| Admission Deadline: | Fall - February 1 |
| Standardized test scores: | GRE is not required. |
| The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), the academic International English Language Testing System (IELTS), or the PTE Academic is required of all applicants except those who hold a bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree from a college or university in the United States or from an institution located in a country in which English is the official language, provided English was the language of instruction. | |
| Minimum scores for the M.A. program are: | |
| - Academic IELTS: an overall band score of 7.0 with no individual score below 6.0; or | |
| - TOEFL: 600 on paper-based or 100 on Internet-based; or | |
| Duolingo: 130; or | |
| - PTE Academic: 68 | |
| Recommendations required: | Two (2) recommendations |
| Prior academic records: | Transcripts are required from all colleges and universities attended, whether or not credit was earned, the program was completed, or the credit appears as transfer credit on another transcript. Unofficial transcripts from all colleges and universities attended must be uploaded to your online application. Official transcripts are required only of applicants who are offered admission. |
| If transcripts are in a language other than English, English language translations must be provided. The English translation alone should be uploaded into your application. | |
| Prerequisite Requirements: | A bachelor's degree, with 18 credits in art, including painting, drawing, and ceramics/sculpture/3D/figurative clay, and 12 credits in the behavioral and/or social sciences, including abnormal psychology and human development. Coursework grades must be B or above to be accepted. |
| Statement of Purpose: | In an essay of approximately 500 words, state your purpose in undertaking graduate study in Art Therapy and specifically why you are interested in the GW Program. Include why you have chosen this field over any other you considered and what led you to this decision. We are not looking for a reiteration of your CV, but rather your exploration of the field, your sense of self awareness, and your level of maturity. |
| Interview: | An interview is required; options available for international applicants. |
| Portfolio: | All applicants must submit a portfolio. The portfolio should demonstrate personal expression as well as technical skills in a range of media and subject matter (i.e. include personal artwork, not just class assignments). While we do not favor one artistic style over another, we need to see evidence of representational work to be able to assess your ability to assist clients. When you present your portfolio at the interview, you should be prepared to discuss some of your work from a personal perspective. In particular, we are interested in your personal understanding of art and what you have learned about yourself through the art-making process. |
| Requirements: | |
| -15–20 pieces | |
| -Examples of drawing, painting and figurative clay work | |
| - At least one example of figurative clay work (bust or full body) is required. | |
| Format: | |
| -Your portfolio needs to be submitted as a PDF, showing high quality digital photos. It must be titled with your last name, first initial and Portfolio. For example: Smith, J Portfolio. | |
| Course Summary Sheet: | Applicants must submit an Art Therapy Course Summary Sheet with their applications. The template may be downloaded from the Art Therapy Department website. |
| International applicants only: | Please follow this link - https://columbian.gwu.edu/international-graduate-applicants - to review the International Applicant Information carefully for details on required documents, earlier deadlines for applicants requiring an I-20 or DS-2019 from GW, and English language requirements. |
Supporting documents not submitted online should be mailed to:
Columbian College of Arts and Sciences, Office of Graduate Studies
The George Washington University
801 22nd Street NW, Phillips Hall 107
Washington DC 20052
For additional information about the admissions process visit the Columbian College of Arts and Sciences Frequently Asked Questions page.
Contact:
askccas@gwu.edu
202-994-6210 (phone)
Hours: 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, Monday through Friday
The following requirements must be fulfilled:
The general requirements stated under Columbian College of Arts and Sciences, Graduate Programs.
61 credits in required coursework, including 900 internship hours.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Required | ||
| ARTH 6205 | History and Theory of Art Therapy | |
| ARTH 6207 | Human Development and Art Therapy I: Child and Adolescent | |
| ARTH 6208 | Human Development and Art Therapy II: Adults and Senior Adults | |
| ARTH 6210 | Counseling/Art Therapy Process | |
| ARTH 6211 | Process of Counseling and Art Therapy: Theory | |
| ARTH 6212 | Creativity, Symbolism, and Metaphor | |
| ARTH 6221 | Studio/Technique of Art Therapy | |
| ARTH 6233 | Marital and Family Art Therapy/Counseling | |
| ARTH 6234 | Group Process | |
| ARTH 6235 | Social and Cultural Diversity | |
| ARTH 6241 | Assessment Procedures | |
| ARTH 6242 | Psychopathology: Art and Diagnosis | |
| ARTH 6243 | Substance Abuse and Addictions | |
| ARTH 6251 | Research Methods | |
| ARTH 6262 | Career Counseling and Art Therapy | |
| ARTH 6263 | Ethics and Professionalism I: Principles | |
| ARTH 6264 | Ethics and Professionalism II: Applications | |
| ARTH 6265 | Advanced Issues in Psychotherapy and Art Therapy (taken four times for 1 credit for a total of 4 credits) | |
| ARTH 6271 | Art Psychotherapy and Trauma I: Theory and Approaches to Treatment (taken for 3 credits) | |
| ARTH 6272 | Art Psychotherapy and Trauma II: Loss, Countertransference, and Resiliency | |
| ARTH 6281 | Practicum in Art Therapy (taken six times for 1 credit for a total of 6 credits) | |
| ARTH 6292 | Special Projects in Art Therapy (taken for 1 credit) | |