Academic Catalog 2021-22

Contents
Catalog Links

Art Therapy (MA, PhD) and Marriage and Family Therapy (MA)

The Art Therapy Psychology Department at Dominican is the only one of its kind in Northern California. It is unique because it provides a Master of Arts in Art Therapy (MA-AT), a Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy (MA-MFT), and a Ph.D. in Art Therapy. The MA-AT meets the requirements of the Board of Behavioral Sciences (BBS) and qualifies students to apply to become a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC). The MA-MFT is a clinical licensure course of study, leading to a Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy, while preparing students to apply for a license to become a Marriage and Family Therapist (MFT).

Both the MA in Art Therapy and the MA in Marriage and Family Therapy degree programs are approved by the American Art Therapy Association (AATA). Students who graduate meet the eligibility requirements to become aRegistered Art Therapist (ATR) by the Art Therapy Credentials Board (ATCB). The department also offers an option for a Post-Master’s/Advanced Standing Master of Arts in Art Therapy (MA-AT).

The PhD in Art Therapy program is designed as a 3-year program with 52 required units. The cohort model is used with students admitted in the fall semester only, every other year. The program curriculum is designed to meet PhD expectations with an emphasis on research integrated with practice. The target population is a practitioner in the field of art therapy or one from the allied fields who have sufficient prerequisite education and experience in art and/or art therapy. The population includes those who are motivated to take leadership in advancing the theoretical, research, and clinical foundations of the profession of an art therapist, including those interested in teaching at art therapy programs and supervising or mentoring future art therapists.

The Art Therapy Psychology Department draws applicants from around the world. Approximately 30 percent of students come from outside of California. Art Therapy Psychology graduates work with children, adolescents, couples, adults, elders, families, groups and communities. The students bring Art Therapy into a wide variety of settings, which include schools, mental health organizations, inpatient and outpatient programs, hospitals, community centers, nursing homes, assisted living centers, prisons, private practices and more.

Program Learning Outcomes

Students will demonstrate:

  1. Professional development and clinical suitability.
  2. Ability to effectively apply marriage and family therapy and Professional Counselor and Art Therapy Interventions.
  3. Understanding of a) claims and evidence and b) methods of implementation of interventions related to Marriage and Family Therapy, Professional Counseling, and Art Therapy.
  4. Understanding and ability to implement ethical and legal guidelines in treatment as well as scholarly work.
  5. Ability to understand, integrate, and communicate research data related to Marriage and Family Therapy, Professional Counseling, and Art Therapy.