Date of Award

Spring 5-2006

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Department

EVMS School of Health Professions

Program/Concentration

Art Therapy

Abstract

In 1982, Eastern Virginia Medical School (EVMS) awarded the first art therapy graduate with a Master’s Degree. Since then there have been 202 graduates through 2004.

The EVMS art therapy program has had no detailed or current information regarding the professional outcomes of its alumni. This lack of information created a need to survey EVMS art therapy graduates to determine how their careers have progressed to this point.

A survey was designed to investigate the professional outcomes of the EVMS art therapy alumni and to determine their opinions of the strengths and weaknesses of the EVMS art therapy curriculum. Of the 195 total surveys that were distributed, 73 surveys were answered and returned, resulting in a 37% response rate. All Eastern Virginia Medical School Art Therapy alumni whose email or street addresses were known were included in the survey. Participants in this study were both male and female and were contacted with an introduction letter and survey through U.S. mail and by electronic mail. Prior to 1982 graduates of the EVMS art therapy program were awarded certificates. Both certificate and degree graduates were sent surveys.

Nearly 69% of all possible graduation years were represented by at least one respondent. Fifty-nine percent of the 73 respondents to the survey currently practice art therapy. Responses to the survey indicated that 32% of respondents were licensed as professional counselors, and their level of income was significantly higher than those who were not licensed as professional counselors. Overall, 77% of alumni were moderately to highly satisfied with their education at EVMS and felt as though they were adequately prepared for a career in art therapy.

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DOI

10.25777/0aaa-vz33

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