ACATE CANVAS

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

VOLUME 5, ISSUE 2

July 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.

The ATCB Joins AATA as a Sponsoring Organization

ACATE welcomes the Art Therapy Credentials Board (ATCB) as a Sponsoring Organization member of the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) supporting the Accreditation Council for Art Therapy Education.

What is a sponsoring organization? Sponsoring Organizations are members that support one or more Committees on Accreditation (CoA) and the CAAHEP accreditation system. Most sponsoring organizations are national professional organizations that have concerns or responsibilities for the quality of personnel prepared in educational programs accredited by CAAHEP. There are currently over 65 sponsoring organizations that meet these criteria, participating in CAAHEP’s governance and helping to achieve its mission. Sponsoring Organizations support CoAs by providing expertise in health science disciplines and related fields, and a voice in setting educational Standards used to accredit educational

Programs.

Haley Fox Elected ACATE Vice Chair

Haley Fox, MA, LPC/LMHC/LPCC, PhD, ATR-BCCS, MT-BC, REAT has been elected to a two-year term as ACATE Vice Chair. Haley is an ACATE Practitioner Member and an experienced university professor, trainer, public speaker, performer, researcher and author in Forsyth, Missouri.

As vice chair, Haley supports the elected leader of ACATE, serves on the Executive Committee, and participates in the review and monitoring of art therapy master’s degree programs that are CAAHEP-accredited upon recommendation of ACATE. The Vice Chair performs the duties of the Chair in the absence of the Council Chair and is in line to be the successor when the Chair fulfills their term.

ACATE Welcomes Two New Council Members

On July 1, 2025, ACATE welcomed two new members to the Council:

• Nicholas Denson, MA, LCPC, ATR-BC, NCC, Practitioner Member

North Las Vegas, Nevada

• Amber Przybyla, LCPC, ATR-BC, Practitioner Member

Evanston, Illinois

Recent CAAHEP/ACATE Accreditation Actions

The Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) awarded initial accreditation to two additional Art Therapy master’s programs. The CAAHEP Board approved the accreditation recommendation by the Accreditation Council for Art Therapy Education (ACATE) for the art therapy graduate program on March 24, 2025. CAAHEP is the parent accrediting body for ACATE and dozens of other accreditation councils and committees.

To date, 39 art therapy master’s programs have received initial accreditation from CAAHEP upon the recommendation of ACATE.

Congratulations to:

Antioch University New England

Keene, New Hampshire

Syracuse University

Syracuse, New York

Introducing the CAAHEP Academy: A New Resource for Allied Health Programs

The CAAHEP Academy is a learning management system designed for all stakeholders involved in the accreditation of allied health education programs. Whether you are a member of the Committee on Accreditation, a site visitor, a program director, a dean, or an administrator, the Academy offers a range of educational modules tailored to your needs.

These modules will cover essential topics, including:

General Accreditation: Understand the fundamentals and importance of accreditation in allied health.
Overview of CAAHEP: Gain insight into what CAAHEP represents and its role in the accreditation process.
Training for Site Visitors: Specific training to prepare for site visits and ensure effective evaluation.
Expectations for Site Visits: Learn what to anticipate during the accreditation site visit process.
And More: Additional resources and training tailored to various roles within allied health education.

In addition to resources for professionals, the Academy will also feature a dedicated section for students and prospective students. This section will highlight the significance of accreditation and guide individuals on what to look for when selecting an allied health program.

The Accreditation Council for Art Therapy Education (ACATE) has volunteered to assist CAAHEP as the first Committee on Accreditation to have access the CAAHEP Academy. ACATE is testing the system and developing a portal for art therapy programs and their members, ensuring that the unique needs of this field are met.

Stay tuned for more information about the CAAHEP Academy launching this fall and take advantage of this valuable resource to enhance your understanding and engagement in the accreditation process.

Thank you to our Sponsoring Organizations

ACATE | PO Box 804 | Southwest Harbor, ME 04679 US

acatecouncil@gmail.com | www.caahep.org/acate