ACATE CANVAS

A semi-annual newsletter brought to you by the ACATE Council

VOLUME 5, ISSUE 1

January 2025

The Accreditation Council for Art Therapy Education (ACATE) provides the semi-annual ACATE Canvas newsletter to inform its many stakeholders of the progress of art therapy program accreditation generally and the actions of the Council more specifically.

ACATE Announces Adoption of Revised CAAHEP Standards and Guidelines for the Accreditation of Educational Programs in Art Therapy

At its November meeting, the Board of Directors of the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) approved the revisions to the CAAHEP Standards and Guidelines for the Accreditation of Educational Programs in Art Therapy.

Prior to the Open Hearing held on September 24, ACATE reviewed the 57 comments that were received during the preceding public comment period. A significant number of those comments suggested changes in specific wording. Much of the terminology in the Standards is part of the CAAHEP template for all allied health professions and, therefore, is unchangeable. Many of the terms deemed "vague" by the commenters were intentionally broad to allow for individual program autonomy and flexibility. For language more specific to the art therapy profession, the ACATE opted to maintain the phraseology developed by the Standards Revision Ad Hoc Review Committees over months of deliberation during the revision process.

One suggested edit was adopted to enhance the understanding of the qualifications for Practicum/Internship Coordinator (see Standard III.B.4.b.). Additionally, the topic of requiring that Program Directors hold a doctoral degree was revisited. The ACATE recognizes that, although a terminal degree is preferred, at this time, this requirement would place a burden on programs already strapped to find qualified art therapy educators and this subject was tabled for consideration during future revisions.

There were a number of comments related to two important topics: student-to-faculty/supervisor ratios and curriculum content.

Regarding ratios, while ACATE understands the value and utility of specifying numbers, CAAHEP and ACATE are committed to individual program autonomy. This does not mean that there are no mechanisms in place for addressing non-compliance with the Standards or for evaluating the efficacy and quality of the student experience, for example, many concerns related to ratios may be addressed under Standard III.A. Resources or Appendix B.4.b.8. Content Area B.8. Supervision and Consultation. Furthermore, while acknowledging that other bodies, such as CACREP, COAMFTE, or MPCAC, do provide ratios, it is helpful to note that ACATE is not the accrediting body, CAAHEP is. And, as noted, CAAHEP is tasked with standardizing core principles across more than 30 health science professions.

Substantial attention was focused on the details of Appendix B: Curriculum Competency Requirements for Educational Programs in Art Therapy. During the review of the comments, it appeared that many of the commenters were interpreting the content areas as single courses. Additionally, it seemed that individual competencies were not considered within the context of the overall description of the content area(s). In response to those concerns, the ACATE considered the description provided for Appendix B.2. Core Curriculum Content Areas, which states:

The following Core Curriculum content areas describe required curriculum content but do not refer to course titles or required courses. The Core Curriculum content areas are more specifically delineated into competencies that allow programs to have goal-defining minimum expectations to prepare entry-level Art Therapists.

with the following guidelines:

Programs may combine content into a single course or distribute content over multiple courses as they develop curriculum to address program mission, goals, and outcomes. Attention to state licensing requirements also may assist in determining course structure and content.

As such, the concerns were reviewed with consideration of program autonomy to determine the depth and breadth of each content area topic.

The new Standards will be posted on the CAAHEP website with an effective date of January 1, 2026. During 2025, there will be an implementation period for ACATE and programs to bring their processes into alignment, as outlined below. As you can see, ACATE is actively updating its policies and procedures, self-guide, and review guides, which we hope to complete by the end of February.

11/16/24 – 06/30/25

ACATE updates policies and procedures, self-guide, and review guides. ACATE publishes documents on its website and distributes documents to art therapy programs.
Programs review the revised standards and related policies, and implement any changes needed in the program.

07/01/25 – 09/15/25 2024-2025 Annual Reports submitted will comply with old standards.

07/01/25 – 12/30/25 Self-studies submitted may comply with either the old or new standards.

*01/01/26 Effective Date*

01/01/26 & beyond Self-studies submitted must comply with the new standards.

07/01/26 & beyond 2025-2026 Annual Reports submitted must comply with new standards.

The ACATE wishes to extend heartfelt appreciation to all who submitted comments and input during the years-long revision process.

Janet Kempf Receives ACATE Outstanding Site Evaluator Award

The Dana Elmendorf Outstanding Site Evaluator Award recognizes site evaluators for their outstanding contributions to ACATE’s mission of ensuring the high quality of site visit policies and procedures. The award is granted annually to a site evaluator who has demonstrated exemplary service to the council. This year ACATE is pleased to recognize the efforts of Dr. Janet Kempf.

