The practicum may be spent in the geographic area of the student's choice within the continental United States and parts of Canada. Both the agency and the supervisor must be approved by the program faculty. Art therapy program faculty will assist in securing agency placement and a supervisor, but students are responsible for making preliminary inquiries for the practicum prior to the beginning of the first summer residency. Students write their thesis during the second non-resident interim. Longer study schedules are available for candidates who anticipate difficulty completing the program in the 27-month schedule.
Admission is based on merit and is competitive.
While specific course descriptions are subject to change, the list that follows is indicative of the topics and scope of courses. Courses are sequential rather than concurrent and meet three hours each weekday for a 3-week period. Students enroll in four 3-credit courses in addition to fieldwork. During the first summer term, faculty and supervisors familiar with the student's academic and fieldwork performance evaluate progress. In addition to reviewing grades and evaluations, the faculty consider whether the student has satisfactorily demonstrated the personal characteristics needed to work successfully as an art therapist.