Exploring the Path to Becoming an Art Therapist: Education, Programs, and Career

Art therapy is a unique and growing field that combines the power of creative expression with established psychological principles to promote healing and mental wellness. If you're drawn to both art and psychology and are considering a career where you can help others through creative means, art therapy might be the perfect fit. This article will explore the educational requirements, program options, and career paths available in the field of art therapy.

What is Art Therapy?

Art therapy is a master's-level mental health profession where qualified art therapists use active art-making, the creative process, and psychological theories to facilitate therapeutic interventions with clients in diverse settings. Art therapists utilize various art media therapeutically, assisting clients to explore their emotions, improve self-esteem, manage addictions, relieve stress, improve symptoms of anxiety and depression, and cope with physical illness or disability.

Education Needed to Become an Art Therapist

A master’s degree is necessary for entry-level practice in art therapy. Most graduate programs require applicants to have completed 18 studio art credits and at least 12 psychology credits and can come from a fine arts or psychology undergraduate program. The Pre-Art Therapy Certificate prepares students to meet the requirements for entering most master’s degree art therapy programs. The certificate requires courses in fine arts, psychology, and introduction to art therapy.

The educational standards require graduate-level coursework that includes training in:

The creative process
Psychological development
Group therapy
Art therapy assessment
Psychodiagnostics
Research methods
Multicultural competency development and cultural humility

Students must also complete, at minimum, 100 hours of supervised practicum and 600 hours of supervised art therapy clinical internship. In addition, preparatory training at a prerequisite level in studio art methods in a variety of two- and three-dimensional art media and processes is required (for example, drawing, painting, digital art, clay or sculpture; although not all of these examples are included for program applications so check with any program to which you may apply). In addition, foundational areas of study in psychology are also required in advance of graduate studies. Most graduate programs require at least a prerequisite course in some sort of developmental psychology and also abnormal psychology. Program designs include fully in-person, hybrid/low residency, or fully online.

Undergraduate Studies in Art Therapy

A variety of colleges across the country do offer undergraduate coursework or majors in art therapy, as pre-professional information. It is important to know that undergraduate coursework or a major in art therapy is not required to apply to graduate art therapy programs, though such coursework at this pre-professional level can increase your confidence and provide a strong foundation for future studies. In addition, the courses offer an opportunity to further explore the career and whether it is a fit for you! The undergraduate Pre-Art Therapy Certificate is a collaborative program among faculty from Clermont College, McMicken College of Arts and Sciences (A&S), and the College of Design, Architecture, Art, and Planning. Through the core class, Introduction to Art Therapy, students will examine how art is used therapeutically. The core class covers the origins and applications of art therapy, fine arts, art history, and psychological principles. Students will learn about current developments in the field of art therapy and observe community projects that utilize art as therapy. Students will explore, through lecture and experiential artwork, the therapeutic aspects of image and art making. The purpose of this course is to examine art as therapy and will include an introduction to the origins, historical, and applications of art therapy, fine arts, art history, and psychological principles and skills. We will cover current developments in the field of art therapy and observe community projects that utilize art as therapy.

The BA Art Therapy curriculum provides coursework for you to gain foundational studio art proficiencies, counseling, and interpersonal skills, and engage in hands-on learning activities through self-exploration and community arts engagement. As a stand-alone degree, the BA in Art Therapy will allow you to apply for entry-level human service positions in schools, community arts centers, rehabilitation facilities, and correctional institutions.

Popular Courses:

