Instructional Content in Undergraduate Art Therapy Education

Abstract

Undergraduate art therapy education programs in the United States have endeavored to prepare students for graduate level art therapy training and entry level positions in art facilitation since the mid-1970s with minimal published guidelines or established professional standards. The authors reviewed the art therapy literature regarding current undergraduate and graduate educational instructional content, and educational pathways. We scrutinized current undergraduate guidelines and standards for instructional content among allied disciplines and investigated current undergraduate level employment opportunities and skills required for these positions. Based on these findings, we propose seven undergraduate instructional content areas appropriate for non-clinical pre-professionals. Recommendations include expanding the scope of practice to include undergraduate level art facilitators, developing scaffolded learning outcomes, establishing tiered credentialing, and evaluating outcomes.