A series of birds made out of paper mache.

Teresa Yu, "Birds of Connection," 2019, wire, paper mache, and acrylic paint.

Art Therapy and Counseling

Undergraduate Overview

Art Therapy & Counseling Undergraduate Overview

The School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC) offers several undergraduate courses for students interested in exploring art therapy as a future profession or considering how the approaches and philosophies of the field can inform their artistic development.

While SAIC does not offer a formal undergraduate major in Art Therapy, bachelor of fine arts (BFA) students can combine practical SAIC Internships with psychology classes from the Liberal Arts department and studio coursework as preparation for a graduate education in Art Therapy.

The profession of art therapy requires a master's degree. To learn about the SAIC Master of Arts in Art Therapy and Counseling program, please download the Master of Arts in Art Therapy and Counseling Program Guide [PDF] for detailed information. Undergraduate students interested in eventually applying to graduate art therapy programs in the United States should take the required prerequisite minimums: 12 semester credits in psychology courses, including abnormal psychology and developmental psychology, and 18 semester credits in studio art courses.

Art Therapy and Counseling Department Undergraduate Learning Goals:

  • Understand the core concerns of the field of art therapy and perspectives from related fields
  • Understand how the ideas and practices in the field of art therapy relate to contemporary theories of art and psychotherapy
  • Critically question medical, mental health, care, and wellness discourses in the profession of art therapy and other related clinical or therapeutic professions.
  • Critically explore therapeutic thinking in art disciplines through methods of creative practice and research


The undergraduate courses in the Art Therapy and Counseling Department focus on the following subject areas. 

  • Becoming an Art Therapist 
  • Community Practice
  • Critical Cultural Studies
  • Disability and Mad Studies
  • Materials and Media 

Course Listing

Title Catalog Instructor Schedule

Description

This is an entry-level experiential class which explores and implements concepts from art therapy and related fields. The course presents a blend of approaches including Eastern traditions, Jungian psychology, and other sources. Studio work and writing will be used as tools to understand and cultivate the discipline of self-awareness. The class will be structured as a community of participants engaging in and studying the phenomenon of the creative process. Each class meeting will involve art making and writing as well as discussion of ideas based on readings and experiences. This course is for anyone wanting to explore the relationship between art and life, self, other, and community in experiential and theoretical ways within an art therapy framework. It will be of value to those considering working with others using art, such as teachers or art therapists, as well as for those who may wish to establish art and/or writing as a form of practice and discipline in their lives. Open to all students.

Class Number

1131

Credits

3

Department

Art Therapy

Area of Study

Community & Social Engagement

Location

Sharp 402

Description

This is an entry-level experiential class which explores and implements concepts from art therapy and related fields. The course presents a blend of approaches including Eastern traditions, Jungian psychology, and other sources. Studio work and writing will be used as tools to understand and cultivate the discipline of self-awareness. The class will be structured as a community of participants engaging in and studying the phenomenon of the creative process. Each class meeting will involve art making and writing as well as discussion of ideas based on readings and experiences. This course is for anyone wanting to explore the relationship between art and life, self, other, and community in experiential and theoretical ways within an art therapy framework. It will be of value to those considering working with others using art, such as teachers or art therapists, as well as for those who may wish to establish art and/or writing as a form of practice and discipline in their lives. Open to all students.

Class Number

1132

Credits

3

Department

Art Therapy

Area of Study

Community & Social Engagement

Location

Sharp 404

Description

This course explores nonviolence through the nexus of contemplative reflection and people powered direct action. Research includes identifying personal, local and global exemplars of creative nonviolence through arts based inquiry. The history of nonviolence, the role of arts in nonviolent movements, mindfulness practices and nonviolent communication are foundations for the culminating project of the class. Students will engage in shared collaboration of artistic practices with an existing social action group in exploring love and protection or Gandhi?s soul force or Satyagraha.

Prerequisites

Prerequisite: Must have completed one Art Therapy, Art Ed or Artsad class prior to enrolling.

Class Number

1135

Credits

3

Department

Art Therapy

Area of Study

Politics and Activisms, Collaboration, Interaction and Participation

Location

Sharp 404

Description

This interdisciplinary course considers the topic of craft practices and the therapeutic through the lens of feminist pedagogy, including theories of touch and interembodiment. Students will examine the critical role craft and the domestic arts have played in raising questions surrounding feminism, gender, and labor practices in everyday histories. The course examines local and international projects centering on memory, trauma and collaboration. The class will explore the ethics of community collaborations and how the practice of making can cultivate a sense of community, well-being, and social capital.

