Art Therapy and Counseling

SAIC's Master of Arts in Art Therapy and Counseling (MAATC) program explores the relationship between life experiences and artmaking and prepares graduates for a career helping people gain or recover intellectual and emotional clarity, equilibrium, and power through artistic expression.

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Our Departmental Mission

To provide an art therapy and counseling education that prepares artist-art therapists to practice in specialized settings within a socio-cultural context.

Art Therapy and Counseling Program Accreditation

The Master of Arts in Art Therapy and Counseling program at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (www.caahep.org) upon the recommendation of The Accreditation Council for Art Therapy Education.

Experience and Connections

The department integrates learning in studio art, art therapy, and counseling with hands-on clinical experience.

This image is a photograph of an artwork, made from a photographic print and chalk pastel on paper. The artwork is a portrait of a person, showing their head, shoulders, and upper torso. The person has short brown hair. The face is expressionless and show

Jessica Walters, Screenshot of the Artist (2020) Photographic print, chalk pastel, and paper

Graduate students complete rigorous coursework in preparation for professional certification with the Art Therapy Credentials Board and the Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor exam in the state of Illinois. Due to the variable requirements of art therapy and counseling credentials in different states or countries, students and alumni have access to a licensure specialist to assist with post-graduation applications for Illinois professional counseling licensure and similarly designed credentials in the U.S. and other countries where applicable.

Exploring Art Therapy and Counseling

Undergraduates interested in the field can choose from several introductory course options that incorporate art therapeutic concepts both as an introduction to the profession as well as a means of complementing their studio practices.

Learn more about options for undergraduate students

This image is a comic. The color palette is a soft pink, light grey/blue, with touches of yellow, green, and red. The first box, in the top left corner, shows a portrait of the artist talking to their therapist. You can only see the back of the head of th

Laura B. Young, Agency (2021) Ink and Digital Manipulation

Interested in learning more?

Continue to explore the Art Therapy and Counseling Department website to learn more about our curricular offerings, faculty, students, alumni, and more or visit the Master of Arts in Art Therapy and Counseling degree program for detailed information or schedule a tour.

For admissions questions about the MAATC Program Guide or additional questions about the MAATC program, please email the Art Therapy and Counseling Department at maatcinquiries@saic.edu.

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