Art Therapy/Counseling

About This Program
	Apply Inquire
	Admissions Contact Graduate Admissions (413) 748-3225 graduate@springfield.edu Schedule a visit Are you an International Student? Please contact intladmissions@springfield.edu Make an appointment
	Program Contact Simone Alter-Muri Professor Program Director Department of Visual and Performing Arts saltermu@springfield.edu (413) 748-3752
	Curriculum and Delivery 60-63 credit MEd and 64-68 credit MS programs Courses offered on campus in Springfield, Mass. Tracks in Art Studio or Research Working and performance spaces Explore the program goals Sequences of courses (MED) Sequences of courses (MS) Program curriculum Learning outcomes
	Start Dates and Duration Start in September (fall semester)
	Career Opportunities Careers and internships
	Paying for Your Education Tuition and fees Financial Aid Fellowships and scholarships
	Upcoming Art Therapy Events Tips and Pointers for Applying to Graduate School Wednesday, December 11 at 6 p.m. Register

Springfield College art therapy students working on an art project

In the MEd/MS in Art Therapy/Counseling at Springfield College, you will learn to become a professional who integrates art and psychology in clinical therapeutic practice. The program trains students through a course of study that blends theory, technique, and practice. With classes in art therapy, counseling, psychology, research, and studio art, you’ll develop your artistic and creative skills in large studio spaces, while also training to conduct research.

And, you’ll quickly translate your knowledge into real-world skills, starting with a practicum experience in your second semester. Internship opportunities begin in year two, and provide the chance to work with individuals and groups of all ages who are experiencing mental illness, emotional and behavioral challenges, cancer, medical issues, brain injuries, or sexual and domestic abuse. Graduates from this program are master's-level clinicians who can jump right into the workforce, and pursue licensing.

You’ll have the option to pursue a Master of Science, which will provide you with clinical training and practice, studio art, and a completed research project, or the Master of Education track, which focuses on an understanding of arts-based research. By selecting this track, you’ll develop as an art therapist with an emphasis on academic scholarship surrounding clinical applications of research. While both tracks require participation in a final art exhibit, students in the MEd track concentrate on an aesthetic vision that includes materials, techniques, invention, expression, and observation. Emphasis of the final art exhibit for students in the MS track is related to their clinical experience.

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"The faculty impacted my experience by being very knowledgeable in the field and providing me with very helpful information that I still reflect upon, utilize, and put into practice in my career to this day." Naarah Macklin, G’13

“When I was looking for Art Therapy programs, Springfield College was one of the top-ranked Art Therapy programs in the country. Additionally, Springfield College’s Art Therapy/Counseling program/curriculum promoted a dual licensure opportunity in which graduates were eligible to obtain both their board certification as art therapists and as professional counselors post-graduation.” Blair Chase, G'16

“Springfield College’s unique combination of the highest quality athletics and science training was a big factor for me. I really enjoyed being in an environment where the arts, sciences, and athletics were all highly valued.” Ricardo Avila, G'19

"I feel at home at Springfield College and wouldn't want my education anywhere else." Heidi Schuman '22, Graduate Class of 2024

“The Art Therapy/Counseling program is an excellent environment for those who are interested in exploring this field further and are looking for an engaging and challenging environment to enhance their education.” Arielle Jessop-Humpage, G'22

CAAHEP
25400 US Highway 19 North
Suite 158
Clearwater, FL 33763
(727) 210-2350

Accreditation

The Art Therapy/Counseling Graduate Program at Springfield College is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (caahep.org) upon the recommendation of the Accreditation Council for Art Therapy Education.

How to Apply:

Portfolio Requirements

Please read the following guidelines for preparing your art portfolio for review by a member of the Department of Visual and Performing Arts.

A minimum of eight pieces
1. Pieces should reflect your growth as an artist, ability to work with diverse media, skills and your creativity
2. While choosing pieces to include in your portfolio, do not limit yourself to 2-D work (also show multiple views of 3-D pieces).
Please include the following information for your work indicating
1. Number
2. Title of each piece
3. Date of completion
4. Medium used
5. Approximate size of the piece
Please include a short artist statement

Submit your portfolio via upload to your application portal. Instructions for upload will be emailed to you after you submit your application.

Prerequisite Courses

Prerequisite courses must be complete or in progress to be eligible for admission to the program:

18 credits in studio art (at least 3 credits need to be in a 3-dimensional art form, including clay, sculpture, or 3-dimensional art)
12 credits in Psychology
3 credits in Intro/General Psychology
3 credits in Abnormal Psychology
3 credits of an elective course in Psychology
3 credits of a course in either Introduction to Art Therapy, a research course in psychology, or developmental psychology

Application Requirements

Complete the online application: Once your application form is processed you will receive an email with your application portal login credentials and instructions for submitting supplemental materials as listed below.
Essay: In two to three double-spaced pages, please describe significant life experiences that have contributed to your interest in your field, your understanding of this field, your occupational objectives, and why you have chosen Springfield College.
Resume: Please include any college activities, out-of-school leadership experiences, work history, and community involvement to support your interest in or qualifications for graduate study.
Two letters of recommendation: Two letters of recommendation from a faculty member or direct supervisor: Recommenders will receive an email when you submit your application and will be able to upload your letter to your application.
Interview: This program requires an interview.
Transcripts: An official transcript from each college/university you have attended is required. In order to be considered official, transcripts must be received directly from the original source, by email to graduate@springfield.edu or mailed to the college address:

Springfield College
Office of Graduate Admissions
263 Alden Street
Springfield, MA 01109

International Applicants

$100 non-refundable International Application fee

In addition to the above admissions requirements, all international applicants from non-English-speaking countries are required to submit:

Proof of English language proficiency by way of the TOEFL or IELTS: Other tests may be accepted on a case-by-case basis. Please refer to our language requirements for more information on acceptable tests, minimum scores, exemptions, and conditional acceptance. If your undergraduate degree was earned in the United States and you successfully completed college-level English, we will consider English language proficiency met.
Please note: Transcripts must be in English. If the transcript is not in English you will be required to submit a professional credential evaluation completed by any member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES). For this we recommend SpanTran, with its customized portal for Springfield College applicants. World Education Services or Josef Silny & Associates, Inc. are also recommended for your credential evaluations.

The Office of International Admissions can assist you with questions you may have about enrolling at Springfield College as an international student by emailing intladmissions@springfieldcollege.edu.

Application Deadlines

Domestic Students:

Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis as space is available

International Students:

Application and Supporting Materials Deadline: May 1

You can now pursue your Master of Education.

The new MEd track focuses on an understanding of arts-based research, allowing you to develop your skills as an art therapist while also preparing you to contribute to the field through academic scholarship surrounding clinical applications of research. While you're in the MEd track, you'll concentrate on an aesthetic vision that includes a final art exhibition that focuses on materials, techniques, invention, expression and observation for your final art exhibit.

Why study art therapy/counseling?

Experience the best of two worlds—art and psychology—in the Springfield College master's-level art therapy/counseling program.

Learn more

Dr. Simone Alter-Muri receives the Outstanding Creative Applied Practice Award

Learn From the Best

Springfield College Director of Art Therapy/Counseling Dr. Simone Alter-Muri received the American Art Therapy Association's 2021 Outstanding Creative Applied Practice Award. This award is granted to a recipient whose personal work emphasizes social justice and who aims to promote art therapy in the community.