
• Transfer students must have a portfolio review the first semester they matriculate.

Mission Statement

The Art Therapy Major at Cedar Crest College provides a supportive and inclusive classroom environment that fosters respect for each person and empowerment of the individual through relationship building, leadership development, civic engagement, global connectivity and health and wellness initiatives. Coursework inspires social awareness, community advocacy, and prepares students to be compassionate leaders using the healing potential of the arts. The Art Therapy Major supports and enhances the Cedar Crest College mission by way of program curriculum and leadership experiences that challenge the student to engage in principles and practice that prepares the student to communicate independent ideas formed by historical, cultural and theoretical concepts.

Departmental Review for Field/Practicum Placement

Students majoring in Art Therapy, Education, Nuclear Medicine, Nursing, Nutrition or Social Work are required to complete a field practicum or clinical experience. Because this requirement necessitates working with vulnerable populations in a community setting, it is important that the student has advanced interpersonal skills, mature judgment, and appropriate professional demeanor.  Prior to practicum, students will complete a self-evaluation form and formulate learning and personal growth goals.  Thus faculty in these programs will review students prior to the practicum, and make appropriate recommendations up to and including removal from placement. 

REQUIREMENTS FOR THE MAJOR

Foundations:
ART 101          Basic Drawing            3 credits

ART 201          Basic Drawing II         3 credits
OR ART 245    Anatomy for the Artist   3 credits

ART 110          Principles of Visual Organization     3 credits
ART 105          Art History I    3 credits
ART 106          Art History II   3 credits

Art & Technology (choose 1):
ART 238          Elements of Design 3 credits
COM 107        Digital Imaging with Photoshop

Two studio electives (one 2D and one 3D):
2D classes
ART 111          Printed Image 3 credits
ART 113          Illustration      3 credits
ART 123          Painting          3 credits
ART 124          Papermaking 3 credits
ART 139          Book Arts        3 credits
ART 201          Basic Drawing II         3 credits
ART 245          Anatomy for the Artist           3 credits

3D classes
ART 127          Sculpture        3 credits
ART 131          Ceramics        3 credits
ART 125          Jewelry & Metalsmithing will not serve the Art Therapy Major requirements but may be taken as studio credit towards the Bachelor’s Degree (120 credits).

One second level in a chosen studio area:
ART 211          Printed Image            3 credits
ART 213          Illustration      3 credits
ART 227          Sculpture        3 credits
ART 223          Painting          3 credits
ART 231          Ceramics        3 credits
ART 224          Papermaking  3 credits        
ART 239          Book Art          3 credits

or choose one:
ART 250          Studio Concepts 2D 3 credits
ART 251          Studio Concepts 3D 3 credits

ART 125          Jewelry & Metalsmithing will not serve the Art Therapy Major requirements but may be taken as studio credit towards the Bachelor’s Degree (120 credits).

ART 335          Advanced Studio Problems (3rd level studio) 3 credits
(Pre-requisite 200 level studio and/or Studio Concepts 

Art Therapy Courses:
ART 103          Introduction to Art Therapy (pre-requisite: PSY 100)          3 credits
ART 303          Applications in Art Therapy (pre-requisite: ART 103)          3 credits (spring only)
ART 403          Art Therapy Practicum I (Sr. standing, fall only) (Pre-requisites: ART 103, 303)              3 credits
ART 404: Art Therapy Practicum II (Sr. standing, spring only, pre-requisites:ART 103, 303, 403) 3 credits

Psychology Courses:
PSY 100         General Psychology  3 credits
PSY 210         Life Span        3 credits
PSY 309         Abnormal Psychology            3 credits
PSY 351         Personality     3 credits

TOTAL CREDITS:      54 credits

The Art Department highly recommends upper level studio courses as general electives to supplement your portfolio for entrance into a Masters program. The department also recommends the following Art History, Psychology, English and Writing electives:

ART 200          Modern Art: 1800-1945 (fall)
ART 201          Contemporary Art: 1945-present (spring)
ART 215          Selected Movements in Art
ART 220          Women Artists (spring)
PSY 316         Systems of Psychotherapy
PSY 230         Team Building and Group Dynamics
PSY 242         Child and Adolescent Psychology
PSY 315         Child Counseling
PSY 227         Principles of Helping Relationships
ENG 234        Creative Writing: Poetry
SPS 171         Understanding and Using APA Editorial Style

Portfolio Reviews

In support of the continuing advancement of the art therapy major, full faculty portfolio reviews are held each semester, in the fall and spring, for all department majors. Students present a portfolio of current work created in their studio courses. The purpose of the portfolio review is to provide the student with feedback on the progress of her work and to suggest potential directions the work may take as well as to serve as an assessment tool for the Art Department.

Art Therapy majors must schedule their first portfolio review in their sophomore year, the second review is the semester prior to ART 335: Advanced Studio Problems and the third review will be completed in ART 403: Art Therapy Practicum I.

College Wide Requirements

Students fulfill the embedded requirements for the Art Therapy Major as follows:

• Oral Presentation requirement is met by the satisfactory completion ART 103, 303, 403, 404 and portfolio reviews
• Technology requirement is met by the satisfactory completion of ART 238 Elements of Design or COM 107 Digital Imaging with Photoshop.
• Information Literacy requirement is met by the satisfactory completion of the art history requirements (ART 105, ART 106) and Art Therapy courses (ART 103, 303, 403, 404)

All other college-wide requirements can be satisfied by the student’s choice with the final approval of the Registrar’s office through a graduation audit. Courses are identified in the catalog with their college-wide designations. In regard to the ML requirement the Art department recommends Math 102.

Student Learning Outcomes for the Art Therapy Major

• Examine art therapy theory and practice to provide historical and contemporary context for the understanding of the profession.     

• Demonstrate civic awareness and outreach through art-based practicum and community art projects.  

• Develop creative and academic language related to studio applications that support the holistic health of an individual.
  

• Develop confidence that builds innovative leaders by developing creative problem-solving, independent thinking and compassionate interaction with community residents.

• Identify psychological theories as integral components to the field of art therapy.