Introduction

Art Therapy Education & Certification

Art therapists in the United States are trained through graduate programs that are either approved by the Art Therapy Credential Board (ATCB) for the American Art Therapy Association (AATA) or accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) upon the recommendation of the Accreditation Council for Art Therapy Education (ACATE).

The Art Therapy Program at Nazareth University is proudly accredited by CAAHEP, 25400 US Highway 19 North, Suite 158, Clearwater, FL 33763, 727-210-2350, www.caahep.org.

The curriculum for a graduate art therapy degree includes both academic coursework and clinical training. Upon completion of an AATA-approved or CAAHEP-accredited program—including the required number of supervised clinical hours—graduates become eligible to begin post-graduate work involving 1,000 hours of direct client contact under supervision. After completing these hours, individuals may apply to sit for the Art Therapy Credentials Board (ATCB) certification exam.

Passing this exam grants the credential Board-Certified Art Therapist (ATR-BC).

In New York State, graduates of license-qualifying programs are eligible to sit for the ATCB exam immediately upon graduation as part of the licensure process for becoming a Licensed Creative Arts Therapist (LCAT). However, passing the exam for licensure does not automatically grant the ATR-BC credential, as that designation still requires completion of the post-graduate clinical hours and formal registration with the ATCB.

Only graduates of AATA-approved or CAAHEP-accredited programs are eligible to take the ATCB certification exam and pursue national board certification.