Exploring Interdisciplinary Pathways

Students of UNH’s forensic science program, an interdisciplinary program, conduct a mock crime scene analysis. (Photograph courtesy UNH)

Interdisciplinary degrees provide an innovative approach to education, appealing to students seeking a distinct academic path. These programs foster intellectual exploration, encouraging students to transcend traditional disciplines and discover how various fields intersect, offering endless possibilities for learning and discovery.

The Art Therapy Program at George Washington University (GWU) in Virginia and the forensic science degrees at the University of New Haven (UNH) in Connecticut are examples of interdisciplinary degree programs offered at U.S. universities.

Art therapy

Since becoming one of the first programs in the United States to receive approval from the American Art Therapy Association, the GWU Art Therapy Program has been a leader in the field. The program aims to prepare future therapists in three main areas: cutting-edge theory in clinical art therapy, counseling and trauma; the utilization of pioneering research and evaluation techniques; and the implementation of diverse, integrative, culturally sensitive treatment approaches.

Art therapy, a human service profession, enables both verbal and nonverbal expression of thoughts and emotions. Through art as a mode of communication, it externalizes internal feelings and trauma. The inherent creative process serves as a valuable tool in resolving emotional conflicts and nurturing personal growth in patients.

The Open Art Studio of the Art Therapy Program at George Washington University. (Photograph courtesy George Washington University)

“The GWU art therapy degree provides a balance of strong clinical skills and knowledge and the creative process. We provide comprehensive trauma training, which is essential training for any future art therapist,” says Heidi Bardot, director of GWU’s Art Therapy Program. “This includes individual work with clients in our on-site community clinic and case consultation with experienced therapists. This allows students to utilize the trauma theories and techniques they are currently learning in their work with clients. In addition to our clinical training, our students exhibit their artwork in our Art Therapy Gallery, promoting the fact that our program is both clinically and artistically based.”

The program has more than 30 faculty members and a network of over 700 alumni across the world. Students have access to over 100 internship opportunities in various settings including psychiatric, educational, medical, military and community-based environments. They receive training in modern facilities, including the GW Art Therapy Clinic. Throughout the program, student artists showcase their work in both a physical gallery space on campus and a virtual gallery online.

“Students who are drawn to our program discover that art therapy allows them to combine all the areas that they are passionate about: their love of art, their interest in psychology and mental health, and their wish to help people,” says Bardot. “This program requires taking that passion and grounding it in skills, exploration into creativity, continual learning, curiosity in the unknown, and, above all, self-awareness.”

Forensic science

UNH’s forensic science program, considered among the best in the United States, is an interdisciplinary program that prepares students for careers in forensic science, natural sciences and criminal justice professions, as well as post-graduate educational or training opportunities. The students learn to employ science and technology to uncover evidence, enhance their observation skills and interpret findings effectively.

The bachelor’s program emphasizes natural sciences and offers a curriculum covering diverse aspects of criminal justice and forensic science. Classes are offered in-person and online, with labs incorporating fieldwork, mock crime scene investigations, and professional observation. Students can also pursue internships and shadowing opportunities at the local New Haven police station for practical experience.

Taught at the prestigious Henry C. Lee Institute for Forensic Science, students benefit from cutting-edge facilities and resources, including operational crime labs and advanced visual displays.

“Our job is not to get you where you want to go right now,” says Ranjana Maitra, UNH’s international country head. “Our job is to get you where you never imagined you could go.”

Jason Chiang is a freelance writer based in Silver Lake, Los Angeles.

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