Learn Concepts and Skills In Therapeutic Art
The Graduate Certificate in Therapeutic Art, offered by School of Art and Design in the College of Creative Arts and Media, offers additional training and new professional opportunities for art educators, as well as students in art education and the fine arts. The certificate is particularly valuable for those who are knowledgeable and versed in therapeutic art concepts and technical skills within their teaching practice in the PreK-12 classroom. The concepts and skills learned will benefit all students, but especially those coming from special needs and at-risk student populations. Students in this two-semester program will engage in free exploration, art experimentation, group discussion, and personal reflections to learn therapeutic art concepts and theories and to apply learned methods to personal and professional practices.
Program Details
By using a variety of advanced art methods and therapeutic art approaches, the Graduate Certificate in Therapeutic Art provides advanced instructional study for art educators, fine artists, and students in helping professions on how engagement in art-making can facilitate self-reflection, promote healing, and improve overall mental health and wellness. The certificate is offered exclusively online and can be completed in one year.
Upon completion of the certificate students will be able to:
- Provide an integrated, interdisciplinary approach to understanding and mastering Therapeutic Art systems, methods, and practices that place emphasis on the interdependence between teaching art and the whole being of the child;
- Integrate concepts and skills from Therapeutic Art to benefit all students, but especially those coming from special needs and at-risk student populations;
- Help practicing art educators gain a foundational understanding of the current field of Therapeutic Art in order to understand how it complements the therapeutic value of art within art education;
- Widen practicing art teachers’ perspectives of the visual arts to help improve student learning, interpersonal skills and behavior, and/or physical abilities within the education environment;
- Supplement practicing art educators with new skills that enhance positive student behaviors, increase self-esteem, augment cognitive abilities and improve social skills through visual arts therapy approaches, art activities, assessments and evaluation;
- Engage current practicing art educators in exercise and project level art-making that focuses on expression, while still considering technical skills and concepts.