Program Highlights

The only program in Israel offered in English. Practical training begins in the first semester. For students who are interested, the program also offers a Hebrew ulpan to support professional integration into the workplace.
Ono International School offers a Master's Degree program specializing in Visual Art Therapy, led by esteemed lecturers with extensive therapeutic backgrounds. Our educators present engaging case studies and innovative treatment methods, many of which have gained international recognition and are taught across various academic institutions. We pride ourselves on creating a personal, nurturing, and enriching learning environment that supports the growth and development of our students
The combination of rich academic coursework, structured practical training, and dedicated supervision prepares students for the real-world demands of therapeutic practice. The program supports personal development throughout the learning process, guiding students toward meaningful, service-oriented careers. Core areas of emphasis include group facilitation, cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), and parent training

Overview

Head of the Department: Dr. Liat Shamri-Zeevi

Head of the International Art Therapy Program: Anat Wolf

Who is this program for?

If you are driven by a passion for therapeutic work or wish to transition into a meaningful and highly rewarding profession,
This is the place for you.
Our approach views art creation as a healing process, helping to uncover who you truly are – from the inside out.
Our airy and spacious studios become sacred spaces where our students have the time and support to create spontaneously
and cultivate their own creative language and inner knowledge.

Program Overview

Visual art therapy integrates artistic media such as painting, drawing, sculpture, and mixed techniques, with psychological tools to assess and treat a wide range of emotional and mental states. Creative processes inherent in artistic expression foster self-discovery, resilience, and adaptive coping with life challenges, including conflict, transition, and loss.

The program trains professionals in visual art therapy, a distinctive field within the therapeutic professions, preparing graduates to work in educational, therapeutic, and rehabilitative settings. Through the language of visual art, practitioners develop the ability to offer innovative therapeutic approaches and provide meaningful responses to diverse populations in the community and society.

The program consists of 4 components:
1. Theories and methods of visual art therapy.
2. Foundational knowledge in psychology.
3. Experiential workshops using art materials to integrate theory and practice.
4. Supervised clinical and educational fieldwork in visual art therapy.

 

The curriculum includes:

  • Theories and Methods in Visual Art Therapy
  • Diagnosis and Assessment in Visual Art Therapy
  • Models and Skills in Group Therapy
  • Training Seminar in Visual Art Therapy
  • Advanced Studio Courses
  • A unique course presenting approaches in the arts therapy related to different types of trauma
  • The program includes CBT enrichment, parent training, mind–body approaches, and advanced psychotherapy.

Skills you will have upon graduation:

  • Collaborate effectively in multidisciplinary teams
  • Lead diagnostic and evaluation processes
  • Provide therapeutic interventions for diverse populations across all stages of life
  • Guide and support families and caregivers
  • Deliver professional training to multidisciplinary teams

 

Career opportunities in the field
Graduates of the degree work as Art Therapists in the following settings:

  • Hospitals
  • HMO’s
  • Rehabilitation frameworks
  • Housing frameworks
  • Educational frameworks
  • Mental health clinics
  • Accompanying employees in companies
  • Private clinics
  • Early intervention centers

Upon successful completion of all academic requirements and field training hours, students will be awarded a Master of Arts in Creative Arts Therapies with a specialization in Art Therapy.

Brochure

Sample Weekly Schedule – Click Here.

Academic Schedule – An update will be released soon.

The curriculum includes

1st year

Introduction to Clinical Practicum in Art Therapy I & II

Art and Human Development

Psychotherapy: Theories and Approaches in Psychological Treatment

Psychological Assessment and Evaluation

Introduction to Art Therapy – Lecture & Practicum

Advanced Studio: Creative Approaches to Short-Term Therapeutic Structures

Assessment and Evaluation in Art Therapy

Standards and Ethics in Therapy

Research Methods (Online)


2nd year

Supervised Seminar in Art Therapy

Arts-Based Qualitative Research

Group Therapy: Models and Techniques

Theories and Methods in Art Therapy – Lecture & Practicum

Studio in Visual Arts: The Archetypal Image – Exploration and Research

 

