MPS Art Therapy Curriculum

First-Year Course Requirements

Requirement A

Students must take all of the following courses:

ATG-5030 Theoretical Foundations of Art Therapy

ATG-5100 Child Art Development

ATG-5110 Adolescent Art Development

ATG-5130 Methods and Materials in Art Therapy

ATG-5150 Internship/Supervision in the Studio I

ATG-5155 Internship/Supervision in the Studio II

ATG-5180 Group Therapy and Practice

ATG-5240 Adult Art Development

ATG-5460 Psychiatric Populations and the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual

ATG-5550 Interviewing and Counseling Skills

Requirement B

Students must take one of the following courses each semester:

ATG-5614 Art Therapy, Displaced Youth and Human Rights

ATG-5621 Group Psychotherapy for Individuals with Substance Abuse Disorders

ATG-5631 Neuro-Informed Art Therapy

ATG-5637 Theory and Practice Across the Gender Spectrum

Second-Year Course Requirements

Requirement A

Students are required to take all of the following courses:

ATG-6070 Physiologies of Addiction and Trauma

ATG-6120 Thesis Project I

ATG-6125 Thesis Project II

ATG-6170 Internship/Supervision in the Studio III

ATG-6175 Internship/Supervision in the Studio IV

ATG-6210 Art Assessment and Diagnosis

ATG-6270 Cultural and Social Issues in Art Therapy

ATG-6490 Family Art Therapy

ATG-6520 Community Access Through the Arts

Addictionology specialists must also take ATG-6060, Clinical Topics in Addictionology; trauma specialists must also take ATG-6140, Clinical Topics in Trauma.

Requirement B

Students must take one of the following courses each semester:

ATG-5614 Art Therapy, Displaced Youth and Human Rights

ATG-5621 Group Psychotherapy for Individuals with Substance Abuse Disorders

ATG-5631 Neuro-Informed Art Therapy

ATG-5637 Theory and Practice Across the Gender Spectrum

ATG-6857 Counseling Team

General Course Listing

The following reflects the 2025-2026 course offerings. For further details on individual courses, such as meeting days and times, please refer to the Graduate Course Listing.

ATG-5030

Theoretical Foundations of Art Therapy

3 credits

The history of the theoretical aspects of art therapy will be explored. Analytic, behavioral, cognitive, interpersonal and humanistic approaches, important events, practitioners and the development of art therapy as a distinct therapeutic practice will be reviewed through readings, didactic and experiential sessions. Ethical and legal issues of art therapy practice, including certification, values, malpractice, confidentiality and an overview of psychotherapy theories relevant to art therapy will also be included in discussions and examined through case presentations and lectures.

ATG-5100

Child Art Development

3 credits

The behavior of children—from birth through pre-adolescence—is the focus of this course. Through case presentations, readings and discussion, we will examine the physical, emotional and intellectual growth of children, and explore psychological and physiological factors, as well as cultural and environmental influences that impact learning, creativity and personality development. Psychopathology and art therapy treatment approaches are included.

ATG-5110

Adolescent Art Development

3 credits

Adolescent Art Development provides a theoretical framework in which to examine adolescent development in terms of biological, intrapsychic, social and creative processes. Students will learn to facilitate healthy development for diverse adolescent populations through art. The course increases each student’s understanding of the role and impact that trauma, family dynamics, psychiatric diagnosis and the social context have on adolescent development, functioning and artistic expression. Establishing a therapeutic alliance in order to implement art therapy as assessment and treatment with adolescents and in the community is an ongoing area of discussion. 

ATG-5130

Methods and Materials in Art Therapy

3 credits

This course will enable students to examine the use of paints, inks, organic art processes, sculpture materials and other traditional and nontraditional art media and their uses with specific client populations. Salient features of particular materials and expressive dimensions will be discussed, including relevant technology. Students will explore the impact of art processes and materials through ongoing participation in personal art-making. By strengthening their connection to the creative process, students will gain an understanding of personal symbolic language, and arts-based learning allowing for the opportunity to integrate intellectual, emotional, artistic and interpersonal knowledge.

