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Schools
*Please note we’re still updating this section and will be adding more schools to the list. If you know of any that should be added, please leave your recommendation in the comments of the appropriate page.** View art therapy schools by location **
Please feel free to leave any recommendationsor comments about your alma mater or any
other art therapy schools you’ve heard about.
Art Therapy is a growing field, which began by treating children and adults, who were emotionally scarred and/or physically disabled, with art and its creative process. Art therapy has expanded, many different types of people use it, and there are many benefits. Some examples of where an art therapist might work are:
- hospitals
- community mental health centers
- Child Life programs
- shelters
- prisons
- nursing homes
- special schools
What is an Art Therapy School?
Art therapy schools help students develop strong foundational skills that help them interpret art in a way that is more personal & therapeutic to the client. An art therapy school will assist the student in honing their artistic talents as well as their ability to interpret and analyze art and the process of creativity. If you want to become a professional art therapist, you will need to complete the appropriate Bachelor’s requirements in addition to completing the appropriate Masters Degree Requirements.
Art Therapy Schools Are Not Just For Future Art Therapists
The best art therapy schools provide specialized courses for people interested in art therapy. If you want to become a professional & certified art therapist, then you are required to go through the proper schooling. But even if you don’t want to be a certified art therapist, an art therapy school may still be a great choice. If you are a social worker, teacher, psychologist, or anyone with a desire to learn and understand a new discipline and form of communication, then art therapy school can help. A quality art therapy education will help you learn important fundamental methods of art therapy, and how to encourage & foster the creative process in your clients.
Aiding the creative process and encouraging people to communicate their emotions and thoughts in new ways can improve many aspects of a person’s life. The goal of an art therapy school is to provide you with the tools and the knowledge to help improve the quality of life of your patients or clients via the creative process and expression.
Proper art therapy training from schools and colleges can help professionals develop new strategies for overcoming various disabilities in students or clients. Current professionals can gain important knowledge on how to implement various creative arts activities that can assist their current curriculums.
And obviously, if you want to become a professional and certified art therapist, then you are required to complete the proper schooling.
About Art Therapy Curriculums & Programs
Most of the top art therapy schools offer courses that are designed for people in various stages of their life, whether you are a full-time student studying to be an art therapist or you are a working professional looking to enhance your skillset and knowledge. Some examples of working professionals are counselors, social workers, human service workers, and teachers. Art therapy school programs help you explore new ways to incorporate the creative process into your practice.
Some common art therapy classes and courses include:
- Art Therapy Methods
- Art Therapy Foundations
- Understanding & Working with Images
- Art Therapy & Self Image
- Group Art Therapy
- Art Therapy & The Creative Process
- Trauma Treatment
- Materials & Projects
- Transformations
Art Therapy School Certification & Accreditation
Some schools may be branches of certain colleges and accreditation may vary. However, the American Art Therapy Association (AATA) regulates the educational, ethical & professional standards for the field in the U.S. The Art Therapy Credentials Board (ATCB) is responsible for evaluating candidates and granting them registration as a professional art therapist. If you want to become a Board Certified art therapist in the U.S., the ATCB requires you to pass a written exam and maintain their credentials.
U.S. Art Therapy Schools by Location
*Please note we’ll be adding more schools in the U.S. and abroad.Arizona
California
Colorado
Connecticut
Florida
Illinois
Indiana
Kansas
Kentucky
Massachusetts
Michigan
Minnesota
Missouri
New Jersey
New Mexico
New York
Ohio
Oregon
Pennsylvania
South Carolina
Virginia
Washington
Washington, DC
Wisconsin
International Art Therapy Schools & Programs
Art therapy schools and programs in Canada
Art therapy schools and programs in the UK and Europe
Art therapy schools and programs in Australia
Please feel free to leave any recommendations or comments about your alma mater or any other art therapy schools you’ve heard about by leaving a comment below.
Comments (32)32 Responses to “Schools”
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Colorado has a great program: Naropa University’s Art Therapy Transpersonal Psychology Masters.
[...] Schools [...]
I am curious to know of any doctoral programs in Art Therapy. Do any still exist?
Minnesota has a Master’s level Art Therapy Program at the Adler Graduate School in Richfield, MN check out http://www.alfredadler.edu for more information
Dear Sir,
Can you please introduce me any arttherapist those who want an art therapy assistant because i vermuch like to learn arttherapy,
that can help me more and more its very urgent.
can you please do a favoure for me.
thank you.
-sathishbhagavath
What should my major be if I’m just starting out?
I second Kate’s inquiry – this field is so hard to get into, especially when approaching it from a country is lacking in both educational and occupational possibilities within art therapy! I think that a guide of some sort, or a forum, perhaps interviews with art therapists and art therapy teachers (at university and graduate level) would be greatly beneficial for people in our situation, just trying to start out in such a new (and exciting) field.
C
I second both Kate and Christian, I’m finishing my art therapy masters degree and I’m really clueless in what to do next. Actually I know what I want to do but haven’t figured out the way to open the art therapy field where I’m living. I’d very much like to hear from other art therapists how have they managed to open a working field for them because there is nothing that I want more than to do this for the rest of my life!
Cata
I was wondering if you know if there is a program that may be started up in NC or in Texas anytime soon. I have been wanting to get my masters in art therapy (I have a bachelors in Human Services) but it is very hard to do so with a family and living in a state where this degree is not offered (that we know of) Thanks!
I am looking for an online Masters Degree in Art Therapy. Can anyone recommend one?
Thanks
I am also looking for an online program if anyone has any information. Thanks!
I am currently an Art Director (B.F.A. in graphic design) but I really have a desire to become an Art Therapist. What steps would I need to take? Would this require me getting another bachelors degree in psychology or counseling?