Introduction to Visual Arts Therapy ART 410 Introduces students to basic principles and practices of visual arts therapy through historical background, theoretical frameworks, and in-field issues. Provides information on pioneers in the field, how and where art therapists practice, training required for the profession, as well as interactive art explorations to incorporate art therapy principles into their own teaching and/or artistic practice. Online lectures and discussion.
Theory of Art Education and Art Therapy ART 411 Introduces students to the historical, theoretical, and philosophical foundations of visual arts therapy. Provides students with an overall understanding of how visual arts therapy relates to practice in art education. Specific theories relating to creativity development and visual literacy are explored.
Art Methods/Materials for Special Populations ART 412 Provides students with in-depth understanding of art methods and materials used in artistic development of children, adolescents, and adults, while using creative process of art making to enhance the physical, mental, and emotional well being of individuals of all ages. Research, assigned readings, online discussions, and hands-on projects and critiques. On-campus art-making seminar is required.
Advanced Problems in Art-Making ART 420 Provides students with in-depth understanding of art methods and materials used in artistic development of children, adolescents, and adults, while using creative process of art making to enhance the physical, mental, and emotional well being of individuals of all ages.
Art Therapy Senior Capstone ART 455 Seminar culminating scholarly experience of the undergraduate art therapy program. Provides the opportunity to explore, research, and articulate individual perspectives on art-making and personal strengths related to future careers in art therapy. Includes lectures, guest speakers/visiting artists, reflective art-making, and written assignments.
Introduction to Psychology PSYC 101 Survey of general psychology.
Introduction to Human Development PSYC 241 Survey of human psychological development across the life span with emphasis on change in biological, cognitive, and social-emotional processes. Special attention given to theoretical, conceptual, methodological, and practical issues.
Introduction to Abnormal Psychology PSYC 281 Introduction to major categories of behavior disorders; etiology, prevention, and treatment.

Master's Level Coursework

While each art therapy program has its own unique coursework that highlights the expertise of its faculty or the needs of the region it is located in, these content areas reflect the types of coursework typically in a graduate degree in art therapy:

Psychopathology
Psychological assessment
Human growth and development
Counseling/Psychological theories
Helping relationships
Research
Professional orientation
Ethical and legal issues
Multicultural and social issues
History and theory of art therapy
Materials and techniques of practice in art therapy
Creativity studies
Studio art
Application of art therapy with people in different treatment settings
Art therapy assessment
Group art therapy
Culminating thesis or project
Practicum and internship

Programs may also have coursework that highlights family therapy studies; trauma studies; studies in addiction; studies in related creative arts therapies such as drama therapy or dance-movement therapy; vocational and career development; additional studio electives, or medical art therapy. Note these are content areas, not course titles.

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Doctoral Programs in Art Therapy

Yes, and a list of available doctoral programs may be viewed here. (Inclusion of a doctoral program on this list is not indicative of an endorsement by AATA, but is offered for information purposes.)

What to Expect From an Art Therapy Program

Accredited art therapy masters programs ensure their resources, curriculum, faculty, and policies will prepare you for a career as a registered art therapist (ATR). Art therapy has historically been referred to as an integrative profession with coursework from what is known as related mental health professions being combined with coursework taught by board-certified art therapists and which focuses on art therapy theories and methods. National education standards detail resources, processes, and curriculum requirements for accredited programs and provide an outline of content for courses.

Graduate programs pay attention to curriculum content requirements delineated by the Art Therapy Credentials Board (ATCB) and also from state licensing boards.

The Importance of Art-Making

Art therapy is a field grounded in research-based science that combines active art-making, the creative process, applied psychological theory, and the human experience within a psychotherapeutic relationship. To that end, graduate students of art therapy are scholar-practitioners that read scholarly material, write in both academic and journaling styles, and also explore art-making to foster reflective practice and to facilitate learning.

Accreditation and Program Quality

High-quality art therapy programs prepare their students for entry-level skills and post-graduate board certification as an art therapist. Quality programs also undergo a rigorous annual review process which ensures their resources, curriculum, faculty, and policies are prepared to meet your learning needs. Educational standards are managed by the Accreditation Council for Art Therapy Education (ACATE), which is overseen by the Commission on the Accreditation of Allied Health Education programs (CAAHEP).

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The American Art Therapy Association (AATA) encourages you to consider an CAAHEP-accredited program. These programs undergo a rigorous review process, which ensures their resources, curriculum, faculty, and policies will meet your learning needs and prepare you for future board certification.

Post-Graduation Requirements

Individuals who graduate with their master’s degree in art therapy can pursue further national credentialing and licensure (depending on the state of practice). Once you complete your master’s degree in art therapy, you then work to acquire client contact hours and supervision hours, both requirements to earn your board certification in art therapy from the Art Therapy Credentials Board.

Career Paths for Art Therapists

Art therapists are master-level mental health clinicians that use active art-making, creative process, and counseling techniques to facilitate therapeutic interventions with clients with a wide variety of clinical populations and settings. Art therapists learn how to use a variety of art media therapeutically in order to assist clients in psychological and mental wellness.

Art therapists can work in a variety of settings, including:

Hospitals
Schools
Community mental health centers
Rehabilitation facilities
Correctional institutions
Private practice

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