The B.A. in Art Therapy prepares students for graduate study in art therapy by familiarizing them with the general principles and concepts applicable to the field. This course of study also assists students in making an informed choice regarding art therapy as a career. In addition to studio art and Art History requirements, students are required to take the Psychology, Sociology, Anthropology and Art Therapy. Students should meet with the Chair of the Department and their adviser about this degree. Our program allows students to:
- Develop studio art skills.
- Include pre-professional studies in the behavioral and social sciences.
- Meet the requirements of the American Art Therapy Association for graduate school entrance prerequisites.
Adviser: Carole Loeffler
Bachelor of Arts in Art Requirements
The Art Therapy major can be elected as a B.A. or B.F.A. Art Therapy majors who choose to obtain the B.F.A. will earn a minimum of 20 credits above the usual 128 credits needed for graduation in order to fulfill requirements for the B.F.A. in Art Therapy major. NOTE: There is no minor in art therapy.
VIEW REQUIREMENTS
Study Abroad Opportunities for Visual Arts Majors
International study is encouraged for BA in Studio Art majors, if it is possible, as it supports the understanding of art and art history in diverse cultural environments.
Pathways to Study Abroad in Art and Design
"The artist's world is limitless. It can be found anywhere, far from where he lives or a few feet away. It is always on his doorstep." —Paul Strand
The Art and Design Department strongly encourages students to immerse themselves in the study abroad opportunities that Arcadia University offers. Art and Design majors have the opportunity to explore the world for a semester or more with excellent courses at some of the world's most prestigious art programs in the UK, Europe, Australia, and New Zealand.
You should meet with your adviser as a first year student to plan study abroad options. Almost all concentrations in Art and Design have sequenced courses, taken in a specific order, and certain concentrations only permit study abroad during a specific semester. You should meet with an adviser during your first year at Arcadia to discuss study abroad options. Careful planning is essential to avoid having to take an extra semester or year to complete your degree.
Below are some but not all of the schools at which you can study. In addition to formal classes, there are internship programs in England, Ireland, Scotland and Australia.
Programs and Courses Abroad
Specific Art Programs Abroad:
- The Burren College of Art (Ireland)
- The Glasgow School of Art (Scotland)
Studio Art/Design Courses Abroad
- The Accademia Italiana in Florence (Italy)
- Arcadia in Barcelona (Spain)
- Arcadia in Granada (Spain)
- Arcadia in London (England)
- Arcadia in Rome (Italy)
- Arcadia in Greece
- University of Aberdeen (Scotland)
- Arcadia in Cape Town (South Africa)
- Edinburgh Napier University (Scotland)
- University of Stirling (Scotland)
- National University of Ireland Galway (Ireland)
- University of Limerick (Ireland)
- The Umbra Institute in Perugia (Italy)
- University of Technology (Australia)
- Griffith University (Australia)
- University of Otago (New Zealand)
- Victoria University of Wellington (New Zealand)
- Bangor University (Whales)
Students are required to understand and apply basic principles of psychological theories to art therapy practice and to demonstrate familiarity with the working properties of various media and design principles, as well as basic knowledge of the principles of group dynamics. In order for students to reach the experience of the clinical situation, they must complete Introduction to Art Therapy, Intermediate Art Therapy and Media and Applications courses, along with the required Psychology, Sociology and Anthropology courses. After those courses are successfully completed with a grade of C or above, students are interviewed by the Internship Supervisor to ensure readiness, level of maturity, and fit with the desired location for placement in the supervised clinical situation.
Students are exposed to first-hand observation in the clinical setting and are familiarized with some of the more common settings in which art therapy is practiced. Students are exposed to a range of situations involving individuals with a broad range of needs and challenges.
Admission to Visual Arts Programs
Portfolio Review
The Visual and Performing Arts Department requires a portfolio review as part of the admissions process. Each student applying to the University as a visual arts major in a B.A. or B.F.A. degree program must submit a portfolio of work before acceptance into the program is granted.
More information on the portfolio review process.
Application without a Portfolio
A student who does not have a portfolio or has a limited portfolio can still apply to Arcadia University with the intent to join the program. Once accepted to the University, the student enrolls as an undeclared major. During the 10th week of the second semester, the student must submit a portfolio to the Visual and Performing Arts Department for evaluation and consideration for entry into the program. Additionally, the students must take the four visual arts foundation courses: FA 102 Studio Art Foundations I, FA 103 Studio Art Foundations II, FA 104 Drawing I, and FA 105 Drawing II.
A student must meet with his or her adviser to receive guidance on how to build a portfolio. It is the student’s responsibility to submit the portfolio at the designated time. A student who fails to submit a portfolio by the required date will be denied admission to the program.
Transfer Students
A student transferring into the University as a visual arts major is required to submit a portfolio. The contents of the portfolio should be selected to reflect the student’s abilities in the proposed area of concentration but also should contain work representing the student’s overall abilities. A transfer student without a portfolio should follow the guidelines for “Application without a Portfolio.”
Change of Major within the University
A student who wants to change his or her major to visual arts is required to submit a portfolio as part of the change of major process. A student who does not have a portfolio is required to submit a portfolio at the completion of the three (out of four) visual arts foundation courses: FA 102 and FA 103 Studio Foundations, and FA 104 Drawing I. A student must meet with his or her Visual and Perfroming Arts Department adviser to receive guidance on how to build a portfolio. The student is responsible for submitting the portfolio to the department at the completion of the foundation courses for consideration for entry into the program. A student who fails to submit a portfolio by the required date will be denied admission to the program.
