AATA Clinical Training Standards

According to the American Art Therapy Association (AATA) Standards for Education and Clinical Training, students must complete “a minimum of 100 hours of supervised art therapy practicum,“ which includes both “observation and practice in preparation for internship.“ In addition, students are required to complete “a minimum of 600 hours of supervised art therapy internship over the course of at least two academic terms.“ Across the combined practicum and internship experience, students must accumulate “a minimum of 350 total client contact hours“ to meet national training standards.

A grade of B or higher is required in ATR 501, ATR 502, ATR 506, and ATR 508. Students must earn at least a B in order to continue progressing through the internship sequence. A grade of B reflects that the student has demonstrated the minimum required competencies necessary to advance, as determined by program evaluation standards. Any grade below a B will require the course to be repeated.

The prerequisites for ATR 501 include ATR 528: Art Therapy – Theories, Practice, and Counseling and PSY 535: Principles and Techniques in Counseling and Psychotherapy. These courses are typically completed during the first semester of study. During ATR 528, students begin pre-practicum observation hours, targeting a minimum of 25 hours.

Students generally register for ATR 501 and ATR 502 (Art Therapy and Counseling Practicum Internship I and II) during the spring and summer A terms of their first year. These courses take place at the Nazareth University Art Therapy Clinic. Students are expected to participate at the internship site for a minimum of 10 hours per week, completing at least 150 hours in the spring and 60 hours in the summer A term.

Upon successful completion of ATR 501 and ATR 502, students advance to ATR 506 and ATR 508, which involve more intensive internship placements at YWRI, and/or approved local sites under the supervision of a qualified art therapist or licensed mental health professional. These courses typically take place in the second year of study. Students are expected to participate for a minimum of 18 hours per week, totaling at least 250 hours per semester. Across all four internship courses, students must complete a minimum of 700 clinical training hours in order to meet program and accreditation requirements.