MA Art Therapy MA

About the course

On the MA Art Therapy masters we place particular emphasis on the relationship art therapy has with other art forms such as fine art, ceramics, design, film and digital image making, on a theoretical and practical level. Experiential learning is regarded as a key experience with time and space given to the continuing development of the student's artistic identity.

The aim of the MA Art Therapy course is to train art therapists for employment in the public sector. This includes theoretical and practical knowledge, understanding and skills relevant to a range of client groups and settings. You are offered a broad theoretical foundation in the key principles of psychodynamic and humanistic psychotherapy in relation to current art therapy theory and research. The programme area also offers a range of pre and post qualification opportunities such an Arts Therapy Foundation programme, Introductory and Continuing Professional Development (CPD) short courses and research opportunities up to PhD.

The MA Art Therapy course has links with the Faculty for Health and Human Sciences and European universities and organisations e.g ECArTE. The University is within easy reach of London by rail, road and air.

Personal Therapy for the duration of the training is a requirement of all students.

The core staff team have an excellent reputation in terms of teaching quality and research in their fields. The programme also employs other professionals such as psychotherapists and arts therapies who continue to conduct clinical practice with a range of client groups.

You have access to a state of the art Learning Resources Centre which contains a wealth of material on related disciplines, maintained by specialist staff who provide support and advice when need.

 

Why choose this course?

• The MA Art Therapy is approved by The Health Care Professions Council (HCPC) and is situated in the postgraduate area of The School of Creative Arts. The programme places a strong emphasis on developing the student’s artistic identity in tandem with their understanding of the skills and knowledge required for safe therapeutic practice
• Contemporary visual art practices that link to psychodynamic processes are taught across the curriculum. Students learn how research is a cross-discipline mode of enquiry while developing knowledge of how theory underpins and informs art therapy practice with a range of vulnerable people
• Students attend placements throughout the course and develop themselves professionally through supervision, reflection and by articulating their practice in writing, research and presentations.
• The programme guides students toward achieving employment in health care, education and/or voluntary organisations. Focusing on the public sector these range from adult and child mental health, palliative care, learning disability, prisons, main stream and special schools etc.

Study routes

• Part Time, 3 Years
• Full Time, 2 Years

Locations

• University of Hertfordshire, Hatfield

Careers

The qualification leads to an award that is recognised for professional registration purposes by the Health Professions Council (HPC) and The British Association of Art Therapists (BAAT).

Career opportunities vary from work in the NHS, social services, the voluntary sector and increasingly in main stream education. Art Therapists frequently work on a sessional basis or part time in a range of settings. Students receive workshops on how to market themselves post-qualification.

Teaching methods

The learning experience offers clinical, theoretical and artistic opportunities and is comprised of the following areas of study:

Theory and Research

• Lectures and seminars focus on psychodynamic principles and the theoretical framework for understanding the context in which art therapy is currently practiced and researched. Tutorial support is offered.

Experiential Groups

• Workshops and training groups explore group processes and different approaches to art therapy practice.

• Studio practice is a pivotal experience on this programme. Students can access the facilities within the Faculty.

Clinical Placement and Supervision

• 120 days of clinical placement. Supervision is a key component and is provided within the University and on the placement. The programme has a view that a range of clinical experience is necessary in order to maximise the student's employment prospects.

Professional Accreditations

MA Art Therapy

Structure

Year 1

Core Modules

• Art Therapy Practice 1

  This Art Therapy Practice 1 module provides students with a placement experience of max 60 days in a health or educational setting that is responsive to public and voluntary sector changes. Students will learn effective art therapy practice within a well-supported and carefully monitored structure that bridges the learning experience on placement with that offered at the University. Lectures introduce student to key concepts underpinning art therapy practice.

• Creative Enterprise and Context

  This module emphasises the professional contexts of the student's work both in terms of its content and in terms of the kind of outcomes used for assessment. A series of lectures present ideas about key issues in the Creative Industries and Health and Social sectors. The lectures provide a broad context for ideas about the emergence and future of the Creative Industries and Health and Social sectors about Intellectual Property Rights, about the social conditions of the workplace and about the planning and management of projects. 'Break out' seminars lead to the student producing a piece of work that explores topics relevant to their award of study. Alongside these is the development of professional 'presentation of self' skills appropriate for the student's aspirations. This includes the development of portfolios, showreels and other material and skills in preparing and delivering a pitch or bid for funding as if for a Creative Industries or in the Health and Social sectors.

• Experiential Training 1

  This experiential module offers students an opportunity to begin to develop their understanding of themselves as art therapy practioners. Studio practice is pivotal to the student’s development of their visual art practice; time and space are offered in the studio, in discussion groups and in School of Creative Arts workshops. The understanding of imagery as a means of psychological expression and conveyor of meaning is explored within experiential groups where students have begun to explore a range of contemporary art therapy approaches. Students will be encouraged to articulate links between their own and others arts practice through engagement in visual culture and exhibitions.

• Experiential Training 2

  This experiential module offers students increased opportunity to develop their understanding of themselves art therapy practioners. Studio practice is pivotal to the student’s development of their visual art practice and time and space is offered in the studio, in discussion groups and in School of Creative Arts workshops. The understanding of imagery as a means of psychological expression and conveyor of meaning is further explored within experiential groups where students disseminate a range of contemporary art therapy approaches. Students will be encouraged to further articulate links between their own and others art practice through engagement in visual culture and exhibitions.

• Research and Enquiry

  This module aims to provide students with a range of research skills suitable for postgraduate level study in art, art therapy, design, film, media and music. The module helps students locate their work within contemporary advance-level practice in their disciplines and to make a critical evaluation of the bodies of ideas that sustain them. Key skills addressed include those of data management, critical evaluation, communication skills, notions of creativity and a range of modes of contextual analysis. The skills gleaned on this module will provide students with a platform for research for the remainder of the programme and in their future careers.

Optional

Fees & funding

Fees 2013

UK/EU Students

Full time: £9,890 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 £618 for each 15-credit module

International Students

Full time: £15,000 for the 2013 academic year Full time: £15,000 for the 2013 academic year

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