Art Education · Visual Communication Design (with a track in Illustration)
Digital Media Design · Art Therapy
Master of Arts
The Master of Arts in Art Therapy and Counseling is a 60-credit hour degree program that consists of 51-credit hours of coursework, 3-credit hours of supervised practicum, and 6-credit hours of supervised clinical internship. Each Fall students will participate in a 3-day virtual residency. All Spring and Summer classes will be completed 100% online through synchronous zoom evening classes. This allows working professionals to further their education and professional development. This program provides the education for graduates to pursue professional certifications such as art therapist registered (ATR) and art therapist board certified (ATR-BC) with the American Art Therapy Association (AATA), certification as a Registered Expressive Arts Therapist (REAT) with the International Expressive Arts Therapy Association (IEATA), and State licensure as a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in West Virginia and other states. Post-graduate supervision hours and successfully passing exams are required for professional certification and licensure.
60 credit hour graduate degree program with 3-day virtual residency and online synchronous zoom classroom. Classes are scheduled in the evenings.
If all requirements are met, students can graduate in 2 1/2 years.
Students can slow down at any time. Any classes missed can be taken the next time they are offered. This will affect graduation timeline, but it’s not a race and students should work at their own pace.
Course load includes 9-credit hours of Fall, Spring, and Summer courses.
Not ready for graduate studies: The 3 + 2 Bridge Program helps students to transition from undergraduate to graduate studies.
18-credit hours for students with a master’s degree to enhance their knowledge about the use of art to facilitate self-reflection, promote healing, and improve health and wellness. It does NOT provide qualifications as an art therapist. Art Therapy is a regulated mental health field that requires specific education and supervised internships (see https://www.atcb.org/) for details.
30-credit hours ATR-Track + 6-credit hours Art Therapy Internship for students interested in certification as an Art Therapist and have a masters degree in a mental health profession (e.g., counseling, psychology, social work, etc.). Includes supervised Internships.
Courses are taken as they are offered in the graduate program.
The graduate ATC program meets the educational requirements for credentials as an Art Therapist. The ATR credentials are National. Currently West Virginia does not have an Art Therapy licensure and students practice under Counseling licensure. Click here for information about Art Therapy credentials and States that have Art Therapy licensure.
The graduate ATC program meets the educational requirements for licensure as a counselor in West Virginia. Counseling licensure requirements vary by State. Click here to find your State Counseling requirements.
Post-graduate supervision hours and successfully passing exams are required for professional credentials and licensure.
For Tuition Fees and Financial Aid Cost of Attendance, click the link below or visit the Business Office website
The U.S. Department of Education requires colleges to disclose specific information to students in a certificate program. This is called a Gainful Employment Disclosure.
Employment of substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors is projected to grow 25% from 2019 to 2029, much faster than the average for all occupations. Employment growth is expected as people continue to seek addiction and mental health counseling services.
Dr. Susan Ridley
MA ATC Program Director
College Hall
susan.ridley@westliberty.edu
Make a gift to the Graduate Studies Program by clicking here!
West Liberty University
College of Liberal and Creative Arts
College Union, 2nd floor
208 University Dr.
West Liberty, WV 26074
304.336.8251