Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, with Art Therapy concentration Admission Requirements

Deadlines and Process for Clinical Mental Health Counseling, with Art Therapy concentration, Program Enrollment

The deadlines for applications to the CMHCAT program are as follows:

• Priority deadline: December 1 for fall semester enrollment
• Regular deadline: March 31 for fall semester enrollment

Students applying for admission must meet the general requirements for graduate admission and the following program requirements:

A 3-5 page essay in APA format discussing the following (in lieu of the general graduate admission essay referenced in the link above):

• Motivation for pursuing a career in clinical mental health counseling and art therapy, including the applicant's basic understanding of the professions and how they view themselves contributing to the mental health and growth of others as a future practitioner
• Aptitude for working with others, as demonstrated through interpersonal skills, empathy, cultural humility, openness to diverse perspectives, and a commitment to advocacy, equity, and inclusive practice
• The role and meaning of art in the applicant's life, including how creative expression has contributed positively to their own growth and wellbeing
• Strengths and opportunities for growth in areas of self-awareness, interpersonal effectiveness, artistic practice/creativity, and the capacity to support and serve others

A portfolio needs to be completed prior to interviewing with the faculty. The portfolio should contain:

• At least 24 works of art representing a variety of media and techniques, including examples of media in each of the studio art course prerequisite areas
• A separate index describing the media, size, and date the work was completed
• Digital images, slides, photos, or a link to an online personal studio or website are all acceptable.

Prerequisite coursework:

18 semester hours in studio art, with earned grade of ‘B’ or better, which must include:

• Drawing
• Painting
• Three-Dimensional Media (Ceramics, Sculpture, or equivalent)

6 semester hours in psychology, with earned grade of ‘B’ or better:

• Developmental Psychology (or Lifespan; Human Growth & Development; Child/Adolescent Psychology)
• Abnormal Psychology (or Psychopathology)

Select students may be provisionally accepted if they are missing 3 – 6 hours of the above classes. The remaining prerequisites must be completed within the first year of the program.

Experience working with people within a human service context is highly recommended.