Pre-Art Therapy Certificate

Program Overview

The Pre-Art Therapy Certificate provides students with a comprehensive understanding of art therapy principles and practices, preparing them for graduate-level programs. Taught by a licensed psychologist and registered art therapist, the program offers unique coursework and internship opportunities not found elsewhere in the tri-state area. The certificate fulfills the prerequisites for most master's programs in art therapy, which is a career that integrates mental health and human services through creative art-making.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

The Pre-Art Therapy Certificate is a program designed to achieve two primary goals:

Teaching:

• Faculty: The program is taught by Meera Rastogi, PhD, MAAT, ATR, a licensed psychologist and registered art therapist.
• Unique Approaches: The University of Cincinnati is the only school in the tri-state area to offer a course and internship opportunities in pre-art therapy.
Students have the opportunity to learn from a registered art therapist and obtain hands-on experience.

Careers:

• Career Paths: A career in art therapy requires a master's degree.
The Pre-Art Therapy Certificate helps students meet the prerequisites for most master's programs in art therapy.
• Opportunities: Approved master's degree programs in art therapy are listed with the American Art Therapy Association.

Other:

• American Art Therapy Association (AATA): The AATA defines art therapy as an integrative mental health and human services profession that enriches the lives of individuals, families, and communities through active art-making, creative process, applied psychological theory, and human experience within a psychotherapeutic relationship.
• Benefits of Art Therapy: Art therapy is used to improve cognitive and sensorimotor functions, foster self-esteem and self-awareness, cultivate emotional resilience, promote insight, enhance social skills, reduce and resolve conflicts and distress, and advance societal and ecological change.