Course Overview
Studying art therapy in the master's programme at Alanus University means thoroughly preparing yourself for the varied demands of working as a professional art therapist. Basis of the studies is the student’s own artistic competence and previous experience. During the sudy programme, students can develop therapeutic abilities based on medical-psychological, artistic and art-therapeutic findings and practice. Our focus on art therapy research provides the basis for further academic qualification and leadership activities.
- Art and Art Therapy 1st - 4th semester Reflection on the artistic work process and development of a repertoire of artistic-therapeutic methods
- Medical-Psychological Expertise, 1st -2nd semester Developmental psychology and fundamentals of pedagogy, approaches to prevention and rehabilitation, clinical psychology of children, adolescents and adults, crisis intervention and psychotherapeutic forms of treatment, psychooncology and palliative care
- Professional Skills in Art Therapy, 1st - 4th semester Theory and methodology of art therapy, diagnostics and recording/analysis of findings, therapeutic self-experience* and therapeutic relationship formation, specific art therapeutic approaches to various clinical pictures
- Research Skills, 1st -2nd / 4th semester Specific approaches and forms of work in art therapeutic research, concrete research projects within the framework of the Master's thesis
- Art Therapy in Practice, 2nd - 4th semester Practical applications of art therapy (four guided and supervised internships and projects in clinical and social institutions)
- First university degree in art, art therapy or art education
- Applicants with a first degree in another discipline can be admitted in exceptional cases. Aptitude for the field of art is determined during the entrance exam.
- 80-hour internship in art therapy or a related field of work
- Successful participation in the entrance exam
- Foreign applicants require proof of sufficient German language skills, both written and spoken
- Submission of an artistic portfolio with 20 recent works. Your artistic suitability will be determined during the admission procedure.
- Your application documents, which are described below.
- Your artistic portfolio, which is submitted in digital form. You only need to bring your artistic portfolio with the original artworks to the admission procedure after you have been invited. For applicants from non-European countries, the submission of a digital artistic portfolio is sufficient. Please note the "Hints for preparing a portfolio".
- Curriculum vitae
- Letter of motivation
- certified copies of certificates
- Proof of a 4-week internship, completed in a social or art therapy context. (The internship can be submitted up to one year later).
- certificate of registration from a German health insurance company
- two passport photos
- for foreign students: Proof of sufficient German language skills (through TestDaF 4, DSH or an equivalent certificate).
- Show at least two different ways of working (techniques/materials). These can be, for example, drawing, painting, printmaking, sculpture, installation, conceptual, multimedia, performance or participatory.
- Convey a range of your artistic expression by incorporating at least two different ways of working.
- Express your individual artistic-aesthetic approach in a representative way and distinguish yourself through independence and originality.
- Make a personal involvement perceptible, which is qualitatively communicated to the viewer, e.g. through formal and/or content-related intensity, concentration, condensation, etc. The intensity of an involvement is shown by the inclusion of at least two different working methods.
- The presentation of your works should be done in a professional and appropriate way, similiar to an exhibition of your works.
- Expensive passe-partouts or collecting cases are not necessary; rather, we appreciate it if an appropriate presentation style is found that suits the work.
- The works should be identified on the back with your name, the title, the year of creation, the size of the work and the material used.
- Catalogues and sketchbooks are considered supplements and not works.
- The submission of your digital portfolio should be in PDF or PPT format. Please ensure that the photos are of good colour quality and depth of field.
- Information regarding the title, year of creation, size of the work and the material used is required. Additionally, include a cover sheet with your name, address and the design period.
- Please send your digital portfolio exclusively via an external hard drive (e.g.: WeTransfer or X-Transfer). Single images cannot be accepted.
