By selecting the undergraduate art therapy major at Cedar Crest College, you will be introduced to a studio-based program. It is designed for those who wish to explore their talents in a studio concentration (Drawing, Painting, Sculpture, Papermaking, Printmaking, and Book Arts) we see you making a difference in the lives of others and communities.
Our studio-based program, taught by registered and board-certified art therapists along with practicing studio artists, is aligned with the curriculum guidelines of the American Art Therapy Association and will fully prepare you to pursue a graduate degree in art therapy. A Master’s degree in art therapy is a minimum requirement to practice art therapy. Your Bachelor’s degree will also prepare you to work in an array of fields.
Program Highlights
Curriculum that aligns with the guidelines of the American Art Therapy Association.
Real-world experience: students have the opportunity to observe and serve as art mentors with a variety of populations through existing community partnerships in the Lehigh Valley
Credentialed faculty members who are experts in their field.
Art studio facilities in book arts, ceramics, illustration, painting, papermaking, printed images, and sculpture.
Flexible scheduling includes accelerated seven-week, online, hybrid, evening/weekend, and daytime courses.
As an art therapy major at Cedar Crest, you will have access to several inspirational customized studio spaces, which include indoor and outdoor kilns, models, still life stands, a wood shop, and studios dedicated to sculpture, printmaking, and papermaking. In addition to developing your talents in multiple studio areas, you will be introduced to coursework in psychology, taught by psychology faculty members who hold doctoral degrees in their areas of expertise.
With our own Master of Art in Art Therapy program, Cedar Crest undergrads can move into our master’s program.
In support of the continuing advancement of the art therapy major, full faculty portfolio reviews are held each semester. Students present a portfolio of current work reflecting their studio concentration and other studio investigations created in Cedar Crest College studio courses. The purpose of the portfolio review is to provide the student with feedback on the progress of their work, determine candidacy in the art program as well as to serve as an assessment tool for the Art Department. Successful completion of two portfolio reviews is required for graduation. Based on a point system, grades are administered for each review. Students must achieve a C or higher to maintain candidacy in the program. This grade is not calculated into the overall GPA. Art majors must schedule portfolio reviews in the spring of sophomore year or fall of junior year and fall of senior year.
College Wide Requirements
Students fulfill the embedded requirements for the Art Therapy Major as follows:
Oral Presentation requirement is met by the satisfactory completion ART 103, 303, 403, 404 and portfolio reviews
Technology requirement is met by the satisfactory completion of ART 238 Elements of Design or COM 107 Digital Imaging with Photoshop.
Information Literacy requirement is met by the satisfactory completion of the art history requirements (ART 105, ART 106) and Art Therapy courses (ART 103, 303, 403, 404)
All other college-wide requirements can be satisfied by the student’s choice with the final approval of the Registrar’s office through a graduation audit. Courses are identified in the catalog with their college-wide designations. In regard to the ML requirement the Art department recommends Math 102.
Student Learning Outcomes for the Art Therapy Major
Examine art therapy theory and practice to provide historical and contemporary context for the understanding of the profession.
Demonstrate civic awareness and outreach through art-based practicum and community art projects.
Develop creative and academic language related to studio applications that support competency in two-dimensional (2D) and three dimensional (3D) visual language.
Build confidence that builds innovative leaders by developing creative problem-solving, independent thinking and compassionate interaction with community residents.
Identify psychological theories as integral components to the field of art therapy.
Departmental Review for Field/Practicum Placement
Students majoring in Art Therapy are required to complete a field practicum or clinical experience similar to other health professions. Because this requirement necessitates working with vulnerable populations in a community setting, it is important that the student has advanced interpersonal skills, appropriate judgment, and professional demeanor. Prior to practicum, students will formulate learning and personal growth goals to help guide their experience.
Foundations: 12 credits
ART 101 Drawing ART 110 Principles of Visual Organization ART 105 Art History I (Fall, Winter or Summer 1) ART 106 Art History II (Spring or Summer 2)
Technology: (choose one) 3 credits
ART 238 Elements of Design COM 107 Photoshop COM 108 Illustrator
Introductory Studios: four studio electives (choose at least one 2D and one 3D) 12 credits
2D courses ART 111 Printed Image ART 113 Illustration ART 123 Painting ART 124 Papermaking 3D courses ART 127 Sculpture ART 131 Ceramics ART 139 Book Arts
ART 211 Printed Image ART 227 Sculpture ART 223 Painting ART 231 Ceramics ART 224 Papermaking ART 239 Book Art ART 250 Studio Concepts 2D Art Therapy Courses: 10 credits ART 103 Introduction to Art Therapy
SPS 171 Understanding and Using APA Editorial Style (Fall I, 7-week hybrid) (1 credit) ART 303 Applications in Art Therapy (fall semester senior year)
ART 403 Art Therapy Practicum (spring semester of senior year)
Psychology Courses: 12 credits
PSY 100 Introduction to Psychology PSY 210 Life Span PSY 309 Psychopathology (Formerly “Abnormal Psychology”)” Psychology elective
TOTAL CREDITS: 52 credits
The Art Department highly recommends upper-level studio courses as general electives to supplement your portfolio for entrance into a Master’s program. The department also recommends the following Art History, Psychology, Sociology and English
ART 200 Modern Art: 1800-1945 (fall) ART 201 Contemporary Art: 1945-present (spring) ART 204 C.R.E.A.T.E. ART 215 Selected Movements in Art ART 220 Women Artists (spring) ART 221 Exploring Art Across Disciplines PSY 227 Principles of Helping Relationships PSY 230 Team Building and Group Dynamics PSY 315 Child Counseling PSY 316 Systems of Psychotherapy ENG 234 Creative Writing: Poetry SOC 100 Introduction to Culture and Society SOC 313 Minorities and Human Relations SOC 321 The Family as a Social Institution
I chose Cedar Crest College because of their values, small classes, and variety of majors. I loved the campus and the staff. The teachers are caring and supportive towards us as students. I’ve received a lot of encouragement and kind words from my professors, which has allowed me to grow professionally. The students here are very accepting and supportive as well. I’ve felt nothing but support from them.
Diana Samoylova ’28
Art Therapy Mission Statement
The art therapy major at Cedar Crest College provides a supportive and inclusive classroom environment that fosters respect for each person and empowerment of the individual through relationship building, leadership development, civic engagement, global connectivity, and health and wellness initiatives. Coursework inspires social awareness, and community advocacy, and prepares students to be compassionate leaders using the healing potential of the arts.
If you are looking for a fun and educational camp for your child this summer, Cedar Crest College has you covered! Our hands-on STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art, & mathematics) camp offers three distinctive sessions: Electrical Tinkers, Coding Galore, and…
