Applying to Art Therapy/Counseling Program

Applying to the MA Art Therapy/Counseling program at Southwestern College is an exciting journey toward a fulfilling career. Here’s what you’ll need to get started:

The College recognizes the importance of life experience, references and personal motivation as indicators of academic success in the art therapy field. These factors, along with a personal statement which describes professional and educational goals and intentions, greatly enhance the likelihood of admission to the SWC program.

1. Bachelors Degree

Ensure you’ve earned a bachelor’s degree from and accredited institution.

2.  Psychology Coursework – for more specifics on coursework below you can contact admissions@swc.edu.

Complete at least 9 semester credits of undergraduate psychology coursework including:

• Abnormal Psychology
• Developmental Psychology
• One psychology elective of the applicant’s choice

Aim for a grade of “C” or better in each course. If you have or currently are engaged in community service the psychology elective can be waived.  

3. Studio Art Requirements

You must have a minimum of six courses, 18 semester credits (22.5 quarter units) in undergraduate studio art coursework including:

• Painting
• 3-D (i.e. sculpture, ceramics, jewelry making, wood carving, etc.)
• Four studio art electives of the applicant’s choice

It is recommended that these courses be taken at an accredited institution of higher education. Coursework taken in private or community settings may be accepted provided it has been group instruction and it meets Southwestern College requirements described below.

If the student selects private or community coursework, a minimum of 75 hours in each medium is required to fulfill each of the studio requirements (For example, if you were to take a painting course at a community center, you would need to take 75 studio hours of that one course).  A letter from the instructor documenting the length of class, hours per class and total studio hours completed must be submitted for approval. Individual studio instruction is not accepted due to the lack of classroom experience. Studio art courses must be taken for a grade of “C” or better or on a pass/fail basis. Audited courses are not accepted.

4. An art portfolio of 12 to 15 images on a zip drive uploaded into the online application reflecting at least three different media. We encourage applicants to include titles and brief descriptions and use Powerpoint or Google Slides for the presentation.

5. An image from your art portfolio or a new image created based on your personal statement uploaded in application along with a personal reflection of your healing process with the image.

To apply, please submit the following for consideration:

• Degree Application
• $50 application fee
• Resumé
• Official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended. Send electronically to admissions@swc.edu or send via snail mail to SWC Enrollment Services, 3960 San Felipe Rd., Santa Fe, NM 87507.
• The emails of two references submitted within the online application and they will be sent an email with a link to complete a reference form.    (References can be 1 professional and 1 academic, or 2 professional recommendations if preferred) 
• Art Portfolio submitted as a zip drive into the online application. Include 12-15 images.
• A three-page personal statement including:                                                                                                 
  1) Your professional and academic interests and goals
  2) Your personal qualities, including strengths and weaknesses
  3) The life experiences that led you to pursue this degree
  4) A brief account of how you have provided service to others
  5) Your thoughts on the therapeutic process  
• An image with a self reflective process. (image can be one chosen from art portfolio, or new image created from process of writing personal statement).

When the above items have been received, you may be contacted for an admissions interview.

You must be invited to have an interview with a member of the Admissions staff in order to be eligible for acceptance into the program.

Due to the applied and holistic nature of the program, your presentation of self, including communication and reflective skills in the admissions interview, are critical factors in the determination of acceptance. Admissions interviews may be conducted in person or virtually.

Note: Many Master’s degree students choose a certificate specialty program. If you are interested in any of these programs please contact admissions@swc.edu. You can apply to to a certificate specialty program either before or after you begin classes at Southwestern College.