ART THERAPY – STUDIO ARTS EMPHASIS (Minor)

The Art Therapy Minors provide students in the Psychology and Studio Arts majors direct pathways to pursue graduate study in Art Therapy. For those not in the Psychology or Studio Arts majors, they do not provide a direct pathway to graduate study unless they complete all courses in both emphasis areas.

The Education Committee of the American Art Therapy Association requires students to complete courses that provide “knowledge of and skills in usage of visual art and the creative process, coupled with application of theories and techniques in human development, psychology, and counseling” to proceed to study Art Therapy at the graduate level. The Art Therapy Minors compile courses that provide precisely the knowledge and skills required by the AATA to study at the graduate level.

For information on the Art Therapy Minor (Psychology Emphasis) please see the Psychology program section of the Catalog.

Program Learning Outcomes

• Compose and design using formal design elements and principles in a purposeful way

• Communicate ideas visually while examining how formal design elements strengthen the communicative properties of an image

• Experiment and explore a variety of media, resulting in mastery of one or more media

• Integrate traditional art making techniques with digital components through experimenting with a variety of media

• Develop visual sensitivity through the process of research, conceptual development, creating works of art, discussion and critique

• Conceptualize and create work from idea to physical form while examining process

• Examine and articulate an integrated perspective on the arts in conjunction with social, historical, political and/or environmental and contemporary issues

• Appreciate the diversity of aesthetic expression in both the western and non-western worlds

• Document personal vision and voice through the creation of a portfolio in a cohesive and professional manner

• Use language of the discipline in a written format research and discuss inspiration, analyze process, and describe works of art