Class Number

1134

Credits

3

Department

Art Therapy

Area of Study

Community & Social Engagement, Gender and Sexuality

Location

Sharp 404

Description

This course explores narratives of illness, stigma, and marginalization told through comics and graphic novels. Students engage in reading, discussing, and making comics dealing with topics of physical and psychiatric illness, caregiving, and recovery. The current 'graphic medicine' movement, applications of comics in art therapy, and graphic novels and comics dealing with narratives of illness outside of a therapeutic or medical context are discussed and used as inspiration to generate content for student projects.

Class Number

1133

Credits

3

Department

Art Therapy

Area of Study

Gender and Sexuality, Comics and Graphic Novels, Books and Publishing

Location

Sharp 403

Description

This course presents the central concepts of contemporary mental health diagnosis (DSM-IV). Emphasis is placed on etiology, terminology, and symptom profiles. This material provides art therapy students with a conceptual foundation shared by a variety of medical and mental health practitioners.

Prerequisites

You must be a Masters of Art in Art Therapy student or have instructor consent to take this class.

Class Number

1904

Credits

3

Department

Art Therapy

Location

Lakeview - 1428

Description

In this course the student will explore the theories, principles, methods, and techniques used for conducting research in art therapy. Various models of qualitative and quantitative research from art therapy and related fields will be presented and discussed.

Prerequisites

You must be a Masters of Art in Art Therapy student or have instructor consent to take this class.

Class Number

2049

Credits

3

Department

Art Therapy

Location

MacLean 919

Description

This course provides students with a basic understanding of group dynamics and its application for a variety of therapeutic goals using art. Students are involved in an experience of group interaction. Lectures and discussions focus on readings from the literature of both art and verbal group therapy. Audio-visual material of groups in action are presented. Issues explored include: techniques and training in group leadership; setting group norms; issues around processing art; dealing with conflict; stages of group development; and application with varied settings, cultures, and populations.

Prerequisites

You must be a Masters of Art in Art Therapy student or have instructor consent to take this class.

Class Number

2046

Credits

3

Department

Art Therapy

Location

Sharp 706

Description

This course provides students with a basic understanding of group dynamics and its application for a variety of therapeutic goals using art. Students are involved in an experience of group interaction. Lectures and discussions focus on readings from the literature of both art and verbal group therapy. Audio-visual material of groups in action are presented. Issues explored include: techniques and training in group leadership; setting group norms; issues around processing art; dealing with conflict; stages of group development; and application with varied settings, cultures, and populations.

Prerequisites

You must be a Masters of Art in Art Therapy student or have instructor consent to take this class.

Class Number

2047

Credits

3

Department

Art Therapy

Location

Sharp 403

Description

This multi-level course draws from arts and counseling perspectives to critically examine helping relationships, community care work, socially engaged art practice, cultural curation, and research through service learning. Students will learn various models of collaboration with community members and an interdisciplinary team of mental health practitioners, artists, designers, organizers, educators, scholars and researchers. In addition to weekly classroom lectures and discussions, students are expected to participate in community engagement outside of regular scheduled classes. Regular off campus meetings, planning, and experiential research are required.

Class Number

1903

Credits

3

Department

Art Therapy

Area of Study

Class, Race, Ethnicity, Economic Inequality & Class, Community & Social Engagement

Location

Sharp 404

Description

This multi-level course draws from arts and counseling perspectives to critically examine helping relationships, community care work, socially engaged art practice, cultural curation, and research through service learning. Students will learn various models of collaboration with community members and an interdisciplinary team of mental health practitioners, artists, designers, organizers, educators, scholars and researchers. In addition to weekly classroom lectures and discussions, students are expected to participate in community engagement outside of regular scheduled classes. Regular off campus meetings, planning, and experiential research are required.

Class Number

2339

Credits

3

Department

Art Therapy

Area of Study

Class, Race, Ethnicity, Economic Inequality & Class, Community & Social Engagement

Location

Sharp 403

Description

This course provides group supervision to support the internship component of the Master of Arts in Art Therapy and Counseling program. Internship students participate in a minimum of one hour of weekly individual supervision with a qualified fieldwork site supervisor in addition to 1.5 hours of weekly group supervision with a faculty supervisor per the MAATC fieldwork supervision agreement. Over the course of the semester, students complete 250 service hours which must include approximately 100 hours of direct service with clients and contribute to the development of basic to intermediate skills for a specialized area of art therapy and counseling practice. This professional practice course builds on the skills acquired in the practicum experience. Students must demonstrate an applied understanding of assessment, treatment approaches, and the therapeutic relationship in art therapy and counseling. Students also become familiar with a variety of professional activities including referral sources, case review, record keeping, preparation, staff meetings, and other administrative functions. Prerequisite: ARTTHER 5020 ¿ Art Therapy Fieldwork I

Prerequisites

Prerequisite: ARTTHER 5020.

