MPS Art Therapy
About the Department
SVA’s Master of Professional Studies in Art Therapy is an immersive two-year, 60-credit program that prepares students to become licensed art therapists. The program integrates the experiential components of art therapy within a comprehensive framework of academic theory and clinical application via an internship program and art practice. Students learn to adapt the creative process to the specific therapeutic needs of the individual, population, and setting, with a consideration of how systems of theoretical and social constructs impact treatment. SVA believes in active engagement with the community at large, which allows for the utilization of the diverse, innovative, and creative atmosphere of NYC and beyond to enhance training.
The MPS Art Therapy Program developed from a single undergraduate course in collaboration with the Bronx Psychiatric Center in New York City over three decades ago. The undergraduate certificate program, guided by its founder, Estelle Bellomo, expanded and developed affiliations in a variety of settings and gained a reputation for excellence in both academic and clinical training. Subsequent changes in the field of art therapy made a master’s degree program the natural progression, which was initiated in 2001.
Why We Stand Out:
Integrated experiential learning within a comprehensive framework of academic theory, clinical application via an internship program and art practice
A robust program of lectures, conferences, workshops, exhibitions and special projects, as well as opportunities for international study and studio time
The opportunity to study with a diverse group of students as far as age, cultural background and work experience
Flexibility and financial support including part-time options and scholarship opportunities
Program Goals and Objectives
The MPS Art Therapy program prepares competent entry-level Art Therapists in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavior) learning domains. Students will:
- Obtain an understanding of the complex relationship among cognition, emotion and behavior and analogize these areas to art therapy diagnosis and treatment.
- Cultivate the capacity for productive self-reflection, empathy, critical thinking, examination of personal assumptions and biases, and insight to enhance clinical practice.
- Develop a distinctive approach to art therapy practice based on the client’s needs while taking into account the student’s individual talents and working style.
- Demonstrate artistic growth through realized handling of materials, process and product as they relate to art therapy practice.
- Develop an active leadership role, learning to advocate and collaborate in a professional setting.
- Gain a thorough understanding of professional practices within the field, i.e., ethical/legal standards, research, career strategies, and expectations.
Accreditation and Licensure
The MPS Art Therapy program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (www.caahep.org ) upon the recommendation of the Accreditation Council for Art Therapy Education.
Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs
25400 US Hwy 19N, Suite 158
Clearwater, FL 33763
(727) 210-2350
The program meets all educational requirements for licensure in New York State as a Creative Arts Therapist (LCAT) and Registered Art Therapist (ATR) with the Art Therapy Credentials Board (ATCB).
Employment and Retention Data
| Positive Placement by Graduation Year | 2022 | 2023 |
| Graduated | 12 | 22 |
| Employed in field of study within 6 months of graduation* | 100% | 95% |
| Continued to doctoral program | 0 | 0 |
| Gainfully employed within 6 months of graduation* | 100% | 100% |
*Based on student response rate of graduates over threshold of 80%
| Retention by Graduation Year | 2022 | 2023 |
| Initially Enrolled | 20 | 28 |
| Dropped Out | 2 | 1 |
| In-Progress | 2 | 2 |
| Graduated | 16 | 25 |
| Retention | 90% | 96% |
New York, NY 10011
