Loyola Marymount University

M.A. in Marital and Family Therapy with Specialized Training in Art Therapy

Campus-Based

Loyola Marymount University
1 LMU Drive, Suite 2444
Los Angeles, CA 90045

M.A. in Marital and Family Therapy Program Page

 

Program details below are quoted from program websites, supplied here for informational purposes only, and subject to change at any time. Refer to the program website for current information, deadlines, complete admission requirements, etc. It is the responsibility of the prospective student to verify with program administrators program details and that the program still meets BBS requirements for licensure in the state of California.

Program Snapshot

Accreditation

Our program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs upon the recommendation of The Accreditation Council for Art Therapy Education.

Concentrations/Specializations Offered

Students are trained to integrate their visual art backgrounds with psychotherapeutic skills as they work with a variety of clients, including children, adolescents, adults and families. The training fully prepares students to become practicing marital and family therapists committed to utilizing art processes in their work as psychotherapists.

LMFT Track or Dual LMFT/LPCC Track

LMFT and registration by the American Art Therapy Association (ATR).

Length of Program

2-3 years

Loyola Marymount University's Marital and Family Therapy Art Therapy Graduate program provides a full-time two year education that combines rigorous academic course work with two clinical traineeships. A modified three-year program allows students to fulfill program requirements at a slower pace but still requires daytime class attendance.

Schedule/Format

  • Full-time track meets up to 3 days per week, mid-morning to late afternoon. Practicum training days and times vary.

  • Part-time track meets up to 2 days per week, mid-morning to late afternoon. Practicum training days and times vary.

Program Start

Fall

Estimated Total Program Tuition

$83,100

Religious Orientation

LMU is a Catholic Jesuit university and our program ascribes to the university’s mission statement of the encouragement of learning, the education of the whole person and the promotion of justice.

Entering Class Size and Classroom Sizes

Accepts approximately 20 students each year. Class sizes vary but the maximum size would be around 25

Fieldwork Hours Accrued During Program

The traineeship enables the student to accumulate up to 840 hours with a minimum of 350 accumulated hours providing art therapy services to individuals, groups, and/or families.

The first practicum is a 16 hour a week commitment for the entire spring semester. The second practicum is a 20 hour a week commitment for both fall and spring semesters in the final year in the program.

Personal Psychotherapy Requirement During Program

We highly recommend that our students engage in personal therapy. The program places a great emphasis on this form of experiential learning. Students have reported the value of gaining a greater understanding of how they function and their reaction to other people. Oftentimes, the psychotherapist will act as a quasi-supervisor when the student begins her/his field placement since countertransference and other difficulties may be tied into previous perceptions and experiences. The program will list clinics and competent psychotherapists who are willing to treat our students at a reduced fee.

Comprehensive Exam/Culminating Project/Thesis/Etc:

A research paper is required for graduation.

Application Process

Application Deadline

Fall 2023: November 21, 2022

Complete applications are reviewed first. A complete application includes all art and psychology pre-requisites documented on transcripts, a Bachelor's degree and GPA documented on a transcript, prerequisite checklist form, test score (optional), autobiography, portfolio and statement, letters of recommendation, and online video interview.

Undergraduate GPA Required

3.0, but those with lower GPAs are still encouraged to apply, as the admissions committee considers the whole application in the review process. The admissions committee will consider other criteria, such as work/volunteer experience, test scores, letters of recommendation, etc., to assess applicants.

GRE Requirement

Some students may choose to take the GRE to further evidence their ability to succeed in academic settings, especially when they feel their GPA does not reflect their current abilities or dedication. A score of 158 on the verbal portion of the Graduate Record Exam (GRE) is recommended. MAT is also accepted.

Prerequisite Courses

  • Prerequisites in Art

    • A minimum of eighteen (18) semester hour credits (or twenty-seven [27] quarter-hour credits) of study in studio art which demonstrates proficiency and disciplined commitment in art making. It is imperative that the applicant evidence a range of experience using a variety of art materials and processes. The art prerequisites are not named, but they must be studio art courses that involve art-making and have course prefixes that indicate they are art-making courses. Art history, art appreciation and any other non-art-making courses are not considered studio art and will not be counted as a prerequisite. Official sealed transcripts documenting this must be sent to Graduate Admissions. (Electronic transcript must be emailed to Graduate Admissions, not the department. The email address to use for electronic transcripts is graduateadmission@lmu.edu. They should not be sent the department.)