3rd year

Supervision Seminar in Art Therapy

Issues and Dilemmas in Parent Counseling

Advanced Approaches in Psychotherapy

Integrating Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) in Art Therapy

Hybrid English / Hebrew Academic Program

I Believe
Anat Wolf Head of the International Art Therapy Program
I believe in the power of art to heal and express the inexpressible. Our program combines academic rigor with creative practice, supporting each student's personal and professional growth in a welcoming community.
I Believe
Dr. Liat Shamri-Zeevi Head of the Department
"Art therapy is grounded in the understanding that art-making and creative processes possess healing potential. At Ono, students learn to facilitate therapeutic processes through engagement with artistic materials and creative exploration. Our curriculum combines theoretical knowledge with experiential learning, exposing students to a wide range of artistic media and creative practices. Throughout their training, students develop deep familiarity with theoretical foundations while acquiring practical skills tailored to the profession. This high-level program is based on strong academic theory, alongside experiential art-based learning in small groups and a warm, supportive study environment."

Alumni Testimonials

Today, three years after graduation, when I am now fulfilling myself as an art therapist, I bless every step of the process that I went through. I did not imagine how powerful this journey would be, a journey of depth, learning, development, and personal growth. I had the privilege of discovering so many approaches, fascinating theories, and a wide variety of treatment methods, knowledge that only deepened. The exposure to so many styles, and not just at the theoretical level, allowed me to choose and understand which way suits me best, which built confidence and deep faith in my personal skills as a therapist. The academic approach was to let us, first of all, experience it ourselves so that we would be able to recognize what patients experience in the therapeutic process. I set out on my professional path with a very strong feeling that I had all the tools to succeed since, all along the way, experiential learning was first and foremost an encounter with myself, with my powers, abilities, strengths, and uniqueness.
Bat El Rachel Levi
Graduate, Visual Art Therapist

Program Schedule & Campus Location

2026-2027 Cycle

Admission Requirements

Admission Requirements & Prerequisites*

According to the Ministry of Health and the Council for Higher Education, the following requirements are necessary for admission to master’s degree studies in Art Therapy:

1. A recognized bachelor’s degree in any field. The threshold grade for the degree is 80.

2. Academic Prerequisites

As part of the admissions process, candidates must provide proof of prior psychology coursework.
Applicants are required to complete nine psychology prerequisite courses (a minimum passing grade of 80 is required for each course).

  • Introduction to psychology – 2 credits
  • Developmental psychology – 4 credits
  • Psychopathology – 4 credits
  • Personality theories – 2 credits
  • Research methods – 2 credits
  • Psychophysiology – 2 credits
  • Statistics – 2 credits

3.  Art-Based Courses

Supplementations for those who are not from the field of the arts:
300 hours of formal training in visual arts, including painting, drawing, and sculpting, from a recognized institution.
200 hours of artwork in a variety of creative materials (60 hours in each modality will be recognized) and submitting a portfolio of 15 art works in the field.

Applicants who do not meet the above academic prerequisites and/or the art pre-requisites, may complete missing courses at Ono

Mechina/ Prerequisite Academic Courses

Academic Supplementary courses for those who are not from the therapeutic field will be offered by Ono online through independent study, with exam dates announced in advance.

Applicants are required to complete nine psychology prerequisite courses (a minimum passing grade of 80 is required for each course).

  • The cost of each prerequisite course is $180.

Special Benefit – Prerequisite Courses
(For those who arrange tuition payments)

  • By March 15, 2026, up to 6 prerequisite courses at no cost.
  • By April 15, 2026, up to 2 prerequisite courses at no cost.
  • After April 15, 2026, each prerequisite course costs $180.

