Education Review
Applicants submitted with a graduate degree from a program that is not CAAHEP-accredited or AATA-approved* must undergo an education review process to ensure coursework aligns with the education requirements outlined in the registration standards. Please thoroughly familiarize yourself with the Registration Standards, as you will be required to demonstrate your familiarity with the ATR education requirements throughout this process.
* If you have a master’s degree or higher from a program approved by AATA or accredited by CAAHEP at graduation, you do not require an education review. If the program is no longer approved, the applicant is responsible for obtaining verification of past approval directly from AATA or CAAHEP and submitting that verification along with the application.
Accreditation through the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) assesses the quality of institutions, programs, and services, measuring them against accepted quality standards. The accreditation process is designed to evaluate and ensure these standards are met. The CAAHEP standards by which these programs are measured have been developed primarily by the professionals involved in each discipline; for art therapy, this is approved by the Accreditation Council for Art Therapy Education (ACATE) and intended to reflect the required knowledge and skills that a person needs to function as a qualified art therapist. CAAHEP and ACATE Standards focus on quality outcomes, ensuring that educational programs prepare competent graduates.
American Art Therapy Association (AATA) approved education programs are reviewed by the Education Committee. The purpose of the Education Committee is to serve the art therapy profession and the general public. AATA approves educational programs preparing students for practice as art therapists. Approved degree programs must meet the standards adopted by the AATA.
ATCB does accept applications from candidates who did not graduate from a CAAHEP-accredited graduate program or a post-master master’s degree certificate program; however, these applications undergo an education review to ensure the education requirements of the registration standards are met. When completing the ATR-P or ATR application, the application will prompt for information about an applicant’s education. Based on these prompts, the system will direct applicants if an application review is required. For an application review, applicants must upload their Coursework Verification form and provide the name and email of the individual who will complete their Verification of Practicum/Internship. The National Office will contact these individuals on the applicant’s behalf.
Once all supporting application documents are received, the application will move to “In Review”; review times can take eight to twelve weeks. You will be notified when your application has finished the review; you can check the status of your application review process on your MyATCB portal. Applications are reviewed in the order of receipt. An application enters the formal review process once all requirements are met from the date of application submission. Failure to complete all required items will result in the need for additional reviews. Subsequent reviews can take up to eight weeks from document receipt.