Psychology, Art Therapy Preparation Concentration, B.A.

Art therapists are professional providers with at least a master’s degree in either art therapy or a master’s degree with a concentration in art therapy. A bachelor’s degree is required to get into an art therapy graduate program. The Art Therapy Preparation concentration at Westfield State University meets all coursework and portfolio requirements necessary to gain admittance into a graduate program in Art Therapy. The concentration requires 36 credits of coursework (12 classes), but is only an additional 18 credits for art or psychology majors (6 classes).

Requirements for Psychology Majors

Psychology majors must complete a minimum of 21 credits in the Department at Westfield State University.

Required Courses - 12 Credits

PSYC 0101 - Introduction to Psychology Credits: 3
PSYC 0219 - Research Methods in Psychology I Credits: 3
or COMM 0320 - Foundations of Communication Research  Credits: 3

or CRJU 0231 - Research Methods in Criminal Justice  Credits: 3

or SOCW 0204 - Introduction to Research Methods in Social Work  Credits: 3
PSYC 0308 - Statistics for Psychologists Credits: 3
PSYC 0319 - Research Methods in Psychology II Credits: 3

Content Courses - 18 Credits

Select the number of courses indicated below from each of the 4 categories.

Basic Processes - choose 2
PSYC 0215 - Adaptation and Animal Behavior Credits: 3
PSYC 0306 - Learning Credits: 3
PSYC 0312 - Behavioral Neuroscience Credits: 3
PSYC 0341 - Cognitive Psychology Credits: 3
PSYC 0359 - Sensation and Perception Credits: 3
Individual and Social Systems - choose 1
PSYC 0201 - Theories of Personality Credits: 3
PSYC 0304 - Social Psychology Credits: 3
PSYC 0336 - Psychology of the Family Credits: 3
Development - choose 1
PSYC 0202 - Child Development Credits: 3
PSYC 0203 - Adolescent Development Credits: 3
PSYC 0208 - Adult Development and Aging Credits: 3
Applied - choose 2
PSYC 0200 - Industrial and Organizational Psychology Credits: 3
PSYC 0206 - Educational Psychology Credits: 3
PSYC 0303 - Abnormal Psychology Credits: 3
PSYC 0305 - Forensic Psychology Credits: 3
PSYC 0311 - Health Psychology Credits: 3
PSYC 0317 - Applied Behavior Analysis Credits: 3
PSYC 0318 - Psychology of Interpersonal Relations and Communications Credits: 3
PSYC 0320 - Psychometrics: Psychological Tests and Measurements Credits: 3
PSYC 0322 - Theories of Counseling Credits: 3

Capstone Experience - 3 Credits

Pre-requisites: All capstone experiences (CE) require the student to be a senior Psychology major. Some CEs may have additional pre-requisites. Choose one of the following options:

PSYC 0333 - Practicum in Psychology Credits: 6
PSYC 0351 - Emotion Credits: 3
PSYC 0364 - Capstone Experience: Psychopharmacology Credits: 3
PSYC 0367 - Capstone Experience: Advanced Developmental Science Credits: 3
PSYC 0369 - Capstone Experience: Psychology of Film Credits: 3
PSYC 0371 - Capstone Experience: Developmental Disabilities Credits: 3
PSYC 0372 - Capstone Experience: Behaviorism in Contemporary Society Credits: 3
PSYC 0374 - Capstone Experience: Health of Vulnerable Populations Credits: 3
PSYC 0376 - Capstone Experience: Psychology of Depression Credits: 3
PSYC 0378 - Capstone Experience: Ethics in Psychology Credits: 3
PSYC 0380 - Capstone Experience: Positive Psychology Credits: 3
PSYC 0382 - Capstone Experience: Psychological Assessment and Program Evaluation Credits: 3
PSYC 0384 - Capstone Experience: Psychology of Crime Lab Credits: 3
PSYC 0386 - Capstone Experience: ABA Research Design and Ethics Credits: 3
PSYC 0396 - Capstone Experience: Independent Study Credits: 3-6
Honors Thesis in Psychology (as part of the University Honors program)

Other CE offerings may be available in any given semester. Please see your academic advisor for details.

Note: If receiving 6 credits for PSYC 0333, 0396, 0397, or Honors Thesis, 3 credits may apply to the capstone requirement and 3 may apply to Psychology major electives.

Electives in Psychology - 6 credits

Students must take two 200- or 300-level psychology courses with advisement.

Department Assessment Post-Test

PSYC 0395 - Department Internal Evaluation: Post-Test Credits: 0

Lab Science - 4 Credits

BIOL 0104 - Human Biology Credits: 4
BIOL 0106 - Practical Biology for the World Today Credits: 4
BIOL 0237 - Human Anatomy and Physiology I Credits: 4
Students may substitute with department approval.

Art Therapy Preparation Required Courses - 18 Credits

Students must take the following ART classes:

ART 0103 - Drawing I Credits: 3
ART 0104 - Design Fundamentals Credits: 3
ART 0105 - Three-Dimensional Design Credits: 3
ART 0108 - Computer Graphics for Art Applications I Credits: 3
ART 0204 - Ceramics I Credits: 3
ART 0216 - Painting I Credits: 3
Students are required to create a portfolio of 10 - 12 images each of different media/materials with a media/material not presented twice in the portfolio. A faculty member from the Art Department will assist and approve this portfolio as a requirement towards the completion of the concentration.

Additional Graduation Requirements

All students must meet the University Graduation Requirements and complete a general education or common core of studies, distributed among the different academic areas as detailed in General Education: WISE or Common Core .