Foundation Arts Therapies Cert

About the course

The Art Therapy Foundation programme provides a broad introduction to current, therapeutic use of the arts. It concentrates on arts therapies process and its clinical application within health care and educational settings, as well as social inclusion through art.

Situated in the Postgraduate Centre of the School of Creative Arts, the Art Therapy Foundation programme provides excellent studio facilities and experienced arts therapy staff.

While focusing on visual art the Art Therapy Foundation programme also crucially includes music, drama and dance/movement.

The approach is designed for students who are interested in the relationship between creativity, art making and therapy with art making central to teaching and learning.

Students attend one evening a week (Mondays) from 1st October 2012 - April 2013.

There are three Saturday intensives.

The Art Therapy Foundation programme comprises of three modules delivered through a variety of:

• taught practical workshops
• studio practice
• lectures
• experiential groups

Why choose this course?

The Art Therapy Foundation programme provides:

• a broad introduction to current, therapeutic use of the arts
• excellent studio facilities and experienced arts therapy staff
• focus on visual art but also crucially includes music, drama and dance/movement

Study routes

• Part Time, 1 Years

Locations

• University of Hertfordshire, Hatfield

Careers

Successful students will be awarded a University Foundation Certificate in Arts Therapies. While not a qualification to practice this provides an excellent overview of the art therapy profession for people considering training at MA level.

Students also gain transferable skills and an enhanced understanding of the therapeutic potential of the arts.

Teaching methods

The Art Therapy Foundation programme comprises of three modules delivered through a variety of taught practical workshops, studio practice, lectures and experiential groups.

Students submit three short written pieces of work and are expected to spend 150 hours in self-directed study. Tutorial support is provided.

In Semester B they take part in a working group which helps them to reach a deeper awareness of themselves and others and to appreciate the potential of creativity and imagination within a therapeutic milieu.

The primary aim of the group is educational and not to provide therapy for students.

Work Placement

n/a

Professional Accreditations

Non-qualifying.

Structure

Year 1

Core Modules

• Art Therapy Working Group 2

  This module offers students the opportunity to participate in an art therapy group. The group is facilitated by a qualified and experienced art therapist. The group works within clearly defined boundaries of time, place and confidentiality. These boundaries are important because they provide a safe and contained environment for the expression of material which may be of a personal and emotional nature. The module aims to develop your capacity to reflect on and work with the ideas, emotion and experiences which may arise from working with a wide range of art-based media and reflecting on their expressive capacities and significance; and gives some cnsideration to other modalities of arts therapies. You are expected to keep a journal of your experiences. A 1000 word summary is submitted for assessment.

• Arts Therapies Workshops and Studio Practice 2

  In this module which is normally delivered through several intensive days, students will participate in a variety of art therapy activities, becoming more familiar with the range of approaches and techniques which may be used. This will include working with themes, drawing and group painting and make reference to other modalities of arts therapies. During the self directed study students will further explore therapeutic approaches and art making in their own studio practice. The module is assessed on the basis of a course journal through a 750 word self-appraisal. The module pays attention to exploring art works and their significance using both individual and group work processes. Group work comprises of seminars in which the collective experience of the whole cohort is used as a tool for reflection and analysis.

• Introduction to Arts Therapies Theories 2

  This module which is taught over a series of evening sessions is designed to introduce students to the key theoretical concepts which make up the broad foundation of arts therapies practice. The module consists of lectures, seminars and some workshops. Basic principals of psychotherapy and group dynamics as well as more specifically relevant psychological themes such as Winnicott on play are included. From the field of art history and anthropology, the traditions of the therapeutic function of the arts are also considered. Emphasis will be given to issues of cultural diversity and their impact on the discipline of art therapy. Current practices of art, drama and music therapy will be discussed. Students will be expected to study further from recommended texts and to complete a 1500-2000 word essay and reading list.

Optional

Fees & funding

Fees 2013

UK/EU Students

Full time: £1,290 for the 2013 academic year

Part time: If you decide to study this course on a part time basis you will be charged on a modular basis. The cost is £430 for each 15-credit module

International Students

Discounts are available for International students if payment is made in full at registration

View detailed information about tuition fees

Other financial support

Find out more about other financial support available to UK and EU students

Living costs / accommodation

The University of Hertfordshire offers a great choice of student accommodation, on campus or nearby in the local area, to suit every student budget.

View detailed information about our accommodation

How to apply