M.A. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling with Art Therapy Specialization
The Master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling degree with art therapy specialization is a uniquely designed 63-credit program that prepares you for a career as a clinical mental health counselor with specialization in art therapy in a variety of human service settings.
The program is accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Program (CACREP) and the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP). The degree fulfills coursework requirements for licensure in New Jersey as a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC). The Master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling degree with art therapy specialization also fulfills coursework requirements for New Jersey State licensure as a Professional Art Therapist (LPAT).
Graduate coursework is a combination of didactic and experiential teaching methods in cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavior and professional dispositions) learning domains. The program requires that students complete coursework, practicum, and internship experiences, and pass a comprehensive examination.
Counseling Art Therapy | Community Treatment Services
The Mary Jo Rolli Codey ’77 Counseling Art Therapy Community Treatment Center
on the Caldwell University campus provides counseling with art and “talk-based” therapy services to adults in our local community while serving as a training facility for our academic programs. Members of the local community can access art-based treatment intervention for personal growth or for mental health conditions in group and individual formats. Services to the local community are provided by credentialed counselors with art therapy specializations and advanced master’s students under the supervision of program faculty.
A central component of Caldwell University’s counseling programs is the integration of spirituality throughout their coursework. In this context, students are prepared to competently consider the many aspects of the lives of their future clients.
ACADEMIC OPTIONS
M.A. in Counseling
- Clinical Mental Health Counseling Specialization
- Clinical Mental Health Counseling Art Therapy Specialization
- School Counseling Specialization
Combined B.A. in Psychology/M.A. in Counseling
Post-Graduate M.A. in Art Therapy
Post-Master Director of School Counseling
Post-Master Professional Counselor Licensing Credits
Post-Master School Counseling Specialization
ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
Note – Admission to the M.A. in Counseling with Clinical Mental Health Counseling Specialization with Art Therapy Specialization are::
April 1 – Summer; June 1 – Fall; December 1 – Spring Semesters
- A completed application (on paper or online)
- A minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.2
- 15 credits in Psychology including Psychological Statistics, Experimental Psychology, Psychopathology, Human Development and either General Psychology OR Personality Theory with at least a B in each
- 18 credits in studio art including drawing, painting, and three-dimensional work with at least a B in each
- Official undergraduate/graduate transcripts
- Writing sample: Submission of a paper of 5-10 pages that was previously submitted in an undergraduate psychology or art therapy course formatted in APA style.
- Art portfolio of 10-15 pieces, slides, or digital copies evidencing proficiency in drawing, painting, three-dimensional work as well as a range of media
- Two letters of recommendation, preferably from former professors or current employer
- Personal and group interviews required
M.A. IN COUNSELING WITH MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELING ART THERAPY SPECIALIZATION – CACREP-ACCREDITED; CAAHEP-ACCREDITED
The Master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling degree with art therapy specialization is a uniquely designed 63-credit program that prepares you for a career as a clinical mental health Counselor with specialization in art therapy in a variety of human service settings.
The Master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling degree is accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Program (CACREP) and the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP). The degree fulfills coursework requirements for licensure in New Jersey as a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) and integrates the CACREP Standards for Clinical Mental Health Counselors. The Master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling degree with art therapy specialization also fulfills coursework requirements for registration as an art therapist (ATR) with the Art Therapy Credentials Board (ATCB) and licensure as a Professional Art Therapist (LPAT) in NJ.
Graduate coursework is a combination of didactic and experiential teaching methods in cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavior and professional dispositions) learning domains. The program requires that students complete coursework, practicum and internship experiences, and pass a written and oral comprehensive examination.
CU Student Gallery
Program Mission
This programs seeks to prepare competent entry-level Clinical Mental Health Counselor with Art Therapy specialization in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavior) learning domains, attending to the sustainment of the program guided by the CACREP and CAAHEP standards. Students participate in an active, inclusive learning environment where they foster meaning through the process of self-reflection, become scholar-practitioners, and generate new knowledge and methods. Students mature and develop competencies leading them through the transition from graduate student to a professional prepared to offer healing opportunities to members of society.
Program Objectives
The art therapy counseling programs operationalize its mission through the program goals and objectives. The broad program goals are to attain and develop:
- Sustainability plans for the learning community
- Community Service opportunities through active involvement of faculty, students and constituents in co-curricular activities;
- Curricula Emphasizing Competency in Knowledge, Skills, and Awareness from Professional Core Content Areas and Learning Domains by developing benchmarks, remediation plans, curricula, signature assignments, comprehensive exam, and measures for professional dispositions;
- Support for students to make the transition from Student to Professional
Where do Art Therapists Work?
– Medical and Psychiatric Hospitals and Centers
– Mental Health Clinics
– Day Treatment Facilities
– Eating Disorder Settings
– Residential Treatment Centers
– Rehabilitation Centers
– Schools and Preschools
– Child Life Departments
Graduate Psychology and Counseling Programs
Dr. Annette Vaccaro
Interim Program Coordinator
avaccaro@caldwell.edu
The Master’s degree in Counseling with Art Therapy Specialization Program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (www.caahep.org) upon the recommendation of ACATE, The Accreditation Council for Art Therapy Education.
Caldwell University has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 4598. CE Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. Caldwell University is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs.
