Student Information
How has COVID impacted WHEAT programming?
In the summers of 2022 and 2023 we were pleased to offer a combination of in-person and online offerings in all our Diploma and Certificate programs.
Summer 2024 was our last year offering a hybrid option where students who are unable to attend in person can elect to participate online.
As of Summer 2025 our programs include mandatory in person spring and summer immersions. The rest of the academic year (September – May) will remain as online classes held weekday evenings and weekends. Information on accommodation is located here.
Can I enroll as an online / distance student in a Diploma program?
Our diploma programs are made up of both online courses (which can be completed from anywhere), summer immersions, and spring immersion that takes place at Painted Sky Studio in St. Laurent, Manitoba and should be attended in person due to the highly interactive nature of the training.
Online classes and supervision are done through Zoom. For students unfamiliar with Zoom, it is a video conferencing platform. If you don’t already have Zoom on your computer, you will be prompted to download Zoom Client after clicking on the provided meeting link. Or you can download Zoom, It is small download. There are also tutorials available on joining a Zoom meeting.
How do I register?
We ask prospective students to first submit their online registration. Our Registrar will follow up and send further information about the program and/or course you are interested in registering for, in addition to the application materials. Students intending to register in one of the diploma or certificate programs will be encouraged to arrange a time to speak with WHEAT Founding Director Darci Adam to discuss their career interests and goals. If the intention is to move forward with registration then the application form and any required materials will be sent to WHEAT via email or mail.
Diploma Admission Requirements
A Bachelor’s or Master’s degree is required in either counselling, social work, fine arts, psychology or an equivalent field with a Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR) completed to determine equivalencies. Students with diverse backgrounds will be admitted for professional development training. Refer to the Canadian Art Therapy Association (CATA) website for information about requirements for professional membership and for registration as a Registered Canadian Art Therapist (RCAT).
Prerequisites include Developmental Psychology (3 credits) and Abnormal Psychology or Psychopathology (3 credits). This work may also be completed during the course of study, but must be completed in order to call yourself an art therapist upon graduation. WHEAT recommends the completion of these courses prior to the beginning of our program.
As part of their learning process, students will be required to receive art therapy and/or expressive arts therapy prior to or during the program for a minimum of 25 hours. Due to the psycho-dynamic nature of the program, we recommend students have the experience of receiving art therapy support during the program.
Ongoing engagement in the arts is a part of the Studio Art requirement.
Diploma Application Process
Applicants are selected based on past academic records, a 500-1000 word letter of intent and three letters of recommendation. Applicants must also submit documentation of previous art-making experience, current Resume (reflecting some experience in clinical, rehabilitative and/or educational settings), Child Abuse Registry and Criminal Record Check. Registration fee of $225 is due at that time. The Director and/or selection committee will interview potential participants. Confirmation of acceptance to the Diploma Program will occur within two weeks of application. Training completion fund, plus art supply fee are due upon acceptance and signing of the Student Enrollment Contract.
There are a limited number of seats available and spots will be reserved as applications are received.
Certificate Admission Requirements
The Certificate programs are open to people with a Bachelor’s degree in a related field such as counselling, education, social work, fine arts, psychology, OT, recreation or divinity. Artists and community activists with some arts background are also eligible.
Certificate Application Process
Applicants are selected based on a 500-1000 word letter of intent, documentation of previous art-making experience, and current Resume. Registration fee of $100 is due at that time. The Director and/or selection committee will interview potential participants. Confirmation of acceptance to the Certificate Program will occur within two weeks of application. The art supply fee is due upon acceptance and signing of the Student Enrollment Contract.
There are a limited number of seats available and spots will be reserved as applications are received.
Are there any prerequisites?
The requirements for our Art and Expressive Arts Therapy Diploma programs includes a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in counselling, social work, fine arts, or psychology OR an equivalent field with an Equivalency Assessment completed to determine equivalencies. Prerequisites include Developmental Psychology (3 credits) and Abnormal Psychology or Psychopathology (3 credits). This work may also be completed during the course of study.
The Expressive Arts Certificate has several entry options. It is open to people with a Bachelor’s degree in a related field such as counselling, education, social work, fine arts, psychology, OT, recreation or divinity. Artists and community activists with some arts background are also eligible. A written application indicating your background is required.
What are the program dates and length?
New diploma cohorts launch annually in July, with program completion anticipated at the end of December of a student’s second or third year, and convocation following in February.
New certificate cohorts launch annually in July or November, with program completion anticipated at the end of July or October, and convocation following in February.
Does the supply fee cover textbooks?
The Supply Fee covers the cost of art supplies and materials used in your classes held at Painted Sky Studio. Textbooks and required readings listed on a course syllabus are the responsibility of students to purchase from a local bookstore or online. At times WHEAT will photocopy course packages for instructors or unpublished works and charge a small fee to cover the cost of photocopying.
Are there extension fees if I don’t graduate in the allotted time?
Students will be considered graduates following completion of their Practicum as well as having completed and received a passing grade on their Final Project or Thesis. There is an additional fee of $100 per supervision hour for any supervision required beyond that included in the program. Students will register for the Practicum Extension. There is a fee of $500 for students wishing to extend their Final Project or Thesis for an additional six months. This will be accompanied by additional research support.
Are there any scholarships or bursaries available?
WHEAT has two scholarships available through The Winnipeg Foundation and a new IBPOC award that was just launched summer 2024. You can find further details about these opportunities on our Scholarships page.
What qualifications will I have after graduation from WHEAT?
