Master of Arts in Counseling and Art Therapy Program Mission and Objectives

Program Mission

The Master of Arts in Counseling and Art Therapy Program provides education and training in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and prepares competent, entry level Art Therapists in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavior) domains. Students learn to aid clients in exploring personal potentials and problems through both visual and verbal expression. 

Graduates are prepared to work with clients from diverse backgrounds in a variety of clinical, educational, medical, and human service agencies. A wide range of internship placements and service-learning opportunities are available, and students are encouraged to develop areas of expertise and specialization in line with their strengths and interests, as well as exhibit professional dispositions in line with core values of the program and the professions.

As an extension of the mission, the program aims to:

1. Prepare students upon graduation to become licensed and credentialed holistically educated human service professionals adept in facilitating the creative process as a source of integration and healing

2. Utilize the vast community resources to expose students to competent training environments for clinical mental health counseling and art therapy

3. Offer a state-of-the-art curriculum that develops the specific competencies of the professions of counseling and art therapy to reach a diverse and global population

4. Incorporate a philosophy of education and training that is motivated by respect for the dignity of each person

5. Improve the quality of life for diverse populations seeking services in the healthcare and wellness fields through counseling and art therapy

Learning Objectives

Upon earning a master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and Art Therapy, our graduates will be able:

1.  To know and practice counseling and art therapy ethical standards according to the professional associations and state/national boards for each profession

2. To know and utilize appraisal instruments, art therapy assessments, and to be able to diagnose

3. To know and demonstrate understanding of counseling theory, art therapy theory, developmental theory, history of clinical mental health counseling and art therapy fields, and of recipient populations/specializations.

4.  To know and demonstrate effective and culturally responsive skills with individuals, groups, and families in all phases of the therapeutic process, including treatment planning, appropriate documentation, and verbal and non-verbal interventions, working with diverse populations/specializations, including those from marginalized backgrounds.

5.  To demonstrate personal and professional growth, including effective use of supervision, recognition of strengths and limitations, and development of a unique voice and vision as a professional counselor and art therapist who is active in professional associations and committed to ongoing personal creative expression and professional development.