Caldwell University
Caldwell University is a private, accredited Catholic university in Caldwell, NJ offering bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees and a vibrant campus life complete with rewarding activities, clubs, and service opportunities.
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Post-Graduate MA in Art Therapy
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This program is intended for professionals who already hold an M.A. in Counseling or a closely related field and who are interested in pursuing a career in art therapy. Graduate art therapy courses fulfill the educational requirements for registration as an Art Therapist through the American Art Therapy Association and licensure as a Professional Art Therapist (LPAT) in New Jersey. The degree also meets educational requirements for national credentials (Art Therapist ATR-P) and may fulfill licensure requirements in other States.
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
The Mary Jo Rolli Codey Center is located on the Caldwell University campus. The center provides mental health counseling with art therapy specialization services to adults in our local community while serving as a training facility for our academic programs. Members of the local community can access treatment 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.
This program is intended for professionals who already hold an M.A. in Counseling or a closely related field and who are interested in pursuing a career or training in art therapy. Graduate art therapy courses fulfill the educational requirements for registration (ATR) as an Art Therapist through the Art Therapy Credentials Board and licensure as a Professional Art Therapist (LPAT) in New Jersey. Graduates will likely need additional post-graduation supervised clinical work hours in art therapy and a passing score on the ATCB's ATCBE exam to qualify for credentials in the field of art therapy in most jurisdictions or for national recognition. Applicants should consult the licensing laws and regulations about what is required in their jurisdiction.
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, internship experiences, and pass a comprehensive examination.
ACADEMIC OPTIONS
- Clinical Mental Health Counseling Specialization
- Clinical Mental Health Counseling with Art Therapy Concentration
- 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
Statement of Outcomes Assessment
Courses
Student and Alumna Online Art Gallery
The programs have two on-campus galleries. One is in the Codey Center (Old Student Center, behind the gym) and in the Student Lounge of the School of Nursing and Health Services.
Art Therapy Counseling Program Mission
The art therapy counseling programs seek to prepare competent entry-level Clinical Mental Health Counselor/Art Therapists 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.
Job Placement Rate is based on the responses from 68% of the 2024-25 graduates.
Job Placement Rate is based on the responses from 61% of the 2023-24 graduates.
Job Placement Rate is based on the responses from 23% of the 2022-23 graduates.
Program Evaluation Plan (PEP)
Comprehensive Exam
The academic capstone of the program is a two-part comprehensive exam in the form of a case study. This will be completed during the student’s art therapy practicum experience (CAT 601). A written and oral case study is created based on work from the practicum site with an actual client; the case is reviewed by a committee of two art therapy faculty members. Students will be expected to demonstrate competency in fundamental principles of art therapy practice.
Where do Graduates 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
Transfer Of Graduate Credit
Caldwell University may accept the transfer of six credits of graduate work in counseling, art therapy, or a closely related field, provided the credits were completed within five years of the student’s graduate registration at Caldwell University. Official transcripts of previous graduate work, as well as the catalog description of each course, must be submitted for review at the time of application. Each request for transfer credit will be reviewed by the Program Coordinators. Approval of transfer credit is based on course content and grade earned in the course.
The Post Master’s degree in 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.
Information on Professional Licensure
