MASTER'S

IN ART THERAPY

100% ONLINE & BLENDED

Metàfora is a pioneer in Art Therapy training in Spain. In 1999, in collaboration with the University of Barcelona, we launched the first Art Therapy Master’s program in the Spanish-speaking world. Over the years, Metàfora’s Postgraduate and Master’s training in Art Therapy has grown into an internationally recognised reference.

GENERAL INFORMATION

INTRODUCTION

The Master’s in Art Therapy, offered in a blended or fully online format, prepares students to develop professionally as art therapists in Spain and internationally.

Throughout the program, students consolidate and expand the theoretical and practical knowledge acquired in the Postgraduate Diploma in Art Therapy and Community Art, further deepening their personal development and professional competencies for the practice of art therapy.

The program places clinical practice and supervision at its core as essential pillars of training, providing the necessary preparation to work in a variety of contexts and with diverse populations. The theoretical modules develop the theoretical and methodological framework of art therapy, psychodynamic psychology, and artistic language, integrating this knowledge into clinical practice.

ACCESS

To enroll in the Master’s in Art Therapy, applicants must:

Have successfully completed the Postgraduate Diploma in Art Therapy and Community Art at Metàfora.
Hold a university degree.
Be over 23 years of age.
Possess an English language proficiency equivalent to C1. An official certificate is not required, but students must have sufficient language skills to follow classes and actively participate in the master’s activities.
Reside in a country with a time difference no greater than +3 hours (eastward) or −9 hours (westward) from Spain, due to the program’s scheduled timetable.

LEARNING METHODOLOGY

The learning methodology of the Master’s in Art Therapy is participatory and experiential, in line with the psychodynamic approach that underpins the teaching of the discipline. Student training goes beyond the acquisition of theoretical knowledge, promoting its integration and application in real-world contexts through supervised clinical practice.

Case analysis, experiential groups, and clinical practice are structured within the supervision space, where the fundamental competencies for professional art therapy practice are developed and evaluated.

DEGREE AND PROFESSIONAL RECOGNITION

As a standard criterion for calculating the workload of Metàfora’s art therapy training, the European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System (ECTS) is used, where 25 hours (including class time and independent study) are equivalent to 1 ECTS credit. This is a university-level postgraduate diploma accredited by both the ATe (Spanish Professional Association of Art Therapists) and FEAPA (Spanish Federation of Professional Art Therapy Associations).

Upon completion of the Master’s program, students receive a graduation diploma and a certificate of studies, which can be used to apply for professional recognition in Spain and abroad. These procedures must be managed individually by each graduate and are subject to the requirements and regulations established by the competent authorities in each country.

metàfora master's in art therapy program

“Studying the Master’s in Art Therapy at Metàfora opened up new ways for me to accompany others with greater awareness and depth. It has been a truly enriching experience that has shaped both my professional path and my personal growth.”

Lucas Bennett, Canada

Who is the program aimed at?

The program is primarily aimed at individuals interested in pursuing a professional career as art therapists, coming from the fields of art, education, health, and social care.

Each year, Metàfora brings together a community of students from diverse nationalities across all five continents, whose cultural diversity enriches and shapes the learning experience.

Objectives

Consolidate theoretical and clinical knowledge in art therapy and psychodynamic psychology.
Integrate theory, experiential learning, and clinical practice through ongoing supervision.
Acquire competencies for working with diverse populations and engaging in interdisciplinary practice in professional settings.
Develop the use of artistic expression as a tool for understanding the creative and therapeutic process.
Strengthen students’ reflective capacity and professional identity.

“Throughout the Master’s, I carried out my clinical placements in my own country, with consistent guidance through supervision. Engaging with real cases while feeling supported at every stage helped me gain confidence and shape a strong therapeutic approach.”

Eleni Kosta, Greece

Clinical Placements: The Core of the Training

At the start of the Master’s, students have the necessary preparation to begin their clinical placements, which involve designing and implementing art therapy interventions in real-world settings, always under supervision.

Placements take place in partner institutions both in Spain and internationally. Metàfora has an extensive network of centers, and placements are assigned based on each student’s profile, with the possibility of proposing new host organizations if needed.

Social component

The placement project brings art therapy closer to vulnerable groups and supports their integration in areas such as education, mental health, hospitals, and social services.

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Structure of the Training and Clinical Placements

Workload

The program is part-time and compatible with other responsibilities. In addition to attending classes, students are expected to dedicate approximately 10 hours per week to independent study.

Clinical Placements

Year 1: 5 hours per week on-site at the placement center
Year 2: 8 hours per week on-site at the placement center

Placements include direct intervention, participation in team meetings, and clinical documentation.
Total: 700 hours of clinical practice

Supervision

Supervision takes place weekly in small groups and is a key component of the training. It provides a supportive space to reflect on clinical cases and to develop each student’s therapeutic perspective.

Schedule and Calendar

The program has a total duration of eighteen months, spread over two academic years, running from October to June. The Master’s in Art Therapy is offered in blended (partially in-person) and online formats.

Online format:

Every Friday from 4:00 PM to 9:00 PM, plus one weekend per month during the same hours.

During the second year classes are on Fridays from 16:00 to 21:00.

Blended format:

During the first year of the Master’s, classes are held online every Friday from 4:00 PM to 9:00 PM, plus one weekend per month, with Saturdays in person from 4:00 PM to 9:00 PM and Sundays online from 4:00 PM to 9:00 PM.

During the second year classes are online on Fridays from 16:00 to 21:00.

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Got any questions?

FEES

Pre-admission fee 250€
Reservation fee 540€
Total price 6.695€ (includes the pre-admission and reservation fees)

Payment in Installments

3 INSTALLMENTS	6 INSTALLMENTS
Pre-admission fee 250€	Pre-admission fee 250€
Reservation fee 540€	Reservation fee 540€
Installment 0 (required to be eligible for payment in installments) 2,890€	Installment 0 (required to be eligible for payment in installments) 2,890€
Installments 1, 2 and 3 December / March / June (quarterly) 1055,3 €	Installments 1–6 December / March / June September / December / March (bi-quarterly) 542,7€

FAQS

What are the steps to enroll in the Master’s program?

Complete (or be enrolled in) the Postgraduate Diploma in Art Therapy and Community Arts at Metàfora.
Complete the application form provided by the admissions team (application period: April 10th to June 5th).
Pay the pre-admission fee (€250).
Application review: the Academic Committee will assess your application and determine whether you have been accepted.
Confirm your place: once admitted, you will need to pay the reservation fee and later complete the remaining balance of the program.

Is it necessary to complete the Postgraduate before the Master’s?

The Postgraduate Diploma is necessary for admission to the master’s in art therapy because the training follows a sequential structure. It acts as the second stage of the program. Furthermore, since clinical internships begin right from the start of the master’s program, it’s crucial that enrolled students are prepared to excel in a professional setting.

If I lack experience in psicology, can I access training in art therapy?

Yes. All the knowledge and foundational skills required for the Master’s are covered during the Postgraduate Diploma, which prepares you to successfully progress in the program.

Are the sessions recorded?

We ask that students attend live to fully engage with the experience and get the most out of the classes.

On another hand, the sessions are not recorded in order to respect privacy and ensure protection. During the classes, materials and works created by patients in art therapy sessions will be shared, so taking photos or recording the classes is not permitted.

Are there scholarships or study aid?

Metàfora is an independent school that does not receive funding or grants from outside entities, so unfortunately we cannot offer scholarships. However, we do offer payment in installments for the Master’s.