Q: What are the different levels of Art Therapy Education in Canada, and how do I choose the right one?

In Canada, there are two levels of art therapy education: diploma programs like the ones offered at VATI – a post-graduate diploma as well as Master’s degrees in art therapy (offered by only 4 degree-granting universities in Canada). Finding the right level of art therapy education for you really depends on the type of work you want to do when you graduate. If you already have a Master’s degree in another related subject (i.e., counselling, social work, psychology, etc.), you might want to add the art therapy knowledge and skills through either of our diploma program streams (Distance or Onsite diploma streams), rather than completing a second Master’s degree. If you have a Master’s degree in an allied subject (i.e., teaching or fine art, etc.), again depending upon where you live and what type of work you want to do when you graduate, the diploma might be a perfect choice for you. A VATI diploma allows graduates to call themselves art therapists and practice under that title. VATI graduates with a Master’s degree could potentially also register with a variety of counselling organizations and regulatory bodies such as the BCACC, CCPA, CRPO, ACCT, etc., and then be eligible to be funded by clients’ extended health benefits. Ontario is currently one of the exceptions provincially, as graduates of VATI who do not have a Master’s degree can apply to the CRPO to eventually become a registered psychotherapist. Similarly, to be a member of ACCT, a Master’s degree is not required; however, ACCT is not recognized in all provinces.

Q: Do I need a Master’s degree to practice art therapy in Canada?

The answer to this question is that it depends on your specific situation and where you live in Canada. Each province in Canada regulates the practice of Mental Health Services differently; while some provinces do require a Master’s degree in order to be part of provincially regulated colleges for counselling therapy or psychotherapy, others do not. Many of our BA level graduates do eventually add the Master’s degree in counselling so they will be competitive with other Master’s level counsellors when applying for work in hospitals, agencies, and schools that often require an MA or MC to be eligible to apply. As well many students choose to start with an art therapy diploma program (offered for less time and money than a full Master’s degree) as there is an advantage of acquiring skills and creating experiences (with 600 hours of clinical placements) in the field that are invaluable when eventually applying to a competitive Master’s degree program. Some diploma students at the BA level do find work directly in the field without a Master’s degree, and/or operate very successful art therapy private practices. Please note, that with a BA degree, VATI diploma graduates are also eligible to register with the CRPO in Ontario. We are a recognized program with the CRPO, which means that if you are applying for registration, you do not need to provide detailed information about your education and training, thus simplifying the application process.

Q: What does the VATI diploma offer me?

With a VATI diploma, graduates earn the title Art Therapist . They are then eligible to apply for membership with any of the Canadian art therapy associations. With a VATI diploma, graduates can apply for membership with any Canadian art therapy association and be called a “Professional” member. With this title (Professional Art Therapist) members can buy liability insurance, operate as an art therapist and be a part of the larger art therapy community. With the addition of 1,000 hours of client contact time (post-graduation) along with 50 (post-graduation) supervision hours, art therapy association members can then apply to become a “Registered” member. Being a Registered Art Therapist allows members to both teach art therapy and supervise other art therapists, if that is of interest. As well, with a VATI diploma, other organizations (such as the BCACC, CRPO, ACCT along with others) may be options to apply to – again, depending upon where you live and sometimes including other courses from past educational experiences.

Question 1

What are the different levels of Art Therapy Education in Canada, and how do I choose the right one?

Accepted Answer

In Canada, there are two levels of art therapy education: diploma programs like the ones offered at VATI – a post-graduate diploma as well as Master’s degrees in art therapy (offered by only 4 degree-granting universities in Canada). Finding the right level of art therapy education for you really depends on the type of work you want to do when you graduate. If you already have a Master’s degree in another related subject (i.e., counselling, social work, psychology, etc.), you might want to add the art therapy knowledge and skills through either of our diploma program streams (Distance or Onsite diploma streams), rather than completing a second Master’s degree. If you have a Master’s degree in an allied subject (i.e., teaching or fine art, etc.), again depending upon where you live and what type of work you want to do when you graduate, the diploma might be a perfect choice for you. A VATI diploma allows graduates to call themselves art therapists and practice under that title. VATI graduates with a Master’s degree could potentially also register with a variety of counselling organizations and regulatory bodies such as the BCACC, CCPA, CRPO, ACCT, etc., and then be eligible to be funded by clients’ extended health benefits. Ontario is currently one of the exceptions provincially, as graduates of VATI who do not have a Master’s degree can apply to the CRPO to eventually become a registered psychotherapist. Similarly, to be a member of ACCT, a Master’s degree is not required; however, ACCT is not recognized in all provinces.

Question 2

Do I need a Master’s degree to practice art therapy in Canada?

Accepted Answer

The answer to this question is that it depends on your specific situation and where you live in Canada. Each province in Canada regulates the practice of Mental Health Services differently; while some provinces do require a Master’s degree in order to be part of provincially regulated colleges for counselling therapy or psychotherapy, others do not.

