About Art Therapy (ma) in Cork Institute of Technology

The programme aims to equip Art Therapy practitioners with a range of therapeutic skills and interventions to work with both individual and group clients in a range of health and community settings. It follows three strands of learning:

• Theoretical Studies - 25 CreditsThe theoretical foundation of art therapy is drawn from the history of art making, creativity and the psychotherapies. Models and approaches within the field of art therapy are discussed and debated within the framework of lecture and seminar series throughout the training. There is also an introduction to developmental psychology and psychiatry.
• Experiential Art Therapy Training - 20 Credits
  Students will be able to integrate theory and practice through participation in Experiential Workshops, a Training Group and Studio Practice. This gives a forum for engagement in the art therapy process, self-exploration and continuing personal development and creativity.
• Clinical Placement and Professional Studies - 45 Credits*
  Students are allocated clinical placements where they are encouraged to conceptualise their personal experiences and theoretical understanding in relationship to a variety of client groups.
  
  *Supervision of the clinical experience is central to the art therapy training and is provided in small groups on college days and individually on placement. Students are encouraged to experience a number of differing placement situations over the course of their training. Please note that students must have their placements in a new setting and not at their workplace.

Art therapists work in a wide variety of HSE and social care settings, including – adult and child psychiatry, education, palliative care, addiction services and community day centres. Many also work in private practice.

Professional Accreditation: On completion of the course graduates are eligible to register with the professional body Irish Association of Creative Arts Therapists (IACAT).

Further Studies: Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Academic qualification equivalents

• Bachelor's degree (Honours) holders with a minimal overall first division result
• First Class BSc Science/Arts/Commerce three year degree (for MA Global Business Practice/MSc International Business course)

English language requirements (one of the below):

• IELTS 6.5 overall (6.0 for Business programmes)
• IELTS 5.5 in all four components (listening, reading, speaking and writing)
• PTE 60 (63 for integrated programmes)
• PTE 55 in all four components (listening, reading, speaking and writing)