Foundation Course in Art Therapy
This intensive, full-time course is intended for people who are interested in anthroposophic art therapy and are considering applying to the Hibernia post-graduate programme. It offers a practical and experiential introduction to art therapy as well as insights into anthroposophy and its practical application. Fundamental to Hibernia’s approach is the perception that the human being and the natural world need to be understood physically as well as in terms of soul and spirit.
The Foundation Course will complement applicants’ prior expertise with the specific knowledge and skills needed to apply to the postgraduate art therapy programme the following year. It provides a balance of experiential learning and artistic practice where art, philosophy and medical themes are taught through an interdisciplinary method. A certificate will be given to students who successfully complete course work and attendance requirements. This certificate does not provide a qualification to practise, nor does it guarantee acceptance to the postgraduate training.
Formal classes take place on Mondays and Tuesdays over 33 weeks, supplemented by independent study and project work. The independent work is an essential part of the course and can be done at home or at Hibernia (Wednesday, Thursday and Friday) when studio space is available. In addition there will be up to four special seminars which will be held over four long weekends (Saturday – Tuesday). Students are expected to take part in special events such as the end of term festivals and the annual Open Day. This will entail some extra attendance outside of normal college hours.
Students whose artistic skills are not up to the standard required for the postgraduate course will be required to attend additional weekly artistic sessions in consultation with the Course Director.
Curriculum
The course aims to provide an introduction to anthroposophic art therapy. The curriculum is structured such that each component has a particular focus linked to the core aim. It is based on the integration of anthroposophic concepts with art and medicine.
Throughout the course, the curriculum integrates artistic practices with cognitive understanding gained through theoretical and observational approaches to health and illness, deepening the experience of art and science as an introduction to art therapy. Visiting art therapists from a variety of different professional settings will present their work. The curriculum comprises:
> Medical studies encompassing the physical and spiritual understanding of the human being. A range of anthroposophic and psychological perspectives on illness which extend medical models of understanding
> Anthroposophy and philosophy seminars to extend and deepen a cognitive understanding of the human being; a study of the biographical phases of human development
> Inner research into the realm of the human soul through art and study, supported by the study of fairytales and mythology and their transformative role in the human psyche.
> Phenomenological and experiential approaches to colour theory informed by the contributions of Goethe and Steiner
> Art history as a reflection of the evolution of human consciousness as expressed through art
> Continuous artistic development including regular tuition and studio practice in painting, drawing and sculpture
We aim to accompany each student’s journey with individual input and guidance. Students work and study in an atmosphere which promotes their continuing creative development, their independent research attitude and capacity for self-reflection. They will be part of a multi-disciplinary college which fosters mutual respect and collegial awareness between course participants.
Assessment
There is a continuous assessment of students’ progress throughout the course; written work and artistic projects are evaluated and marked, and a one-to-one review session between each student and the course director or another tutor takes place once a term.
Application Procedure
Applicants are advised to start the application procedure in good time. There is a non-refundable application fee of £30. Receipt and approval of applications will normally be followed by an interview. If the applicant is offered a place on the course they will then be asked to fill in a Student Registration Form.
This is the applicant’s formal acceptance of the place offered, and should be returned with the course deposit. When these have been received by the College, a final confirmation will be sent.
Applicants need to:
> Complete an application form
> Provide a completed medical report
> Provide a small photograph of themselves
> Send a non-refundable application fee of £30
> Give two names and addresses for personal references, one of which must be from a representative of the applicant’s recent professional or educational context. (We reserve the right to request further references if necessary)
All students are required to undergo a Criminal Records Bureau Check
Entry Requirements
Applicants are expected to present an extensive portfolio of their art work and have some familiarity with basic anthroposophical concepts and principles and are expected to have read the books detailed on the reading list prior to the start of the course.
Students who wish to undertake the postgraduate programme after completion of the Foundation Course have to fulfil the Art Therapy Course entry requirements. (See second part of this leaflet).
Please Note
Applicants who are not native English speakers need to be familiar with the English language, both written and spoken. IELTS 7.0 or equivalent will be required for the Postgraduate Art Therapy Course.
Financial Information
Foundation Course fees for 2006/7: £3,876
Of which course deposit: £ 300
Students need to budget for materials and books.
Materials purchased from Hibernia are payable termly.
The deposit is credited towards the tuition fees. £200 cover our administration costs and are non-refundable. If applicants cancel up to two weeks before the start of the course Hibernia will refund £100. After that time the whole deposit becomes non-refundable.
Fees are due at the start of the year. If for any reason other arrangements are from time to time necessary, this needs to be agreed with the Administrator in advance.
Please Note
Fees are reviewed every year.
If a student decides to leave the training, for whatever reason, clear notice must be given two weeks before the start of the new term, otherwise the next term’s fees become due. Please ask for fee policy for further details.
Financial Aid
Help with fees is not available through the College, but there are one or two work scholarships available each year. Students can apply for loans from the Godparents Anthroposophical Training Fund (for fees only) on the Postgraduate Art Therapy Course only.
Applicants from outside the UK
If you need a student visa, please ask Hibernia for a letter confirming your place on the course. You will also need to show UK immigration that you have enough money to support yourself. Further details can be obtained locally from your British embassy or consulate.