ATG-5150

Internship/Supervision in the Studio I

3 credits

Students will integrate academic theory with art therapy practice in the first half of a year-long practicum placement that will transition into an internship. The course requirement is participation in at least 16 hours per week of onsite work. Affiliations with a wide variety of clinical institutions and community agencies in and around New York City expose students to current applications of art therapy and related disciplines. Each student intern collaborates with their onsite supervisor, faculty supervisor and internship coordinator to guide their clinical training. Students will gain clinical art therapy skills while being introduced to clinical language, documentation, telehealth and supervision practices. Recognizing and addressing the impact socio-cultural-political issues have on client treatment will be ≈. They will begin to understand the clinical supervisory relationship and take an active role in the peer group supervision process and at their practicum placement. The ethical and legal standards of the American Art Therapy Association, Art Therapy Credentials Board, The New York State Education Department Office of Professions will be introduced. 

ATG-5155

Internship/Supervision in the Studio II

3 credits

Students will continue to integrate academic theory with art therapy practice in the second half of a year-long internship placement. The course requirement is participation in at least 16 hours per week of onsite work. Affiliations with a wide variety of clinical institutions and community agencies in and around New York City expose students to current applications of art therapy and related disciplines. Each student intern will continue to collaborate with their onsite supervisor, faculty supervisor and internship coordinator to guide their clinical training. 

ATG-5180

Group Therapy and Practice

2 credits

This course will assist in the development of clinical skills through an exploration of group art therapy techniques and practices. Emphasis will be placed on theoretical and experiential understanding of group dynamics and process, counseling methods, leadership styles and approaches, member roles and behaviors, short- and long-term group process, therapeutic factors and stages of group development with a wide variety of client populations. Other topics will include treatment planning, group documentation and the use of art-making and processing as a group therapeutic tool.

ATG-5240

Adult Art Development

3 credits

The physical and emotional development of adults will be examined in this course as we explore the psychological and physiological factors involved. Specific emphasis will be placed on the variations of innate personality traits and lived experiences, and how these manifest in behavior and creative expression. Normal development, psychopathology, clinical interventions and art therapy treatment approaches will be included. 

ATG-5460

Psychiatric Populations and the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual

3 credits

Psychopathology, as determined by the DSM multiaxial system, will be examined in depth. Case material will be presented for each diagnostic category and the clinical implications for the art therapist will be explored. Treatment approaches will be considered, as will indicators of functional and organic disorders in behavior and artwork of clients. Types of psychopharmacological medications will also be covered.

ATG-5550

Interviewing and Counseling Skills

2 credits

Students will be introduced to assessment and evaluation techniques for the treatment of traumatized populations, chemically dependent clients and their families. Intake strategies for both short- and long-term settings, and developing counseling skills will be the primary focus. We will examine psychological theories, systems perspective, application to case material and critical thinking with regard to similarities and differences between art therapy and counseling interventions. Contemporary theories for treatment of substance abuse will be included, and we will address areas such as behavioral, cognitive, educational, creative arts and experiential work.

ATG-5614

Art Therapy, Displaced Youth and Human Rights

1 credit

Systems of injustice can lead to violations of basic human rights. This course will explore social and mental health systems in which poverty, marginalization, exploitation, racism, and other forms of stigma and basic human rights violations occur. Through discussion, case presentation and interactive participation, students will learn about the physical, psychological and emotional consequences that many youths in our country face on a daily basis. Migrant and refugee children, youth in foster care and human trafficking will be main topic areas for review. The role of art therapy, collaboration between staff and ethical concerns will be addressed. Trauma informed approaches in art therapy that promote basic human rights, issues of social justice and support post-traumatic growth will be presented.

ATG-5621

Group Psychotherapy for Individuals with Substance Use Disorders

1 credit

An overview of treatment for individuals with substance use disorders (SUD) in a group setting is the focus of this course. A brief history of group therapy, different models of group therapy, the stages of group, and preparation for the client and the group leader will be discussed. Transference and countertransference will be examined in the context of mock group presentations. We will also explore the use of art therapy and how art contributes to the group process with individuals with SUD. 

ATG-5631

Neuro-Informed Art Therapy

1 credit

This course will provide participants with an understanding of the neuroanatomical structures and functions that inform psychotherapeutic intervention and assessment. From these foundations we will explore how neuroscience informs most, if not all, aspects of art therapy practice. In addition to neuroscience domains such as cognitive and social neuroscience, contemporary theories that include neuropsychoanalysis and neurophenomenology will be articulated to underscore the natural synthesis between art therapy and the sciences. Throughout, an emphasis will be placed on these intersecting fields and their theory, practice and research applications for art therapists.

