Master of Arts Art Therapy

Duration: 2 years (4 semesters), Full Time (August 2010 Intake)

This programme is breaking new ground in the region, by incorporating art and psychotherapy. It trains you to become a skilled practitioner through theoretical knowledge, clinical practice and supervision and fieldwork. This will position you well as a pioneer of the field in the region. Your experience will culminate in the writing of an in-depth clinical or related research paper.

An art work by an MA Art Therapy candidate,
Huma Durrani from Pakistan

Trainee Art Therapists

Students come from a wide variety of ethnic and diverse cultural backgrounds countries including India, China, Malaysia, UK, Indonesia, Thailand, Sri Lanka, Belgium, USA and Australia. Their backgrounds include visual art, clinical health practice, and art education.  Generally, they are a mature-aged group of candidates who are very motivated and passionate about developing the field of Art Therapy in Singapore.

Semester 1:

• Introduction to Art Therapy
• Group Training
• Media Studies
• Human Development
• Introduction to Postgraduate Research
• This semester includes 28 hours of clinical observation as part of the Introduction to Art Therapy course work

Your programme begins with a broad-based introduction to art therapy and establishes its history and the various approaches in the field. Therapeutic concepts such as transference and counter-transference, sublimation, the therapeutic relationship, and ethics as well art therapy research are all covered.

It also introduces non-art school graduates to aesthetics and broadens their art-making skills, building on the visual art experiences available within LASALLE.

Semester 2:

• Art Therapy: Theory and Practice I
• Group Training
• Clinical Placement Supervision
• This semester includes 272 hours of clinical internship hours.

Having achieved a basic grounding in art therapy theory and research, the programme now prepares you to meet the demands of developing a clinical practice. Building on the theoretical work from Semester 1, you now focus on developing your clinical skills in the actual application of practice. You also continue the development of your writing, reflecting and researching skills.  Child and adolescent aspects of art therapy are further explored.

Semester 3:

• Art Therapy: Theory and Practice II
• Group Training
• Clinical Placement Supervision
• This semester includes 272 hours of clinical internship hours.

The development of your clinical skills and theoretical knowledge deepens and your work becomes more complex. During this time, you will improve your ability to work with individuals, groups and families in a variety of settings as a trainee art therapist. You will continue to develop your writing, reflecting and researching skills.

Semester 4:

• Group Training
• Research Seminar
• Clinical Placement Supervision
• This semester includes 272 hours of clinical internship hours, submission of final research paper and participation in graduation exhibition

As you grow in your understanding and ability to meet of the professional demands of the field, you will focus on the complex demands of writing an in-depth clinical case study or research paper which is the culmination of the learning and personal development that runs through this Master’s
degree.

An art work by an MA Art Therapy candidate,
Romny Vandoros from South Africa
Industry Validation & Partnership

The programe is recognised and accredited by ANZATA (Australia and New Zealand Art Therapy Association) which also allows students to be eligible for AATA (American Art Therapy Association) and BAAT (British Art Therapy Association) recognition upon graduation. The programme is working towards recognition by the appropriate government agencies and ministries in Singapore.

Teaching Methods

Teaching is carried out through three areas of learning – Practical Work, Clinical Placement and Personal Therapy.

Practical Work
• Examine themed areas of study through experiential workshops on topics such as family therapy, ethics and research
• Advance your skills in and increase your self-awareness and understanding of the language of the art making and therapeutic process
• Use independent studio practice to examine your creative agenda and work towards a group exhibition in Semester 4, with faculty overseeing your progress
• Explore group processes under the guidance of a trained therapist through experiential therapy group sessions for the duration of the programme

Clinical Placement
• Over 800 hours of attachment to a relevant clinical or psycho-educational establishments, such as hospitals, educational institutions, prisons and other mental health settings
• Receive on-site and off-site clinical supervision
• Learning strategies include feedback on written work, case presentations, supervisor reports and peer interaction and feedback
• LASALLE also organises some clinical placements for candidates interested in exploring international settings as in recent trips to work with children in Sumatra and Nepal

Personal Therapy
• You are required to receive regular, weekly, personal therapy for the duration of your training. Where possible, it is recommended that a psychodynamic therapist conduct the therapy.  The therapy facilitates:
• Processing of issues that may arise during your coursework as well as maintaining appropriate self-care
• Engagement in a self-reflective process and growth process
• A better understanding of the therapeutic process
Note: The therapeutic engagement is to be obtained outside the programme. You will be required to submit a Verification of Attendance document by a registered therapist at the middle and end of each semester. Therapy fees are borned by candidates, each session cost between S$50.00 to S$175.00. 

Career Path

• Art Therapist
• Related careers: Counselor, Educator, Social Worker and Artist

For more information about the programme and admission, contact us.
For detailed entry requirements, please go to Entry Requirement.
To apply, please go to Applications.