Janet K. Kempf, PhD, LPC, ATR-BC, NCC is a clinical mental health counselor, registered and board-certified art therapist, and instructor in the Counseling and Art Therapy Program at Macon & Joan Brock Virginia Health Sciences at Old Dominion University. She earned a Master of Arts in Art Therapy from the University of Louisville in 2001. Janet served as one of the founding Practitioner Members of ACATE from 2016 through 2024 and actively contributed through her leadership roles as Vice Chair and Chair. During her tenure with ACATE, she earned a Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Union Institute and University and a PhD in Counselor Education from the University of Toledo. Janet’s service to ACATE was instrumental in her decision to pursue additional training and transition to the role of an educator. Janet’s clinical experience includes working with clients of all ages in outpatient, crisis stabilization, and residential settings. Her educational experience includes teaching a variety of undergraduate and graduate art therapy and counseling courses. She presently serves the art therapy profession as a director on the Art Therapy Credentials Board (ATCB) and remains interested in best practices utilized in art therapy and counselor education. Janet stated she is honored to be recognized for her work as a site evaluator while a member of the council and shares this recognition with her colleagues who have and continue to work hard to promote the art therapy profession through their service to ACATE.

Recent CAAHEP/ACATE Accreditation Actions

In the past six months, ACATE completed the review of another art therapy degree program, leading to accreditation approval for eight years by the Council on Accreditation of Allied Health Educations Programs (CAAHEP). CAAHEP is the parent accrediting body for ACATE and dozens of other accreditation councils and commissions. Congratulations to the following program for its newly accredited art therapy master’s program.

Cedar Crest College – Allentown, PA

This program joins 36 previously accredited art therapy programs already listed on the ACATE/CAAHEP website. Additionally, two programs have completed their site visits and are expected to be awarded accreditation in the near future, and another program plans to submit its self-study this month.

ACATE Approves New Accreditation Policies

With a focus on continuous quality improvement, ACATE engaged in a review of existing policy and approved numerous minor policy changes to provide clearer guidelines. These updates and additions to ACATE Policies and Procedures can be seen in detail on the ACATE/CAAHEP website on the page numbers indicated.

VI.E. Required Information for Annual Reports, pp. 22-23

ACATE policy outlines the requirements for annual reporting. While past policy provided an overview of needed elements, annual report submissions revealed areas for improved communication related to reporting of Personnel qualifications. Additionally, in conjunction with the approval of the revised Standards, policy specific to Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs) was adjusted requiring programs to create three to six SLOs and report on the analysis of all program SLOs each year. Programs will evaluate each SLO with at least two measurement instruments. While programs are required to be in full compliance with the Standards by 2026, programs were encouraged to adopt the new policy on SLOs at their earliest convenience.

IX. Accreditation Fees, pp. 25-28

To provide more transparency related to deadlines for submissions and payments, ACATE reviewed the language pertaining to existing policy. During this review, it was noted that the late fee structure was ambiguous and, thus, policy revisions define specific dates, where possible. One new policy was adopted to address late submission of annual reports.

VII. Administrative Requirements and Extension of Submission Deadlines, pp. 23-24

ACATE refined policies addressing the requirements for substantive changes in program director to address instances when an individual that does not meet the qualifications as outlined in Standard III.B. for program director may fulfill those duties and responsibilities on an interim basis. Additional details specific to requests for extension of submission deadlines were added.

Additionally, during the Town Hall meetings held in August, there was overwhelming support for changing the manner in which Graduate Surveys are sent. In response to requests, ACATE now recommends that programs send the Graduate Feedback Survey and the Graduate Placement Survey as one mailing with two links - a link to each of the surveys - sent out approximately six months after graduation. Our hope is that one mailing will reduce "survey fatigue" for grads and PDs alike and will increase response rates.

Become a Council Member – Educator, Practitioner, or Public Member

Are you interested in making an impact on emerging art therapists? Are you looking for ways to connect with other professionals – or maybe just “beef up” your resume? ACATE is currently seeking applications and nominations for positions that will become open on July 1, 2025. Please consider applying or nominating someone whom you believe will work tirelessly to promote best practices for art therapy educational programs, help ACATE implement the newly revised art therapy standards, and create and improve processes for accredited programs to pursue continuing accreditation. ACATE members serve rotating three-year terms, with no member serving longer than two consecutive terms.

Required Qualifications and Professional Experience

Educator and Practitioner candidates must be ATR-BC credentialed and possess knowledge of, experience with, and/or willingness to learn about the higher education accreditation process, e.g., experience with other accrediting, licensure, or certification bodies.

Educator Member: May be either a full time, part time, or adjunct faculty member currently teaching in an art therapy program with experience in curriculum design and program assessment.
Practitioner Member: May be either a provider of art therapy or a supervisor of practitioners and who can highlight the needs of consumers of art therapy services and graduates under supervision.
Public Member: An informed person with a broad community point of view who can provide an outside perspective on accreditation issues, represent the public in the work of the council, and pay special attention to the public interest. A public member may not be a member of the art therapy profession or affiliated in any capacity with a CAAHEP-accredited art therapy program (e.g., faculty, staff, or administrator in or overseeing a CAAHEP-accredited art therapy program).

For more information or to submit materials contact: acatecouncil@gmail.com

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