Art Therapy Diploma graduates will have the necessary requirements to work as art therapists, join CATA as professional members, and work towards registration as Registered Canadian Art Therapists (RCAT). The College of Registered Psychotherapists recognizes art therapy as a valid form of psychotherapy. Current CATA Educational Standards require that art therapy program applicants have a minimum of a bachelor’s degree in the areas of psychology, fine arts, social work, or counselling or complete a Prior Learning Assessment (PLAR) to reflect related capacities and training. Please note that a master’s degree may be required by certain agencies in order to bill as a therapist and by some provinces in order to register as a psychotherapist or counselling therapist. Some colleges accept our diploma programs as a Master’s equivalent, post-graduate programs in arts therapies. Master’s level candidates are welcome to apply to the program to augment existing training in psychotherapy from an arts-based perspective.
All of the graduates from our first graduating class (2018) are using their art therapy skills in professional settings, and almost all have also set up private practices. We offer a business class to ensure that students have a business plan, name and logo prior to graduation, should they wish to continue in private practice.
Expressive Arts Therapy Diploma graduates will have the training necessary to become members of the Ontario Expressive Arts Therapy Association (OEATA). You can join as an Expressive Arts Therapist with a 500 + hour training program, including supervised practicum and thesis / final project. Registering as a professional member of the International Expressive Arts Therapy Association (IEATA), as either a Registered Expressive Arts Therapist (REAT) or a Registered Expressive Arts Consultant/Educator (REACE), is a process, with a variety of criteria, which can be found at ieata.org. Expressive arts therapy is recognized as a valid form of psychotherapy by the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario (CRPO).
Graduates of the Creative and Expressive Arts Certificate program can join the Ontario Expressive Arts Therapy Association as practitioners. Students in the certificate can ladder into our Expressive Arts Therapy and Dual Art and Expressive Arts Therapy Diploma programs if they wish to become therapists.
We are pleased to share that 100% of our 2024 graduates are employed in the fields of Art and Expressive Arts Therapy.
Annual Performance Report
Will be available by March 31, 2026.
Can individual course credits be transferred to other programs?
Yes, individual course credits can be transferred to future diploma or certificate programs. Our Registrar would work with the student to figure out what credits would count and the revision in tuition.
Are any WHEAT courses accredited by outside associations?
Yes, select courses are accredited for CEC’s with the Canadian Counselling & Psychotherapy Association (CCPA).
How many practicum and supervision hours are required to graduate?
Art Therapy Diploma students require a total of 600 practicum hours, 300 of which are to be direct client contact and 300 indirect contact. Students will receive a combination of Individual, Dyadic, and Group Supervision in a combination of ratios (1 hour of individual supervision for every 10 hours of direct client contact or 2 hours of group supervision for every 10 hours of direct client contact) to fulfill a total of 40 hours of supervision. All supervision is provided by WHEAT.
Expressive Arts Therapy Diploma students are required to complete 300 hours of direct client contact and 300 hours of indirect client contact. Students will receive a combination of Individual, Dyadic, and Group supervision to fulfill a total of 40 hours of supervision or until the practicum hours are complete, whichever comes first.
What are WHEAT’s attendance and course policies?
As experiential learning, arts engagement, thoughtful reflection, and group work with others, are crucial parts of all courses, students are required to have regular and punctual attendance for each class and supervision session.
Do students require insurance?
All registered students (currently enrolled in a program and completing course work, practicum hours and/or their final research project) are covered under the WHEAT Institute Liability Insurance. Students who complete their practicum hours (and may be doing work experience hours for IEATA) are still covered under WHEAT’s insurance if they are enrolled in course work and/or completing their final project. This includes students who extend their program to three years under “Thesis Extension”. This does mean that while the student may not be logging practicum hours for WHEAT, they are still required to complete the WHEAT paperwork (client consent forms, etc.) Once students have completed the practicum requirements as outlined in their program they may book additional supervision through WHEAT or find their own Supervisor.
Are we required to pay for the services of a Art Therapy or Expressive Arts practicum student?
WHEAT practicum students can be compensated for their services; however, WHEAT will not be involved in these negotiations and compensation is not a requirement for hosting a student.
Where can I find information about WHEAT’s Sexual Violence Policy?
Our policy and protocol applies to all students, practicum site placements, instructors, faculty, staff, and administrators of WHEAT Institute. WHEAT Administration will support students in finding appropriate resources in their own geographical location following any complaint. WHEAT can also provide psychological and emotional support, assist with safety planning, and make referrals to other services, including medical services.
Are there accessibility supports available?
WHEAT is committed to providing a website that is accessible to the widest possible audience, regardless of technology or ability. Our goal is a barrier-free digital experience that reflects the spirit of the federal The Accessibility for Manitobans Act, and meets or exceeds the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 Level AA.
WHEAT is committed to creating an accessible and inclusive community for all students, faculty, and staff. Information and educational materials are available through a communication support or accessible format on request. This may include information regarding our accessibility and training policies. If you need help and support as a student we are here for you. Please reach out by email: info@wheatinstitute.com and we would be happy to assist.
You may access The Accessibility for Manitobans Act (PDF) or the Manitoba Accessibility Office for further information.
Do I get a refund if I need to cancel my registration or withdraw from a program?
There are non-refundable registration fees for all our programs and for registration in individual courses as professional development. These fees would not be refunded. Should a Diploma student decide to withdraw from the program at any time, they would complete the process of withdrawal as mandated by the Private Vocational Institutes of Manitoba (PVI), including use of the refund calculator for tuition fees.
We are currently working on a internal refund and withdrawal policy for our Expressive Arts Certificate. Professional development drop-ins are asked to inform us of any cancellations at least a week in advance, at which time they would receive a refund on the course fee (minus the non-refundable registration fee). No refunds will be given for professional development drop-ins after the class has already started.
*applicable to our Art Therapy, Expressive Arts Therapy, and Dual Art & Expressive Arts Therapy Diploma programs.