ATG-5637

Theory and Practice Across the Gender Spectrum

1 credit

This course is structured around three areas to develop an expertise for clinical practice in relation to gender: theory, research and therapeutic clinical skills. We will first examine the most relevant and current theories related to gender across the spectrum including cisgender, transgender, nonbinary, gender fluid and agender. Next the course will survey the quantitative and qualitative research related to treatment issues which are most prevalent in connection to gender minorities and best practices. Finally, we will discuss various clinical practice orientations and interventions which provide the soundest exploration of gender in treatment. Through case examples we will explore how gender intersects with various clinical presentations such as trauma, sexual dysfunction, depression, anxiety, social phobia and autism. Readings will include WPATH’s Standards of Care, and authors Saketopoulou, Ehrensaft, Keo-Meier, Singh, Dickey, Langer, Violeta and Serano.

ATG-6060

Clinical Topics in Addictionology

3 credits

The phenomenology of substance abuse, utilizing a bio-psychological model, will be examined. A review of the history and evolution of current modes of treatment, in addition to the rationale for the disease concept of alcoholism, will be offered.

ATG-6070

Physiologies of Addiction and Trauma

3 credits

Contemporary neurochemical theories of addictions and the effects that sudden and sustained trauma can have on brain chemistry will be examined in this course. We will consider the ways in which trauma biochemically alters how we process experiences, store memories and respond to external stimuli. Clinical approaches to assessing and addressing neurological results of trauma will be included, with consideration given to current neurobiochemical research and the implications for art therapy treatment. Neuroanatomy and physiology will be examined as well as the use of psychotropic medication for treatment of substance abuse. Theories regarding the genetic etiology of substance abuse will be reviewed.

ATG-6120

Thesis Project I

3 credits

This course is an introduction to research methods in preparation for a master’s thesis in art therapy. Students will be supervised by art therapy faculty members in the development and production of a thesis topic. Each project must be clinical in scope, present an original point of view and include supporting documentation of its concepts and findings. In addition, students may opt to explore grant-writing opportunities or other extensive projects. Structured methods and formats such as quantitative and qualitative research, formal case studies and arts-based research will be discussed. Students will present their projects to peers and faculty. The department chair will oversee all projects.

ATG-6125

Thesis Project II

3 credits

Under the supervision of art therapy faculty members, students will continue to develop and write their thesis that will reflect a culmination of theoretical and clinical knowledge and experiences. All sections of the thesis will be discussed and reviewed in class, and work will be revised as needed based upon instructor feedback. Each project must be clinical in scope, present an original point of view and include supporting documentation of its concepts and findings. In addition, students may opt to explore grant-writing opportunities or other extensive projects. Structured methods and formats such as quantitative and qualitative research, formal case studies and arts-based research will be discussed. Students are required to present their thesis projects to peers and faculty. The department chair will oversee all projects.

ATG-6140

Clinical Topics in Trauma

3 credits

This course will explore psychological trauma and its broad range of causes and manifestations. Various traumatic experiences, such as medical trauma, will illustrate psychological, emotional and cognitive consequences, including post-traumatic stress disorder. Client age and etiology of trauma will be discussed in relation to art therapy applications. Representative cases will be presented with a focus on client engagement, therapeutic goals and clinical outcomes. Students will gain a fuller understanding of trauma and potential for art therapy in treatment.

ATG-6170

Internship/Supervision in the Studio III

3 credits

Adapting what was learned in the first-year supervision courses, students will further develop clinical art therapy skills and professional identity and address the impact socio-cultural-political issues have on client treatment. The ethical and legal standards of the American Art Therapy Association, Art Therapy Credentials Board, the New York State Education Department Office of Professions and related fields will be applied. Students take an active role in the peer group supervision process and at their internship. The course requirement is participation in at least 16 hours per week of onsite work. Affiliations with a wide variety of clinical institutions and community agencies in and around New York City expose students to current applications of art therapy as well as related disciplines. To guide their clinical training, each student intern collaborates with an onsite supervisor, a faculty supervisor and the internship coordinator.