 

Art-Based Courses

Art Mechina/Preparatory Programs (for Candidates for the Visual Arts Therapy Program)

There are two Art Preparatory Programs:

  • 100-hour Art Preparatory Program – $1,000
  • 50-hour Art Preparatory Program – $500

Special Benefit – Art Preparatory Programs
(For students who arrange tuition payments)

  • Until March 15, 2026, the Art Preparatory Programs are free.
  • From March 16, 2026, through June 17, 2026 – 50% of the program cost:
    • 100-hour program: $500
    • 50-hour program: $250
  • After June 18, 2026, the full cost applies (100 hours: $1,000; 50 hours: $500).

Tuition & Scholarships

Program Tuition – 2026/27

$8,500 per academic year × 3 years

Important Registration Dates and Exclusive Benefits (2025/2026)

This information outlines the critical registration deadlines and the unique benefits available based on the date of enrollment.
Prospective students are encouraged to register early to maximize savings on registration fees and tuition.

Early Registration (The Best Offer)

  • Dates: December 1, 2025 – February 20, 2026
  • Registration Fee:
    • Reduced Rate: $75 (Standard fee is $180)
    • Coupon Code: Early Registration
  • Benefits for Tuition Arrangers:
    • Tuition Discount: $600 off total tuition.
    • Scholarship Benefit: Free VIP Card to “MilgaPo” (Israel’s largest scholarship website), valued at $100.

Winter Registration

  • Dates: February 21, 2026 – April 15, 2026
  • Registration Fee:
    • Reduced Rate: $120 (Standard fee is $180)
    • Coupon Code: Winter Registration
  • Benefits for Tuition Arrangers:
    • Tuition Discount: $300 off total tuition.
    • Scholarship Benefit: Free VIP Card to “MilgaPo” (Israel’s largest scholarship website), valued at $100.

Summer Registration

  • Dates: April 16, 2026 – June 17, 2026
  • Registration Fee:
    • Reduced Rate: $160 (Standard fee is $180)
    • Coupon Code: Summer Registration
  • Benefits for Tuition Arrangers:
    • Scholarship Benefit: Free VIP Card to “MilgaPo” (Israel’s largest scholarship website), valued at $100.

Late Registration

  • Dates: Starting from June 18, 2026
    • Registration Fee: Full Price: $180

 

Combined Benefits -Art Preparatory Programs + Prerequisite Courses

For students in therapy tracks who are also required to complete prerequisite courses, there are additional benefits tied to early tuition arrangements:

Period Tuition Arrangement Benefit End Date
Early Tuition Arrangement Early tuition arrangement (payment of deposit + credit card or automatic debit in the system) Art Preparatory Program free of charge + up to 6 prerequisite courses free March 15, 2026
Winter Tuition Arrangement Winter tuition arrangement (payment of deposit + credit card or automatic debit in the system) Art Preparatory Program free of charge + up to 3 prerequisite courses free April 15, 2026
Standard Tuition Arrangement Tuition arrangement within two weeks of receiving the acceptance letter (payment of deposit + credit card or automatic debit in the system) Art Preparatory Program at 50% cost ($500 instead of $1,000) + prerequisite courses at $180 per course June 17, 2026

Scholarships:

Internal scholarships are available, including those for Lone Soldiers, outstanding students, and students from challenging socio-economic backgrounds.
External scholarships are also offered, including those from the Ministry of Aliyah and Integration and from organizations such as Perach, IMPACT, and Mifal HaPais.

Assistance for Olim This hybrid learning program is offered in collaboration with the Israel Student Authority at the Ministry of Aliyah and Integration. Participants in this program can receive extensive support which includes: Tuition scholarship, Academic assistance, Rent scholarship (for student who made aliya from 03/2024), English-speaking counselors, Social and cultural events and more!

Ono International School Ono Academic College משרד העלייה והקליטה Ministry of Aliyah and Integration הסוכנות לסטודנטים עולים Israel Student Authority נפש בנפש Nefesh B'Nefesh

 

 

 

 

 

More About the Program

Your success is our priority A dedicated English-Speaking advisor offers one-on-one support throughout your entire first year. She will assist you with everything from required documentation to academic mentoring, ensuring your smooth integration and success in the program.

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