Recommended Introductory Reading for the Foundation Course
Dr Michael Evans & Iain Rodger: Healing for Body, Soul and Spirit. Floris Books. ISBN 086 315 3062
Karl König, The Human Soul. Floris Books. ISBN 086 315 042x
Rudi Lissau, Rudolf Steiner: His Life, Work, Inner Path and Social Initiatives. Hawthorn Press. ISBN 190 345 8560
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Postgraduate Art Therapy Course
Award
Masters Level (7) Award in Art Therapy
Awarding Authority
Hibernia College as Delegated Authority for City and Guild
Duration
Two Years Full-Time
Three Years Part-Time
Attendance
Full-time and part-time: Year 1: two college-based days
Year 2: one college-based days
Part-time: Year 3: one college-based day
Additional Time/Requirements
120 days of clinical work over the two/three years
Two years weekly personal therapy with a registered counsellor/ therapist
Independent Studies
Course Starts
September 2007
Course Directors
Nevo Amit
Marah Evans
Teaching Staff
Tom Burns
Michael Evans
Linda Frosch
Anna Hubbard
John Lees
Marian Liebmann
John Playfoot
Don Ratcliffe
and other guest tutors, facilitators and supervisors
Administration
Elizabeth Baker
Sibylle Eichstaedt
Postgraduate Art Therapy Course
The Masters Level Art Therapy Course is an integrated programme including seminars, lectures, experiential art therapy group work, supervision, clinical practice and tutorials.
The course includes a dynamic in-depth study of art therapy focussing on human development and psychotherapeutic, social, medical and spiritual models of understanding.
Issues such as difference and culture are explored. Anthroposophic, psychodynamic, humanistic and integrative approaches are compared, contrasted and researched. The course helps students examine how the anthroposophic and psychodynamic models work with the therapeutic relationship to facilitate the process of healing. It places due emphasis on competence, safety and good practice.
Therapy placements of 120 days of client work over two to three years are arranged with the students. This work is supervised both internally in college and externally in relation to the clinical placement. Students are firmly supported in their art practice and in exploring their work in the context of art therapy and art making.
Written assignments are required each term and can vary from between 2,000 and 4,000 words, leading to a 10,000 word mid-term case study at the end of Year 1.
A 20,000 word thesis on an art therapy related theme is submitted during the final term of Year 2 (full-time) or Year 3 (part-time).
Reflective and other methods of research are taught in preparation for this final study. Tutors and other contributors are registered and experienced art therapists or specialise in a particular branch of therapy or art.
Entry Requirements
The course is designed for people working in the field of art and design and the core caring professions – teachers, social workers, community and youth workers, counsellors, nurses, health and mental health professionals, and welfare advisors.
Applications will be encouraged from different ethnic, religious, gender, sexual and minority backgrounds. In order to fulfil the minimum entry requirements applicants will normally need:
1. Any of the following degrees, diplomas or certificates:
> an honours degree in visual or fine arts
> a degree in psychology, social science or nursing
> a diploma in social work or a certificate in education
Alternative qualifications and/or life and work experience will be considered if applicants are able to demonstrate their ability to fulfil the academic requirements of postgraduate level study, their artistic ability and their commitment. All applications will be assessed on an individual basis and have to be supported by a portfolio of art work
2. Relevant practical work experience in an appropriate setting over a duration of at least one year (minimum of 1,500 hours) either in voluntary or paid capacity
3. To be over 23 years of age
4. To demonstrate familiarity with the basic principles of the psychotherapeutic and anthroposophic approaches to therapy – by, for instance, having attended the Foundation Course at Hibernia College or equivalent
5. To comply with the terms of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act, 1974, and mental health legislation for clinical placement and employ ability in NHS LASSDs
6. Some experience of personal therapy and/or experiential group work is desirable
7. A satisfactory criminal records check
8. For non-native speakers of English, IELTS 7.0 or equivalent
We are in the process of finalising the curriculum, content and fees of the Postgraduate Art Therapy Course, therefore if you wish to receive any further information regarding the course starting in September 2007 please contact the administration office.
Hibernia College works in collaboration with the Medical Section of the Anthroposophical Society at the Goetheanum, Dornach, Switzerland and is a founder member of the European Academy for Anthroposophical Art Therapy Trainings, which was set up to provide quality control, research and development for the member trainings.
The postgraduate course in Art Therapy leads to the award of City and Guilds Membership (Level 7 equivalent to masters) and the Diploma is recognised by the Medical Section. Graduates can practice under the title ‘Anthroposophic Therapeutic Arts Practitioner’. Hibernia College is in the process of applying for validation of the postgraduate course with the Health Professions Council (HPC). Successful validation will enable future graduates who wish to work in Britain to practice under the HPC protected title of ‘art therapist’.
GENERAL INFORMATION
Attendance
It is essential that students attend a minimum of 80% of the course seminars. Longer absences may require that the missed seminar or the entire year be repeated.
Hibernia College
operates complaints policy, appeals policy and equal opportunity policy. Details can be found in the student handbook.
Living Accommodation
The school does not have its own student accommodation available. There are rooms in family households available in the district, and agencies dealing in house/apartment lettings, which are normally for six months at a time. We are happy to put prospective students in contact with these. The college cannot however make itself responsible for student housing.