ATG-6175

Internship/Supervision in the Studio IV

3 credits

Transitioning from student-in-training to professional art therapist, students will advance the development of their art therapist identity, clinical art therapy and advocacy skills. How to proactively navigate social systems on behalf of their clients and the field and negotiate post-graduate supervisory relationships will be examined. Students gain the capacity to autonomously apply the ethical and legal standards of the American Art Therapy Association, Art Therapy Credentials Board, the New York State Education Department Office of Professions as well as related disciplines. The course requirement is participation in at least 16 hours per week of onsite work. Affiliations with a wide variety of clinical institutions and community agencies in and around New York City expose students to current applications of art therapy and related disciplines. To guide their clinical training, each student intern collaborates with an onsite supervisor, a faculty supervisor and the internship coordinator.

ATG-6210

Art Assessment and Diagnosis

2 credits 

Art assessment and diagnostic materials will be explored through experiential sessions, didactic learning and casework. The fundamentals of art therapy assessment, statistical concepts (including reliability and validity) and familiarity with a variety of art therapy instruments and procedures used in appraisal and evaluation will be examined. Topics include: administration and documentation of art therapy assessment, formulation of treatment goals, basic concepts of testing and assessment, psychological and biopsychosocial assessment, statistical concepts including reliability and validity. Projective tests such as the Diagnostic Drawing Series (DDS), Levick Emotional and Cognitive Art Therapy Assessment (LECATA), Mandala Assessment Research Instrument (MARI), Silver Drawing Test of Cognition and Emotion, Ulman Personality Assessment Procedure (UPAP) and other psychometric instruments will be explored.

ATG-6270

Cultural and Social Issues in Art Therapy

3 credits

The effect of ethnicity and culture in the therapeutic process will be examined in this course through case material, slide illustrations, didactic and experiential sessions. We will explore cultural determinants of problems encountered in the field of art therapy, and the instructor will provide a foundation in cultural diversity theory and competency models that are applied to an understanding of artistic language, symbolism and meaning in artwork and art-making. Students will investigate the role of the art therapist in social justice, advocacy and conflict resolution, including theories of counseling and development of competencies essential for a responsive therapist with regard to age, gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity, nationality, socio-economic status, developmental disability and education, as well as family, religious and spiritual values. Cultural self-awareness through self-assessment and strategies for working with diverse communities regarding attitudes, beliefs and competent practice will be examined.

ATG-6490

Family Art Therapy

3 credits

Systems theory will provide the theoretical foundation for this course; family art therapy and strategic learning will be explored and experienced. To conceptualize the emotional phenomena within the family of origin offers practitioners the skills to maneuver in complex waters. When addiction, mental illness, physical disabilities and the effects of trauma exist within the system, every member is impacted with a life altering experience. To restore a functional adjustment and balance is the goal of the family art therapist. Research, genograms, case studies and literature will be part of the learning experience. 

ATG-6520

Community Access Through the Arts

2 credits

The professional role as an art therapist, with regard to function and relationship with other mental health providers, knowledge of professional organizations, credentialing and licensure will be covered. Students will learn how to create an in-service presentation, which will include didactic materials and client work, to appeal to various audiences. Alternatives to traditional methods of psychotherapeutic treatment will also be explored. Field visits to the Foundation Center, Materials for the Arts and museums will be included for observation and presentation purposes. Art therapy resources, grant writing, ethical and legal issues and the development of art therapy career counseling will be covered, plus skills considered essential in enabling individuals and organizations to positively affect career development and aptitude.

ATG-6857

Counseling Team

1 credit 

Select second-year students comprise a team that provides art therapy services to undergraduate and graduate SVA students from other programs. Students are chosen for the team through an application and interview process at the beginning of the second year. The team of students augments their clinical skills by independently facilitating weekly one-on-one and group sessions, and meets weekly for group supervision.

• Successful completion of 60 credits, including all required courses and the thesis project. Documentation of all thesis projects must be on file in the Art Therapy Department to be eligible for degree conferral. 
• A matriculation of two academic years. Students must complete their degree within four years, unless given an official extension by the provost. 
• Students are required to maintain a minimum grade point average of 3.0 (B) in order to remain in good academic standing.

FRAMEWORK

Overview:

SVA MPS Art Therapy’s practicum/internship program organizes onsite training around the practical hands-on experience necessary to negotiate the contemporary art therapy workplace. Through active onsite practice, student interns develop art therapy skills, manage administrative tasks, navigate institutional culture, and address clients’ lived experience, including interpersonal and systemic oppression. To individualize their clinical training, each student intern collaborates with their site supervisor, faculty supervisor, and internship coordinator.

