December 5, 2018 | By Janet Kempf, ATR-BC, Vice-Chair, ACATE

 

The Accreditation Council for Art Therapy Education (ACATE) is currently seeking applications for members for one (1) educator slot and one (1) public member slot.  (Preference may be given to applications from the western United States area in order to ensure diverse geographic representation of the council.)  Applicants must demonstrate a commitment to art therapy education, knowledge of contemporary art therapy and allied health practice, and sensitivity to the needs of art therapy students and consumers.  Potential educator (non-public) applicants also must possess an active board certification with the Art Therapy Credentials Board (ATCB).  Due to potential conflicts of interest, ACATE asks that applicants are not presently serving as a member of the AATA Board of Directors, a member of the Art Therapy Credentials Board, or hold membership on the AATA Education Committee.

As an ACATE member you will be helping to advance the profession of art therapy! ACATE reports to the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP).  CAAHEP attests to the quality of an educational program that prepares for entry into the art therapy profession. 

Accreditation has many benefits, including:

  • For the public, accreditation promotes the health, safety, and welfare of the public by assuring competent mental health professionals.
  • For prospective students, accreditation serves a consumer protection purpose.  It provides assurance that the program has been evaluated and has met accepted standards established by and with the art therapy profession.
  • For prospective employers, it provides assurance that the curriculum covers essential skills, knowledge, and attitudes needed for today’s job market in mental health care.
  • For graduates, it offers assurance to employers of competency in the essential knowledge, skills, and attitudes needed for entry level art therapy practice.
  • For art therapists, it involves practitioners in the establishment of standards and assures that educational requirements reflect the current training needs of the profession.
  • For the profession, it advances the field by promoting standards of practice and advocating rigorous preparation.
  • For public and private funding sources, it represents a highly desirable indicator of a program’s quality and viability.
  • For the faculty and administrators, it promotes ongoing self-evaluation and continuous improvement and provides an effective system for accountability.
  • For the school or program, accreditation represents peer recognition.

Sitting ACATE members will review policies and procedures, review program requests for accreditation, and make accreditation recommendations to CAAHEP.  Each member is expected to play an active role in the governance of the organization and the review of art therapy programs and be able to commit an average of five hours per month to the committee.  ACATE meets face-to-face at least once, and likely twice, per year (one meeting typically takes place immediately prior to the AATA annual conference).  Additional monthly team videoconferencing occurs to review and discuss in detail the emerging processes that ACATE is developing.

ACATE members serve as volunteers and without compensation.  Reimbursement may be provided to members for reasonable expenses incurred to attend meetings and engage in other official business of the Council as approved by ACATE within annual budget guidelines.

 

To apply to serve on ACATE, please submit:

  • A statement of interest in serving on ACATE. Please be detailed as to why you wish to serve on the council.
  • Vitae/Resume.
  • Contact information for two professional references willing to be contacted.

Preferred application deadline is Dec 31, 2018 but positions will remain open until filled. 

 

For more information or to submit your application, please contact:

Dana Elmendorf

Chair, Accreditation Council for Art Therapy Education

acatecouncil@gmail.com

 

 

BACK TO NEWS

Loading...