Art Therapy University Course, Master of Arts

Who is the university course in art therapy aimed at?

The part-time university course in Art Therapy (Master of Arts, Continuing Education) at the Sigmund Freud Private University Berlin is aimed at persons interested in art therapy with an academic degree who wish to deepen their knowledge and skills in the field of art therapy. Typical target groups are professionals who want to work in the future with pictorial and creative methods in social, special and remedial education, rehabilitation, or social psychiatric fields. Those already working in related disciplines also benefit from the practice-oriented, scientifically based course of study.

What admission requirements apply?

To be admitted to the university course in Art Therapy (MA CE), you must meet the following formal requirements:

• Completed bachelor's degree or an equivalent qualification amounting to at least 180 ECTS
• At least two years of professional experience in the relevant specialised field
• One-sided letter of motivation
• Structured CV

The admission procedure is mandatory and consists of:

• Two admission interviews
• Participation in an admission seminar
• Presentation of one’s own aesthetic-pictorial interest

Only after all parts of the admission procedure have been successfully completed is enrolment in the course possible.

Which personal requirements are helpful?

For entry into this Master's course, the following personal qualities are recommended in addition to the formal criteria:

• Interest in art, creativity, and design processes
• Empathy and openness towards psychotherapeutic, social, and educational issues
• Willingness for self-reflection and personal experience in artistic as well as therapeutic contexts
• Motivation to support people in stressful life situations through creative methods
• Initiative and willingness to engage with scientific and practical content

The admission procedure also places importance on individual motivation and artistic-practical interest.

What Awaits You in the University Course Art Therapy?

In the university course "Clinical Art Therapy" at the Sigmund Freud Private University Berlin, you will engage with the scientific and practical foundations of art therapy, especially in the clinical and psychosocial context. You will learn how artistic forms of expression are used to treat emotional, psychological and social problems. The focus is on working with visual methods to nonverbally capture, process and understand inner conflicts and feelings.

• Study of art therapeutic theories and interventions
• Insight into psychological, (psycho)therapeutic and material-aesthetic basics
• Self-experience and supervision as a fixed part of the training
• Use of creativity in social, curative educational and clinical settings
• Development of various practical fields (outpatient, inpatient, rehabilitative)

How Does the Course Proceed – Schedule and Organisation

The course is organised alongside employment and spans six semesters (three years) with a total of 120 ECTS. Teaching is conducted in German. You benefit from a strong practical focus, which from the start includes practical units as well as supervised practical experiences.

• Part-time: the course can be combined with professional employment
• Regular alternation between theoretical modules and practical application
• Ongoing art therapeutic self-experience as part of the curriculum
• Guided supervision and active exchange with fellow students
• Degree: Master of Arts (Continuing Education) / MA (CE)

Your Prospects After Graduation

With the master's degree in Clinical Art Therapy, you qualify for diverse activities in the health and social sectors. You can work in outpatient and inpatient clinical facilities as well as in areas of health prevention, social counselling, rehabilitation, and in curative educational and psychosocial institutions.

• Art therapeutic work in clinics, rehabilitation centres and counselling centres
• Fields of activity in health care and psychosocial support
• Support of children, adolescents and adults with art therapeutic methods
• Cooperation with medical, psychological and social pedagogical professionals
• Participation in research and development projects in the field of art and therapy

Study Location: Berlin

The university course takes place at the Faculty of Psychotherapy Science of the Sigmund Freud Private University Berlin. The on-site events are offered centrally within the city area. As a student, you benefit from the connection to a network of practically oriented institutions and the vibrant art and therapy scene of Berlin.

What Does the Art Therapy Course Cost?

The tuition fees for the course amount to a total of €18,030 (six semesters, €3,005 per semester or €510.85 monthly). In addition, a compulsory contribution to the Austrian Student Union (ÖH) must be paid each semester. A processing fee of 2% on the tuition fee applies.

• Total cost: €18,030 (one-off payment or instalments possible)
• Semester fee: €3,005
• Monthly payment: €510.85
• Plus processing fee (2%) and ÖH contribution

Financial support options and advice are available through the university’s finance department.