Health Sciences

School of Public Health

Art Therapy Program

Please visit our Art Therapy and Counselling Continuing Education Programs web site to find out what courses are available.

Graduate Diploma in Art Therapy and the
Master of Art Therapy

The Graduate Diploma of Art Therapy and the Master of Art Therapy , form an integrated specialised training program in the practice of art therapy that meets the training guidelines of the Australian and New Zealand Art Therapy Association (ANZATA).

The art therapy program at La Trobe is based on the belief that the process of creativity as expressed in visual art, is similar to the healing process necessary to effect change in self awareness, interpersonal relationships, coping and problem solving skills.

Integral to this aim is the achievement of the following:

• a clear theoretical understanding of the art therapy approaches and processes
• the development of attitudes and skills that advance the therapeutic process in art therapy
• an understanding of the ethical and practical issues in art therapy

Applicants need to be aware that experiential learning is an essential part of all units and be committed to personal growth and development.

Admission Requirements

Graduate Diploma in Art Therapy (Part 1 of the Master of Art Therapy)
This one-year course aims at providing first level art therapy training.

The Graduate Diploma in Art Therapy is based on principles of humanistic psychotherapy with an emphasis on the acquisition of art therapy counselling skills utilising a range of art therapy practises and techniques and may be articulated into the Masters of Art Therapy for those students who achieve a high B average or better. Eight units are taught all day Thursday and Monday evening per week throughout the academic year at the Bundoora Campus within the school of Public Health. We advise students that the Graduate Diploma in Art Therapy does not provide graduates with professional accreditation. This course may be articulated into the Masters of Art Therapy, which will then enable graduates to apply for professional recognition of the Australian and New Zealand Art Therapy Association.

Further information is available in the Postgraduate Art Therapy Prospective Student Guide

Master of Art Therapy
The Master of Art Therapy course is a specialised training program in the practice of art therapy. The first year of the course is the Graduate Diploma in Art Therapy (there is no direct entry into the Masters). The second year of the course includes two semesters of coursework and supervised art therapy placement experience and coursework undertaken at the university. Students are required to write a 10,000-word research project.

Entry into these programs requires an undergraduate degree in fine arts, art education, graphic design, counselling, social work, nursing and psychology.

Prospective students will need prior formal student training in the areas of abnormal psychology, psychopathology, human development, and counselling skills. They will also need formal study or training in an area of fine art such as drawing, painting, ceramics or sculpture. A minimum of one years counselling or counselling related work experience (volunteer or paid) is also required.
Selection criteria include a written application, submission of a portfolio that demonstrates skill and facility with visual art media, and an interview with art therapy staff.

Course Structure

Guide to Essay Writing in the Department of Counselling and Psychological Health.

Graduate Diploma in Art Therapy

The course consists of 120 credit points of study (8 units) in a one-year full-time program. It includes one semester of clinical placement with supervision.

Frequently Asked Questions for the Graduate Diploman in Art Therapy and the Master of Art Therapy

The art therapy clinical placement is an integral component of both the Graduate Diploma and Masters of Art Therapy years. Placement comprises practical experience in the field. This unit is offered to provide students with university-based art therapy supervision during their placement. Like all units the Placement course has formal objectives and assessment tasks. Art Therapy Placement Frequently Asked Questions.

Master of Art Therapy

The Master of Art Therapy course is a specialised training program in the practice of art therapy. The first year of the course the Graduate Diploma in Art Therapy (there is no direct entry into the Masters). The second year of the course includes two semesters of supervised art therapy placement experience and coursework undertaken at the university. Students are required to write a 10,000-word final project.

Application Process

For 2009 Masters of Art Therapy applications:
Please note that the closing date for first round Commonwealth Supported Places is 31 October 2008.

As a unique field within the wider clinical arena, art therapy requires that practitioners have training and skills in two different disciplines; art and therapy. Thus, there are several requirements needed by applicants. These requirements ensure that applicants have a solid foundation in basic counselling and in the visual arts.

Applicants are initially ranked on the basis of documented evidence of past performance and are then interviewed. All other things being equal, applicants with the best history of academic performance will take precedence in selection
The capacity to reflect on one's practice and personal development will enhance an applicant's chances of selection.

Stage One
The first stage of the application process includes a written application, submission of a slide/CD portfolio that demonstrates skill and facility with two or more visual art media, two letters of reference and documentation of previous studies.

Stage Two
The interview will be held only after the first stage of the application process has been completed. Applicants who successfully pass the first stage will be advised that they have been accepted to the interview stage with art therapy staff. Applicants are requested to bring 8 - 10 examples of their original art work to the interview

In the selection process of prospective students the staff are concerned particularly with the following questions:

• Does the applicant have prior and current experience in self expression through various visual art media?

• Does the applicant meet the education requirements in counselling (or related field) and in visual art?

• Does the applicant have prior and preferably recent or current experience in a counselling or closely related facilitative role?

• Does the applicant have a sincere interest in and commitment to work as an art therapist, the specific training that this course provides?

• Will the applicant be able to meet the academic demands of this course?

• Does the applicant have personal qualities appropriate for training in this specialised field of art therapy?

Contact Details

Course Coordinator

Ms Hannah Menahemi
Ph: 03 9479 5490
Email: h.menahemi@latrobe.edu.au

Administration

Postgraduate Office
Ph: 03 9479 1750
Email: phe.postgrad@latrobe.edu.au