University Certificate Arts Therapies and Wellbeing Foundation
| Program start date | Application deadline |
| 2024-09-29 | - |
| 2025-09-29 | - |
Program Overview
This University Certificate provides a comprehensive introduction to the practice of creative arts therapies. Exploring innovative approaches, it covers the therapeutic use of arts in various settings. The program structure includes lectures, tutorials, workshops, and experiential groups, taught by practicing arts therapists. The course supports students' journey towards becoming qualified practitioners and provides transferable skills for social inclusion and wellbeing.
Program Outline
Outline:
Program Content:
The University Certificate: Arts Therapies and Wellbeing Foundation course provides a comprehensive introduction to the practice of creative arts therapies. It explores innovative approaches in the therapeutic use of the arts in various settings, including healthcare and education.
Program Structure:
The course is delivered over 24 weeks, with Tuesday evening sessions from September to May and a series of one-day workshops on weekends. The one-day workshops offer a more immersive learning experience.
Individual Modules:
- Introduction to Arts Therapies Theories and Approaches (15 Credits): This module covers basic principles of psychological health, illness, and wellbeing, and their relationship to the arts. It also explores creativity, play, and social inclusion in art therapy.
- Art Therapy Studio Experiential Group (15 Credits): This module provides students with the opportunity to participate in an arts therapies and wellbeing group facilitated by a qualified arts therapist. It focuses on developing students' capacity to reflect on and work with ideas, emotions, and experiences arising from art-based media.
- Arts Therapies Workshops (15 Credits): This module involves intensive days where students participate in various arts therapies and wellbeing activities. It includes working with themes, drawing, group painting, and exploring other modalities of arts therapies.
Assessment:
- Introduction to Arts Therapies Theories and Approaches: Essay
- Art Therapy Studio Experiential Group: Reflective piece of writing
- Arts Therapies Workshops: Illustrated summary of journal coursework
Teaching:
Teaching Methods:
The course is taught through a combination of lectures, tutorials, workshops, and experiential group sessions.
Faculty:
The teaching team consists of practicing, registered arts therapists and visiting lecturers with experience in clinical settings and various age groups.
Unique Approaches:
The course emphasizes the development of students' creative identity and artistic practice. It also incorporates theoretical frameworks from psychology, neuroscience, and other disciplines to underpin students' work.
Careers:
Potential Career Paths:
The course provides an overview of the art therapy profession and supports students' journey towards becoming qualified practitioners. Many students progress to postgraduate qualifying Master's degrees in art therapies.
Other:
- The course is open to UK/EU students only.
- No previous art experience is required, but applicants should have a demonstrable interest in the therapeutic and social use of art.
- The course offers transferable skills and an enhanced understanding of the potential of the arts for social inclusion and wellbeing.
The course fees are £745 per 15 credit module. There are three modules delivered over two semesters. Tuition fees are charged annually. The fees quoted above are for the specified year(s) only. Fees may be higher in future years, for both new and continuing students. Please see the University’s
University of Hertfordshire
Entry Requirements:
No previous art experience is necessary. Applicants should be employed in relevant areas e.g. mental health, education or a demonstrable interest in the therapeutic and social use of art. Applicants are required to have NVQ qualification or above.
