We are now accepting applications for the Fall 2025 program start date.
The deadline for submitting early admissions applications is January 31, 2025.
Completed applications will be reviewed by the Admissions Committee and short-listed candidates will be interviewed in February 2025. If there are still available spots, we may choose to reopen the admissions process.
For further information, please feel welcome to call or email us with your questions.
How to Apply to the Program
Admission to the Kutenai Art Therapy Institute Diploma program is competitive as space is limited. The campus hybrid and online hybrid cohorts both begin in September. It is important to get your application materials in early to be considered for the upcoming academic year.
Application requirements
The following application materials are required for admission to the Diploma program:
Completed Admissions Form
Bachelor’s degree *
Official transcripts must be sent directly to the Institute.
Minimum of three post-secondary level courses collectively demonstrating critical thinking, skills in research and academic writing, an understanding of human development and/or an awareness of social and cultural contexts with an emphasis on understanding systems of oppression and privilege. Examples of applicable coursework include but are not limited to sociology, philosophy, gender studies, cultural studies, and psychology.
Portfolio including ten images of creative art
Criminal record check for working with vulnerable clients
Three letters of reference
Resumé
Personal autobiography (500 words max.)
Statement of intent (250 words max.)
Proficiency in English
* The Bachelor’s degree requirement may be met through a documented Equivalency Assessment
Online Hybrid students only
30-hour art therapy workshop
This requirement ensures that Online Hybrid students begin the program with the same experiential orientation to art therapy that campus hybrid students receive in the first weeks of the program. The requirement can be fulfilled with one of KATI’s own Intro Series workshops or an equivalent workshop can be submitted for consideration.
Recommended experience
Previous work or volunteer experience in education, counselling, rehabilitation, psychiatry, or social services
Participation in art therapy workshops or groups
Personal experience with therapy or art therapy
Fees
Application Fees
Base application fee
Upon submission, a $175 base application fee is charged for campus hybrid and online hybrid applicants.
Equivalency Assessment fee
An additional $100 CAD processing fee is added to the standard application fee for equivalency assessment requests.
Read more about Equivalency Assessments >>
International Student processing fee
An additional $275 CAD processing fee is added to the standard application fee for international applicants.
Application fees are collected upon submission and are non-refundable. Fees can be paid by credit card, Google Pay, Apple Pay, or e-transfer.
Re-application Fee
Applicants who have deferred acceptance to KATI may apply again within one year with a new letter of intent, a new interview, and a fee of $125. Deferred applicants can contact admin@kutenaiarttherapy.com to apply for the Fall 2025 intake.
Tuition fees for students entering the program in fall 2025
Campus Hybrid Tuition
1st year - $16,195 (2025/2026)
2nd year - $13,255 (2026/2027)
Technology Fee - $150
Student Fees - $150
Online Hybrid Tuition
1st year - $16,195 (2025/2026)
2nd year - $13,255 (2026/2027)
Technology Fee - $150
Student Fees - $150
International Campus Tuition
1st year - $18,780 (2025/2026)
2nd year - $17,430 (2026/2027)
Technology Fee - $150
Student Fees - $150
Additional Costs
Textbooks - Required textbook list amounts to approximately $1,400 per year, if purchased new. Students are responsible for purchasing their own required textbooks.
Supervision Fees
Supervision is included in the cost of tuition fees, provided the student maintains their expected clinical placement hours each week for the duration of their studies. If students require additional or summer semesters of supervision, additional course fees for supervision will apply.
If students are not able to complete the program within the scheduled time frame, a student may have to contract for further clinical supervision.
Fall 2025 Supervision (1 semester): $1500
Fall 2025 Supervision (2 months): $800
Course Re-take Fee
Individual courses unfinished or incomplete within the timeframe:
20-hour course: $700
30-hour course: $1050
40-hour course: $1400
45-hour course: $1500
Research Extension Course
$1840 per year
$920 per semester
Official Transcript Fee
$20 per transcript
Professional Registration Forms
$30 per form
NSF cheques
$25 per cheque
Equipment
Students will require a computer for coursework and a camera for documenting client artwork.
Thesis or Capstone Binding
Thesis or Capstone binding is at an additional cost to each student per copy. Students may refer to the Student Policy Manual for pricing.
Unpaid Debts
Student transcripts and diplomas are withheld until all debts to the Institute are paid. These debts include outstanding tuition, borrowed equipment, and books. All previous debts must be cleared before registration in a subsequent year.
Income Tax Receipts
All students receive T2202 education tax credit forms for each year tuition is paid. T2202 income tax receipts are provided in February for the previous year once all tuition is paid.
Refund Policy
Fees will be refunded in accordance with the PTIB (Private Training Institutions Branch) refund policy, as shown in the Student Contract and KATI Policy C9: Tuition Refunds. You may also refer to the PTIB Fee and Tuition Policy Compliance Standards for more information.
Financial Aid
The Kutenai Art Therapy Institute is Designated by the Private Training Institutions Branch of British Columbia (PTIB) and has Designation with Student Aid BC. Students who have financial need can apply for provincial and/or federal student loans or various student grants, depending upon their eligibility.
Equivalency Assessments
An Equivalency Assessment (EA) is available for applicants who do not hold a bachelor’s degree from an accredited university. The EA application process is built directly into the Diploma Program Application Form.
An EA is an assessment conducted by the Admissions Committee to establish what has been learned through formal and informal education, training, work, or life experience. There is a written component followed by an interview. The goal is to establish the quality of learning that has occurred, rather than just the experience itself. It is the applicant’s responsibility to produce documentation of evidence of learning that meets the entrance requirements to KATI. This process may be used to establish a documented equivalency of a Bachelor’s degree.
The fee for an EA application is $100.
It is important to recognize that each employer, professional association, and professional college has a unique set of application requirements. Those applying to KATI with an EA should be aware that other organizations may still require a Bachelor’s degree as an application requirement. Provincial art therapy associations accept applications for Professional membership from KATI graduates, but requirements for Registered membership may vary. The Canadian Art Therapy Association (CATA) accepts both Professional and Registered membership applications from KATI graduates, regardless of whether or not they applied with an EA.
Transfer Agreements
The Kutenai Art Therapy Institute will consider up to 50% of course work as transfer credits from other recognized art therapy programs.
International Students
KATI is a Designated Learning Institution and welcomes International students to our Campus Hybrid program each year. Please be sure to check with Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada for the specific requirements from your country. International students need a study permit to enroll.
Bursaries and Scholarships
BIPOC Scholarship
The BIPOC Scholarship aims to uplift and support Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) by awarding a $3500 tuition credit to a prospective first-year student. We believe that BIPOC perspectives and voices are critical in creating an equitable art therapy community. We recognize that BIPOC communities have faced and continue to face systemic inequalities in art therapy education, and we want to do our part to address these barriers. This scholarship is part of our ongoing efforts to undo the structural barriers that prevent BIPOC communities from pursuing their dreams in art therapy.
External Scholarships
Canadian Art Therapy Association Scholarships
The Canadian Art Therapy Association offers a student scholarship and research grants for CATA members. Several KATI students have been recipients of these scholarships and grants.
Application deadline is August 1st. KATI recommends that you become a student member.
Kootenay Co-Op Scholarship
The Kootenay Co-op in Nelson offers up to $3,000 in scholarships for co-op members pursuing post-secondary education
A lifetime membership to the co-op costs $50, which can be paid in 5 monthly installments of $10.
Priority is given to studies in food & environment, health, community development, and cooperation, but applications are welcome from any members. There is no age restriction and all members, and their children are eligible to apply. Deadline May 1st.