Application Requirements

• A completed graduate study application form (Apply online now for free!).
• A bachelor's degree from an accredited institution and official undergraduate transcripts from all institutions attended.
• Official transcript(s) from any institution(s) in which postbaccalaureate or graduate coursework was completed.
• Two letters of recommendation written by appropriate professionals.
• A current resume.
• Portfolio of artwork containing 10 - 13 examples of your own artwork, including 2-D work in drawing, painting and 3-D work in clay and/or sculpture. Submit by uploading to your online application or via email.  
• Preparatory Coursework Form (PDF). (Preparatory coursework details here.)
• A recent sample of your academic or professional writing (preferably in APA style).
• Personal Statement of Interest (see directions below).

Personal Statement of Interest

Please answer the following six questions, in order. In your statement, include the number of the question or prompt with your response. (Answer in approximately four pages overall.)

1. We are curious about your interest in applying to our program. Please briefly summarize what inspired your desire to become an art therapist/counselor.
2. Why might the Seton Hill Art Therapy program be a good fit for you? 
3. Briefly describe the meaning of art-making in your life. 
4. Seton Hill is committed to preparing graduates who understand the relevance of not just cultural differences but also privilege and oppression. How does awareness of social injustice align with your interest in becoming an art therapist? 
5. Becoming a mental health therapist involves the ability to self-regulate anxiety (i.e.manage emotions which are sparked when working with traumatized individuals, remain curious and avoid perfectionism).  How might we help you develop your professional goals in this area? 
6. The Seton Hill program continually fosters the skill of "reflexivity" which means that therapists routinely step back and reflect on the way they work, study their reactions, consider what can be improved, actually make experimental changes and assess whether they are on the right track. This helps them be more effective in building collaborative helping relationships. For this prompt then: Tell a story about a strength or weakness in action that you are working on developing, demonstrating reflexivity. 

Preparatory Coursework

Applicants must have completed the following preparatory coursework at an accredited academic institution with grades of B (3.0) or better. These courses may or may not have been included in the undergraduate degree. These may be undergraduate or graduate-level courses.

18 semester credits of studio art including:

• Three credits each of drawing, painting and 3-D art media (may include clay, ceramics, 3D methods or sculpture).
• Nine credits of additional studio art coursework in any media.
• Requests to apply a limited amount of coursework taken as part of community arts studios or workshops may be considered.

6 semester credits of psychology courses including:

• Three credits of developmental psychology**.
• Three credits of abnormal psychology or related coursework. 

**Life Span Development; or Child Development, Adolescent Development, and Adult Development. Applicants may demonstrate competency in this topic and earn credit by exam. Refer to CLEP CollegeBoard Exams for more information about the exam, testing fees, and how to earn college credit for the course. Seton Hill considers a score of 50 or above a passing grade for credit.

Potential coursework review may be requested.

Applicants will be considered for admission based on their overall academic ability, foundational life and work experience, expression of interests and connection of their goals to Seton Hill’s program philosophy, along with the capacity for professional dispositions necessary in the helping professions.

Provisional Admission

Applicants lacking preparatory coursework may request to be admitted to the graduate program provisionally, with the understanding that any outstanding preparatory coursework must be completed by the end of the first term of graduate study. It is our policy to review files that have no more than two of the required prerequisite courses outstanding. When this coursework is completed the applicant will be granted regular graduate student status, which is required in order to continue into the second term of study. Use the bottom portion of the Proof of Completion of Preparatory Coursework form to request Provisional Admission.

Advanced Standing

The Master of Arts in Art Therapy with Specialization in Counseling is a 63 credit graduate program. Students entering with a master’s degree in a related field (e.g., psychology, counseling, social work) may receive a maximum of 30 credits of advanced standing based on comparability of course requirements. All students are required to complete a minimum of 33 credits in residence at Seton Hill University in Art Therapy.

Admission Process

Deadlines

Students are accepted for both the Fall and Spring terms. The program offers rolling admission until the deadlines: June 1 for Fall admission (or earlier if all seats are filled) and November 15 for Spring admission, which has limited seats available.

Process

You may submit application materials all at once or piecemeal. All materials not submitted as part of the online application can be submitted via email to gadmit@setonhill.edu or by mail to:

Office of Graduate and Online Studies
Seton Hill University
1 Seton Hill Drive
Greensburg, PA 15601

As soon as the Office of Graduate and Online Studies receives any application materials from you an electronic file is created. You will have access to the file, to enable you to track the progress of your application. After all materials have been received your application will be reviewed and you will be notified of the admission decision.