Class Number

1893

Credits

1.5

Department

Art Therapy

Location

Sharp 402

Description

This course provides group supervision to support the internship component of the Master of Arts in Art Therapy and Counseling program. Internship students participate in a minimum of one hour of weekly individual supervision with a qualified fieldwork site supervisor in addition to 1.5 hours of weekly group supervision with a faculty supervisor per the MAATC fieldwork supervision agreement. Over the course of the semester, students complete 250 service hours which must include approximately 100 hours of direct service with clients and contribute to the development of basic to intermediate skills for a specialized area of art therapy and counseling practice. This professional practice course builds on the skills acquired in the practicum experience. Students must demonstrate an applied understanding of assessment, treatment approaches, and the therapeutic relationship in art therapy and counseling. Students also become familiar with a variety of professional activities including referral sources, case review, record keeping, preparation, staff meetings, and other administrative functions. Prerequisite: ARTTHER 5020 ¿ Art Therapy Fieldwork I

Prerequisites

Prerequisite: ARTTHER 5020.

Class Number

1892

Credits

1.5

Department

Art Therapy

Location

Sharp 404

Description

This course is a follow-up to Ethics in Art Therapy I, with a focus on deepening the clinical understanding and application of legal and ethical standards of practice in art therapy and counseling. The application of these principles in art therapy settings forms the basis for discussion. ARTTHER 6001/6003 Co Req, students must enroll in the same section.

Prerequisites

You must be a Masters of Art in Art Therapy student or have instructor consent to take this class.

Class Number

1896

Credits

1.5

Department

Art Therapy

Location

Sharp 402

Description

This course is a follow-up to Ethics in Art Therapy I, with a focus on deepening the clinical understanding and application of legal and ethical standards of practice in art therapy and counseling. The application of these principles in art therapy settings forms the basis for discussion. ARTTHER 6001/6003 Co Req, students must enroll in the same section.

Prerequisites

You must be a Masters of Art in Art Therapy student or have instructor consent to take this class.

Class Number

1895

Credits

1.5

Department

Art Therapy

Location

Sharp 404

Description

This course engages the student in examining career development from both personal and professional perspectives. Readings, lectures, discussions, and experiential learning address the theory and methods of career counseling, including educational and career histories; evaluation of occupational interests and aptitudes; and the development of skills for gaining and maintaining employment.

Prerequisites

You must be a Masters of Art in Art Therapy student or have instructor consent to take this class.

Class Number

1897

Credits

3

Department

Art Therapy

Location

Sharp 404

Description

This course engages the student in examining career development from both personal and professional perspectives. Readings, lectures, discussions, and experiential learning address the theory and methods of career counseling, including educational and career histories; evaluation of occupational interests and aptitudes; and the development of skills for gaining and maintaining employment.

Prerequisites

You must be a Masters of Art in Art Therapy student or have instructor consent to take this class.

Class Number

1898

Credits

3

Department

Art Therapy

Location

Sharp 402

Description

This course begins with an examination of normative substance use and an exploration of cultural and therapeutic conceptualizations and attitudes toward substance use. This course presents information on the epidemiology and etiology of substance use and reviews the impacts of substance use disorders on physical, psychological, social, and vocational functioning. The various categories of substances will be discussed along with fundamental assessment methods and art therapy intervention skills for work with people who use drugs.

Prerequisites

You must be a Masters of Art in Art Therapy student or have instructor consent to take this class.

Class Number

2044

Credits

3

Department

Art Therapy

Location

Sharp 403

Description

This course is focused on the development of cultural competency in the art therapist. Aspects of culture including gender, race, ethnicity, class, religion, sexual orientation, and disability are addressed as they relate to the socio-cultural context of the therapy relationship.

Prerequisites

You must be a Masters of Art in Art Therapy student or have instructor consent to take this class.

Class Number

1890

Credits

3

Department

Art Therapy

Location

Sharp 403

Description

This course continues the thesis writing process in which the final components of the body of the paper, discussion, and conclusion are created. Preparing, planning, and producing the thesis provides a point of view and documentation of original ideas in art therapy. Students can utilize a variety of descriptive approaches in writing their theses (e.g. narrative, case study, traditional research, ethnographic). In addition to finishing the thesis in written form, each student is required to do a formal presentation of their thesis material. There are creative opportunities for traditional and nontraditional forms of presentation. Both visual and written material may be included in this thesis, which is supervised by an adviser from the art therapy faculty.

Prerequisites

Prerequisite: ARTTHER 6010

Class Number

2349

Credits

3

Department

Art Therapy

Location

Sharp 404

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