Student interns participate in two different placements during their studies. Both placements align with a full academic year and require at least 16 hours per week onsite with half of those hours in direct client contact. Student interns gain exposure to current applications of art therapy and related disciplines through department affiliations with a wide variety of medical institutions and non-profits in and around New York City. This comprehensive framework equips graduates with art therapy experience applicable to a broad range of career opportunities.

The department is approved by and upholds the ethical guidelines, requirements, and legal standards of the American Art Therapy Association (AATA), the Art Therapy Credentials Board (ATCB), the New York State Education Department Office of Professions (NYSOP), and The Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP).

Practicum/Internship Opportunities

The internship coordinator develops practicum/internship opportunities by consistently assessing the contemporary art therapy field in NYC, student engagement, the socio-political- cultural climate, and multiple stakeholder evaluation processes. The internship coordinator establishes formal partnerships through professional networking, vetting sites, and organizing legal affiliation agreements.

The internship coordinator provides students with individualized support to secure a placement.

Students receive application opportunities based on several factors: 

• Their experience and capacities meet the site’s specific requirements
• The site meets SVA’s legal and accreditation requirements
• Supervisor and faculty recommendations

Due to this individualized process and the changeable nature of site partnerships:

• The department does not have a static list of placement options
• Students cannot seek placements independently
• Only opportunities with open application processes are shared with all students

Training Options

Students may choose to enroll in a two*, three, or four-year program. The two-year program requires completion of a practicum/internship in the first year and an internship in the second year. The three and four-year programs require completion of a practicum/internship in the second year and an internship in the third or fourth year. The department recommends that students with limited direct service experience or significant work/personal responsibilities consider the three or four-year program options.

*US Visa requirements limit international students to the two-year program.

STUDENT RESPONSIBILITIES

Demonstrating Readiness

Students are responsible for demonstrating a dependable work ethic and self-awareness regarding their capacities. Expectations include being open to engaging with people with diverse perspectives and trauma experiences, following safety protocols, commuting to underserved communities, and prioritizing site schedules over SVA’s academic calendar (i.e. holidays, breaks). At a minimum, students must meet the department’s Basic Direct Service Benchmarks.

Securing a Practicum/Internship

Students are responsible for securing a practicum/internship with support from the internship coordinator. Art therapy placements in NYC are competitive and can fill quickly. More options are available to students who engage in their search in a timely manner and to incoming students who pay their enrollment fee earlier in the spring semester. Students who delay their search and incoming students who pay their enrollment fee after the April 15 deadline may not be able to secure a placement for the upcoming academic year. 

Accepting a placement is a commitment to show up consistently, physically and emotionally, to provide client-centered care for the entire academic year. Training involves resolving conflicts and managing challenging circumstances with supervisory support. To maintain professional ethical practice standards, the department does not allow students to change placements unless the site no longer meets legal/accreditation requirements. The department strongly encourages students to participate in at least one hour a week of personal therapy as an ethical component of their training.

Clearance Requirements

Students are responsible for completing clearance requirements prior to starting their on-site training. After submitting paperwork, official clearance can take 6 weeks or, in some cases, longer to process. Start dates may be delayed due to site/city/state/federal processing. SVA has no control over these systems, which are part of professional practice in NYC. Students may not work directly with clients in any capacity if their clearance is denied or flagged. Any student who is unable to complete placement requirements may not participate in clinical training and, therefore, is not able to complete the program requirements needed for graduation. Students who choose to enroll in SVA MPS Art Therapy Department programming are solely responsible for and assume all risks related to satisfying all relevant requirements for clinical training.

In your second year of study, you’ll choose between two areas of specialization. Track selection informs the second year internship placement and is the focus of thesis work.

The Addictionology track explores neurobiology and its role in substance use and other addictive behaviors, the influence of attachment and trauma on capacities for self-regulation, and consequent reliance on chemical assistance and non-drug dependencies. If you choose this track, you’ll gain an understanding of the role of art therapy in promoting enhanced capacities for integration and communication among neural systems and networks, allowing for optimal self-regulation and overall functioning.

The Trauma track explores the nature and effects of interactions between the environment and physiology of the individual. The impacts of profound, event-related or shock trauma, as well as developmental, attachment-based, and strain trauma is examined throughout the life cycle. If you choose this track you’ll gain an understanding of the role of art therapy in promoting a sense of efficacy and mastery that offsets the learned helplessness acquired during traumatic experience, and reintroducing clients to experiences of pleasure and play in a safe and manageable way