Leading graduate programs in art therapy require for admission the following:

• Baccalaureate degree from an accredited US institution, preferably in Art or Psychology (often with a grade average of B or better)
• A minimum of 18 credits hours in studio art
• Academic course work and demonstrated proficiency in drawing, painting and figurative clay work
• A minimum of 12 credit hours in psychology, including courses in abnormal psychology, developmental psychology (child or human development), and personality theory.

Most programs require a portfolio that includes figurative work in 2 and 3 dimensional media (submitted in the form of high quality digital photos on a CD or USB), and many recommend that the work reflect personal expression in a range of media and subject matter. In preparation for these admission requirements, we recommend that students prioritize creating figurative work in their own artistic practice. We also recommend two courses in each of the following categories:

For advice in preparing your portfolio, you are welcome to contact Jonathan Monaghan (studio art advisor, monaghanj@cua.edu), or Peter Gribbin (administrative assistant, gribbin@cua.edu). We also recommend that you contact Dr. Marcie Goeke-Morey in the Department of Psychology (goekemorey@cua.edu) for advisement in selecting appropriate psychology courses in preparation for admission. To meet the psychology prerequisites, she recommends taking either:

Other courses of interest might be PSY 371 (Sensation & Perception), PSY 373 (Cognitive & Behavior Therapy), PSY 381 (Clinical Psychology), or PSY 386 (Developmental Disabilities).

 

For further information, you also may wish to consult the following online resources:

225 N. Fairfax St.

Alexandria, VA 22314

Phone: 1-888-290-0878

E-mail: info@arttherapy.org 

URL: https://arttherapy.org/

This site includes a list with contract information of all Approved Graduate Degree Programs that offer an MA, MS, or MEd in Art Therapy (or related degrees) in the US and Canada.

 

The national credentialing body for professional art therapists in the U.S. Includes information about certification and ethics code.

3 Terrace Way, Ste B

Greensboro, NC 27403

1-877-213-2822

1-336-547-0017 Fax

E-mail: info@atcb.org 

URL: http://www.atcb.org

 

“Double Majors and Minors in Other Disciplines: Planning to Apply to M.A. Programs in Art Therapy”

 

“So You Want to be an Art Therapist, Redux: Here is a recap of the seven things to know about art therapy as a career,” by Cathy Malchiodi, PhD, LPCC, LPAT in Psychology Today (January 28, 2013), http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/the-healing-arts/201301/so-you-want-be-art-therapist-redux-0