Art Therapy - Crawford College of Art & Design

Modules

The programme aims to equip Art Therapy practitioners with a range of therapeutic skills and interventions to work with both individual and group clients in a variety of health and community settings. It follows three strands of learning:



Theoretical Studies (45 Credits)

Experiential Art Therapy Training (30 Credits)

Clinical Placement and Professional Studies (45 Credits)*



* Students are encouraged to experience a number of differing placement situations over the course of their training. Please note that students must have their placements in a new setting and not at their workplace. Supervision of the clinical experience is central to the art therapy training and is provided in small groups at Crawford College and individually on placement.

Applicants normally require:



An Honours degree, or equivalent, in Visual Art. Where graduate qualifications are not in the visual arts, for example, Psychiatric Nursing, Social Work or Teaching, evidence of a substantial and developing body of current and recent art work is essential



Minimum of one year, or equivalent, full-time clinical/care work in an area relevant to art therapy, paid or voluntary.

This work may be, for example, in Health or Social Services, Special Education, Community Care or Day Centres, with clients who have a mental illness, learning or physical disability



Strong portfolio of personal artwork showing an understanding of an appropriate art form, the art-making process, showing the applicant's relationship and connection to their creative process



Two satisfactory references from clinical and professional persons who have knowledge of the candidate’s education, training and experience



A good understanding of therapeutic and professional working of Art Therapy and the implications of working as a therapist



Pre-course experience in personal therapy or counselling is preferred



Early Assessment:

Because of the clinical placement component of this course, it is a condition of entry that all successful applicants will be subject to the National Vetting Bureau (NVB) procedure carried out by the NVB facilitator at MTU. Offers of a place on this programme will be provisional and contingent on the applicant’s satisfactory completion of MTU’s NVB procedure.



What is RPL?

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) is when formal recognition is given for what you already know prior to starting on a programme or module. With recognition of prior learning the focus is on learning and not on experience as such. You can apply for RPL in any MTU accredited programme or module. Programmes which are accredited by professional bodies or any external awarding bodies may have their own procedures for RPL which you should refer to.

Application Deadline 26th April 2025

M.A.: 90 ECTS

The course is delivered on a part-time over 3 years (1 college day and 1 clinical placement day) or on a full-time basis over two years (2 college days and 2 clinical placement days).



The course is delivered on a full time basis over two years (2 college days and 2 clinical placement days) or part-time over 3 years (1 college day and 1 clinical placement day).

EU Applicants: €7,950

Non-EU Applicants: €12,000

Start Date: September 2025

Career options

Art therapists work in a wide variety of HSE and social care settings, including – adult and child psychiatry, education, palliative care, drug and alcohol services or community day centres. Many also work in private practice.