  • Prerequisites in Psychology

    • A minimum of twelve (12) semester hour credits (or eighteen [18] quarter-hour credits) of study in psychology, which must include developmental psychology (child, adolescent, or lifespan) and abnormal psychology. Please send a course description for review if the prefix of the psychology course does not start with PSYCH, PSYC, PSY. Official sealed transcripts documenting this must be sent to Graduate Admissions. These courses must be taken for a letter grade within the last 5 years.  If the course is older than 5 years, it must be approved by the Program Director.  (Electronic transcript must be emailed to Graduate Admissions, not the department. The email address to use for electronic transcripts is graduateadmission@lmu.edu. They should not be sent to the department)

  • The prerequisites do not have to be part of your undergraduate program. They can be completed at any accredited colleges or universities, including community college or extension programs and should be completed in the specific disciplines of studio art and psychology.

  • You may apply while still in the process of completing the prerequisites, but if accepted, you must complete all the prerequisites BEFORE you may start taking courses in the program.

  • Prerequisites can be completed at any accredited college or university, including community college and extension programs. Prerequisites can be completed at accredited community colleges, colleges and universities that have online courses.

Application Highlights

  • Letters of Recommendation

    • Two (2) letters of recommendation are required. Letters should focus on relevant professional, volunteer and/or mental health experience. When filling out the online application, you will need to provide the names and email addresses of your recommenders. The recommenders will then receive an automated email prompting them with instructions on how to submit an electronic letter on your behalf. To ensure that your letters of recommendation are received by the deadline, please initiate this process early enough to allow your recommenders to submit the letters on time. We are not able to accept hard paper letters or letters emailed to the department. The recommenders must upload them to your application.

  • Autobiography

    • Ten to twelve page (double space, 10-12 font, 1 inch margin) autobiography with emphasis on personal life experiences, psycho-social content, and pivotal points that led you to apply to the program. Instructions for uploading your autobiography are on the application form. Do not email it to the department.

  • Portfolio and Statement

    • A portfolio of artwork is required which should include a variety of media in no more than 10 images. You will upload these images to your online application as instructed there. You must include the title, year, medium/materials, and dimensions for all images. Choose one of the art pieces you submitted and write a statement discussing the meaning and psychological content (approx. 300 words). Instructions for uploading the images and writing the statement are on the online application. Do not send it the department.

  • Online Interview

    • You will record your video directly to your application. You will be asked to answer four interview questions in 10 minutes. The questions will be provided before you start to record, but will not appear when you begin to record. Therefore, it is very important that you print or write out the questions before you reach the recording page and have them for reference as you record.

Interview Requirement

Candidates who advance to an in-person interview are required to attend a group interview on February 4 or 5, 2023. The group interviews are on the LMU campus in Los Angeles. Please mark your calendars for this possibility.

Program Summary

Loyola Marymount University's Marital and Family Therapy Art Therapy Graduate program provides a full-time two year education that combines rigorous academic course work with two clinical traineeships. A modified three-year program allows students to fulfill program requirements at a slower pace but still requires daytime class attendance.

Students are trained to integrate their visual art backgrounds with psychotherapeutic skills as they work with a variety of clients, including children, adolescents, adults and families. The training fully prepares students to become practicing marital and family therapists committed to utilizing art processes in their work as psychotherapists.

Our program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs upon the recommendation of The Accreditation Council for Art Therapy Education.

The Program:

  • Integrates art therapy training within a family systems orientation informed by a psychodynamic perspective

  • Features small classes where individualized approaches to learning are encouraged

  • Embraces a multicultural focus throughout the curriculum

  • Maintains practicum sites creating a network of diverse, well-respected training facilities

  • Is the center of a network of successful alumni in positions of leadership in both clinical and educational institutions

  • Provides graduates with academic requirements for California state licensure (MFT) and registration by the American Art Therapy Association (ATR). (The program has not made a determination as to whether it meets other states' requirements for licensure. Interested applicants/students are encouraged to research the identified path for transferring the license outside of CA based on their specific interests and needs).

  • Provides community outreach through the Helen B. Landgarten Art Therapy Clinic

  • Offers an international program

  • Publishes the Journal of Clinical Art Therapy

One of the biggest draws to the graduate program is the Art Therapy in Mexico Summer program in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico. This summer program is designed to broaden the experiences of LMU students with art therapy training in the arts, language and culture of Mexico.

While obtaining a master's degree in Marital and Family Therapy/Art Therapy at LMU, students are strongly encouraged to attend the summer program at which they are able to fulfill degree requirements and broaden their appreciation for Mexican culture.

The intercultural learning is enriched by the inclusion of Mexican students participating in an LMU-sponsored certificate program in art therapy at the Universidad Iberoamericana.

A limited number of students currently enrolled in AATA-approved art therapy programs and who have finished at least one year of study are welcome to attend. We are offering a one week course in Family Art Therapy, a one week course in Multiculturalism and Art Therapy and a one week fieldwork experience. Students may enroll in one, two or all three of the classes but must enroll in the Multiculturalism class (second week) if they intend to join the fieldwork (third week). All our classes are structured to include dialogue between American and Mexican psychotherapists.