Many of our BA level graduates do eventually add the Master’s degree in counselling so they will be competitive with other Master’s level counsellors when applying for work in hospitals, agencies, and schools that often require an MA or MC to be eligible to apply.

As well many students choose to start with an art therapy diploma program (offered for less time and money than a full Master’s degree) as there is an advantage of acquiring skills and creating experiences (with 600 hours of clinical placements) in the field that are invaluable when eventually applying to a competitive Master’s degree program.

Some diploma students at the BA level do find work directly in the field without a Master’s degree, and/or operate very successful art therapy private practices. Please note, that with a BA degree, VATI diploma graduates are also eligible to register with the CRPO in Ontario. We are a recognized program with the CRPO, which means that if you are applying for registration, you do not need to provide detailed information about your education and training, thus simplifying the application process.

Question 3

What does the VATI diploma offer me?

Accepted Answer

With a VATI diploma, graduates earn the title Art Therapist. They are then eligible to apply for membership with any of the Canadian art therapy associations.

With a VATI diploma, graduates can apply for membership with any Canadian art therapy association and be called a “Professional” member. With this title (Professional Art Therapist) members can buy liability insurance, operate as an art therapist and be a part of the larger art therapy community. With the addition of 1,000 hours of client contact time (post-graduation) along with 50 (post-graduation) supervision hours, art therapy association members can then apply to become a “Registered” member. Being a Registered Art Therapist allows members to both teach art therapy and supervise other art therapists, if that is of interest.

As well, with a VATI diploma, other organizations (such as the BCACC, CRPO, ACCT along with others) may be options to apply to – again, depending upon where you live and sometimes including other courses from past educational experiences.

Question 4

What is the difference between the two VATI art therapy program streams?

Accepted Answer

The main difference between the two program streams is a service delivery difference. The Advanced Diploma (AD) has been designed for students who live at a distance. There are two summer intensives to complete the more experiential classes (two weeks in the first summer and one week in the second summer). In contrast, the 18-month Onsite Diploma has monthly weekend classes for several months in order to complete those experiential classes, making it more convenient for those students who live locally.

Another small difference is that the AD Distance program has 20 hours of small group supervision with 25 hours of individual supervision (or up to 50 hours of dyad supervision); while the Onsite program stream offers 68 hours of small group supervision. As well. the AD program starts every July, while the 18-month Diploma starts every September.

The two diploma streams actually share more things in common:

The two program streams result in the same credential (a diploma from the Vancouver Art Therapy institute – DVATI).
They are both the same length, 18 months long.
They are both blended learning models including: online, zoom and in-person classes, as well as having a 600-hour clinical placement component and final project requirement.
Each VATI diploma stream offers the same courses. They are just offered in a different order, and sometimes in a different educational format (online, zoom, or in-person).
Both program streams have the same prerequisites: a Master’s degree. However, on a case-by-case basis a Bachelor’s degree along with significant work experience (8-10 years) will be considered in both program streams.
The cost of each diploma is the same.
The application deadline is March 30, and application pieces (see application form) are exactly the same for both program streams.

Choosing which VATI diploma is best for you is often a personal decision about which schedule and calendar best fits your personal needs. Please email the Director of Art Therapy Programs for current calendars: laura@vati.bc.ca

Question 5

I am an international applicant. Can I still apply to study at VATI?

Accepted Answer

International applicants are encouraged to apply for the Distance Program. While study permits to live in Canada and study at VATI are limited and not guaranteed, international students can come to each brief summer residency without the need for a Canadian Student Visa, as the duration of stay is too short to need a student visa. Students then return home to complete the clinical placement, build new art therapy networks and connections close to home, and complete the online learning portions of the program via distance.

If you have an international degree, our accreditors (the PTIRU) ask that in addition to your application that you also use a degree evaluation service (i.e., WES – World Education Services for Credential Evaluation) to determine that your degree is equivalent to a Canadian Master’s or Bachelor’s degree). A basic evaluation is all that is required.

Question 6

English is not my first language. Can I still apply to VATI?

Accepted Answer

VATI requires all of our students to have a degree of English proficiency. In order to support students to be successful during their studies at VATI, we recommend students to function at a certain level of English language ability. Given the blended nature of all the programs at VATI (that include both face-to-face and online studies) and to perform the required academic tasks, it is important to for applicants to function well with English reading, listening, speaking and writing skills. If you haven’t previously studied in English we do ask for:

TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language)
If you do the internet-based TOEFL exam, then the score that is required is 85.
If you complete the paper-based exam, the score that is required is 575.
IELTS (International English Language Testing System)
If you complete a IELTS test the score we require is 6.5
All results will be valid for 1 year after the test is taken.

Question 7

I would like to try art therapy myself before I commit to a program of study– where can I find an art therapist?

Accepted Answer

One of the best ways to become more familiar with art therapy, is to try it. You can find art therapist directories with each art therapy Association, or with a quick google search of your area. VATI also has a free online art therapy clinic that our students, who are under supervision obtain, clinical practice hours in. For more information, about how to be a client in our virtual student art therapy clinic, please email: info@vati.bc.ca

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