Norwegian version
Three master students in art therapy at OsloMet are standing in front of a colored sheet of paper with different words written on it. One of the students is adding a new word to the sheet while the other two are looking on.

Art Therapy

Master's degree

Art Therapy is for those who want in-depth knowledge and skills of the theoretical, methodological and practical aspects of art therapy and who are motivated by interdisciplinary research of art therapy. Art Therapy is a specialisation in the Part-Time Master of Aesthetic Practices in Society.

Semester start

Admission requirements

To apply for this program you must have one of these: 

  • bachelor's degree or equivalent in social and/or health care, teacher education, psychology, pedagogy, or theology
  • bachelor's degree in visual arts/ and/or design with 60 credits studies in social and/or health care, psychology, or pedagogy such as art therapy, art education or PPU

You must also have:

You also need one of the following:

  • English from a Norwegian or Nordic upper secondary school and a bachelor's degree from Norway or the Nordic countries
  • at least 4 in English from upper secondary school
  • proof of your English proficiency

Applicants will be ranked on the basis of grade average from their bachelor's degree.

How to apply

You apply via Søknadsweb.

Application deadlines:

  • 1 March: early admission for applicants from the European Union, the European Economic Area (EEA) and Switzerland, and for non-EU/EEA citizens with a Norwegian national ID number residing in Norway
  • 5-15 March: period for submitting motivation letter early admission
  • 15 April: ordinary admission for applicants from the European Union, the European Economic Area (EEA) and Switzerland, and for non-EU/EEA citizens with a Norwegian national ID number residing in Norway
  • 1-25 April: period for submitting motivation letter ordinary admission

Portal for submitting letter of motivation (student.oslomet.no)

The part-time programme has admission every three years, starting in 2024. The next will be in 2027. 

More about admission to master's programmes.

Programme cost

There is no tuition fee. You only pay a semester fee each semester (student.oslomet.no)

You must also expect expenses for, among other things, equipment, materials and software for your own creative work and tasks related to the studies. 

Programme content

Art Therapy integrates knowledge of the use of art materials and creative process with psychological theories, therapeutic methods, and research. It focuses on how art therapy is used in different contexts within mental health, somatic care, social work, or in educational or cultural contexts.  

You will learn how to develop interventions and methods to work with prevention, treatment, rehabilitation, or recovery, based on different clients’ needs and evidence from previous research. 

The specialisation also introduces how different assessment and evaluation methods can be used to study user experience, art therapy process or outcome.

Throughout your studies, you will reflect on personal experiences in relation to art therapeutic relationship and methods, professional practice, and ethics. 

The study includes practical training under professional supervision. 

Students are expected to become creative and reflective actors who can influence the current practice of prevention and rehabilitation of health-related challenges.

The programme has an international, interdisciplinary and professional perspective on art therapy practice and research. 

Programme description (student.oslomet.no)

How the programme is taught

You will get a variation of 

  • lectures 
  • seminars 
  • workshops 
  • supervision 
  • teamwork 

The part-time programme combines classroom teaching at campus and remote teaching. 

Learning is also based on individual and group-based work and supervision via the internet using asynchronous and synchronous communication. 

Instructions will be in English. All course requirements and exams can be written either in a Scandinavian language or in English.

Programme structure

Optional course Spans multiple semesters

1st year of study

Kunst- og designdidaktikk
1st semester
Kunstterapi

2nd year of study

Kunst- og designdidaktikk
4th semester
Kunstterapi
4th semester

3rd year of study

Kunst- og designdidaktikk
5th semester
6th semester
Kunstterapi
5th semester
6th semester

4th year of study

Kunst- og designdidaktikk
7th semester
Kunstterapi
7th semester

Suitability assessment

Pursuant to the Act relating to Universities and University Colleges § 4.10, the university must make an overall assessment of a student’s academic and personal prerequisites for being able to function in the profession.

Suitability assessment (student.oslomet.no)

Career

The Art Therapy specialisation provides various opportunities for a career in the public or private sector. After completing the programme you have the skills to practice art therapy in different societal contexts such as social-, health-, pedagogical or cultural contexts. 

The master’s degree also provides the opportunity to work with service and professional development, research and teaching. 

The specialisation in Art Therapy will help respond to the growing regional and national mental health needs of people from all age groups and with different cultural backgrounds. It will help respond to future societal needs and development in a field in which there are no comparable programs nationally.

The programme qualifies you to apply for research training and doctoral programmes.

Further studies at OsloMet

Questions about studying at OsloMet

You can contact us by e-mail with any questions about studying at OsloMet, the application process and life as a student.

If you have specific questions about the degree, you can contact the faculty directly by e-mail.

Academic coordinator

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