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 artmaking 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.
Curriculum
Program Website
Admission
To be considered for admission, the applicant must have a bachelors’ degree
in studio art, art education from a program accredited by NASAD with a minimum
cumulative GPA of 3.0 or better. Any student currently enrolled in a graduate
program of a related field at WVU may also take the Therapeutic Art certificate
courses. Students in the post bachelors’ certificate program must maintain
a 3.0 GPA to progress.
Students should apply to the WVU Graduate School and the School of Art and
Design Graduate School.
Note: Admission criteria are subject to change. Please see the School of
Art and Design website for the most up-to-date criteria on how to apply.
Applications that are incomplete or submitted after the deadline may be
reviewed if openings remain.
Admission Requirements
To be eligible for admission into the Graduate Certificate in Therapeutic Art,
an applicant must submit the following documentation:
- Résumé/CV
- Statement of Purpose
- Two Letters of Recommendation
- Essay/Writing Sample (Contact a graduate program representative for a prompt).
Writing sample should be submitted to
https://wvuart.slideroom.com
- Please contact a program representative for further information regarding
the portfolio requirements.
Application Deadline:
Fall: January 15
University Requirements:
To be eligible for admission into a graduate program at WVU an applicant
must submit official, bachelor’s degree transcripts from a regionally accredited
institution and hold a GPA of at least 2.75.
Program Contacts:
Therese Giobbia
Coordinator of the Arts Education/Arts Therapy Graduate Programs
Email:
tegiobbia@mail.wvu.edu
Phone: (304) 293-2393
Graduate Admissions and Recruitment
Email:
graduateadmissions@mail.wvu.edu
Phone: (304) 293-5980
International Admissions
Email:
internationaladmissions@mail.wvu.edu
Phone: (304) 293-2121