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SCS Home  >  Certificate Programs  >  Professional Development  >  Art Therapy

Art Therapy Professional Development Program

Art Therapy Class Project Art Therapy is an established mental health profession in which art-making serves as a doorway to rehabilitation, education, psychotherapy, growth, and well-being for individuals of all ages. Based on the concept that human thinking takes a pictorial form, art therapy helps children, adolescents, adults, families, and groups understand their abilities, personalities, interests, concerns, and conflicts through the creative process. Using drawing, painting, sculpture, and other art forms, art therapy techniques rely on imagery to gain insight into communication, problem solving, socialization, anger management, and individual self-esteem.

A rapidly growing and diversified field (Art Therapist Among 10 Hot Jobs for 2007), art therapy today includes professionals working in many settings, such as hospitals, mental health clinics, social service agencies, schools, shelters, correctional facilities, and geriatric centers. Art therapists also work in programs for substance abuse, sexual abuse, violence prevention, and community development.

Art Therapy Picture of a baby ChickProgram Audience

The Art Therapy program at the School of Continuing Studies provides courses of interest to art therapists, social workers, counselors, psychologists, teachers, other human service professionals, and students in these disciplines who may be interested in incorporating art therapy into their work. Students can apply their SCS art therapy courses to continuing education credit (CECs and CEUs), social work, and counseling credential maintenance.

Program Requirements

To earn the Certificate in Art Therapy, students must complete 2 required courses and 4-6 elective courses to total 180 hours of classroom instruction. The required courses are:
  • Foundations of Art Therapy
  • Art Therapy Methods
The elective courses available are:
  • Group Art Therapy
  • Art Therapy Materials and Projects
  • Using Art to Create Change for Children and Adolescents
  • The Creative Process in Art Therapy
  • Understanding and Working with Images
  • Art Therapy for Professional Processing
  • Art Therapy for Trauma Treatment
  • Exploring Self-Image Through Art Therapy
  • Transformational Aspects of Stories in Art Therapy
The Illinois Mental Health Counselors Association sponsors the Art Therapy program in partnership with the School of Continuing Studies (SCS). Courses are continuously updated each academic term, and it is possible to enroll in one or more courses. The School of Continuing Studies is an approved continuing education provider for the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE).Qualified educators can earn their CPDUs to apply towards the Illinois professional development requirement. Additional information about professional development may be found through the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE).

Northwestern Excellence

  • Northwestern University is a preeminent university recognized internationally as a hallmark of academic excellence.
  • School of Continuing Studies programs provide students with exceptional opportunities for intellectual, professional and personal growth.
  • SCS instructors bring outstanding academic credentials and relevant professional experience to the classroom to create a highly interactive, collaborative, and challenging learning environment.
  • SCS students study with peers who have rich, diverse backgrounds and can provide lifelong learning connections.

Course Information

Registration information and detailed course descriptions can be found on the course listings page. Schedules, content and prices are subject to change.

Contact Us

If you would like to speak with someone to get more information about a program or course, give us a call or email us today!

Call: 847-491-3225
Email: pdp@northwestern.edu