Any suggestions would be great, thanks!
I’m currently working as a sped teacher here in our country for 9 years, and 1 year as an art teacher in a pre-school. I always got interest to teach art in my students especially those who have autism through this activities they manage to settle down and engage in the activity in a long span of time…i was interested to become an art therapists since as myself like do painting and making arts crafts..i just want to ask if you have a certain institution to recommend where i can study as well as work as an art teacher, further as an art therapists? thanks
I’m currently working as a sped teacher here in our country for 9 years, and 1 year as an art teacher in a pre-school. I always got interest to teach art in my students especially those who have autism through this activities they manage to settle down and engage in the activity in a long span of time…i want to study more and become an art therapists..what are the steps that i need to become one? thanks
Hi,
It is great to see all the interest out there for art therapy! I graduated in 2007 from SIUE Art Therapy Counseling program. This was a great program all around. I recommend checking out the American Art Therapy Association webpage to get good information on Masters programs — you can also find contact info to find out the entrance requirements for specific programs. To my knowledge, there are not any online programs available, at least that are accredited by AATA. I think there may be some distance learning programs that only meet occasionally though. I worked for 2 years in IL as a counselor and art therapist before relocating to HI recently. I am currently working on a part-time basis in art therapy. As for finding employment, it helped to use the connections I had made while I was a student, and it has also been helpful to look outside the box — I received training that will qualify me to be a licensed counselor as well as an art therapist, and this greatly increases job possibilities. I know only a few practicing art therapists who have the title “art therapist” for their job, but many more who are licensed counselors, clinicians, etc., and they use the art therapy within this. I am happy to answer any questions or be of help in any way to those of you who are interested in this field. Art therapy is a great choice:)
Sarah
i need help with art therapy guys ideas with self therapy what can i draw abt myself even if you could send or upload photo to bring up idea
I am currently at a university majoring in psychology and minor in art. Is this the right way to go and what should I get my masters in? need help!
Do you have to be an artist to be an art therapist? I have my degree in Art History and History and have some basic courses in Psych, Soc and Anthropology. I have worked with people with intellectual disabilities and childrens literacy programs. I’m creative, but not necessarily a qualified artist per se.
I’m stronly interested in Art Therapy but I just need to know if I’m way off on this career path because I’m not an artist.
Thoughts?
I need some advise on the courses in Art Therapy as I am searching for a appropriate schools in London or Europe if possible ,to study Art Therapy but I am confused and desperately looking for assistance in this area!!!be gratefull if could recommend schools .
hello, I am currently in Bangalore in India and I am doing a voluntary journalism placement. I want to write an article about art therapy as I know someone here who works in that area and is going to allow me to visit her work place for the day-I am however trying to find where people can do courses in art therapy in India-can anybody please point me in the right direction as I want to promote art therapy but can’t find the info. thank you!
Hi Deirdre, I am located in bangalore too and looking to find out more about Art Therapy. Have been able to gather any information about the same? Do you know of any therapists?
hola, estoy contenta de haberles encontrado, su información es muy completa…pero sigo perdida, me gustaría saber si tienen conocimiento de algun buen centro donde estudiar arteterapia en barcelona, me interesa desde el punto de vista de trabajo con la ceramica…gracias
Hi
I live in South Africa and I have been very keen to study Art Therapy but have not been able to find anything, seemingly in SA. Is there something you could suggest? Is there any Art Therapy qualifications that could be done through distance learning?
Regards
Charmaine
Hello. I am a holistic therapist in South Africa, and am extremely keen on studying Art Therapy. There are no schools here. Is there an international correspondence course that I can do?
I’ll really appreciate the feedback.
Kind regards,
Reshma Govind
South Africa
Hi
Can anyone recommend a good school in NYC to fulfill the psych and art requirements for a MA in A.T? I’d like to eventually apply to SVA, but currently have a BS in a non related field (Human Ecology w/ an emphasis in Fashion Merchandising) which I’m still paying for. I would ideally like to keep costs low by going to a city/state school part time in somewhere in the city..
Thanks!
Christine
Hi,
I’ve seen this question asked a couple times, but I wasn’t able to find a solid answer. I’m starting my undergrad this fall, interested in art therapy, specifically for the mentally handicapped. The school I’m going to doesn’t have the program specifically, but if I were to try to create it, what would be the path to start on? I was thinking elementary special ed with a minor in psych and my arts, but I really have no idea if this will get me where I want to go. Suggestions from those who have done it?
Thanks so much!
Hi,
I am an artist and i would like to venture out into art therapy. I would like to know about good centres in India, preferably in Bangalore which train you to become an art therapist.
Cheers
Vin
I was wondering if branching to the columia mo. area was in the near future im currently a student getting my assoc in early childhood develop. and i was curios to know if by the time i transfer if art therapy would be more widely recognized in cities of missouri other then K.C. due to a custody arrangement i can not leave the Columbia area…
The LYRIC CENTER FOR EXPRESSIVE ARTS is a center for individuals eager to learn how to paint and appreciate art for children and people with special needs who will express themselves through expressive arts and music appreciation. The first of its kind in the Philippines, the center addresses the unique differences and needs of individuals through one-on-one interventions designed to help each individual to achieve a higher level of personal self sufficiency, confidence and success in his/her respective school or community than would otherwise be accomplished in a typical classroom education. Lessons are individually planned and are held in a wholesome and welcoming setting that can be electronically monitored through close circuit camera.
The management and teaching faculty of the Center are promoting and propagating the use of our specialized teaching techniques to trainers/teachers and facilitators designed to benefit the special needs beneficiaries and special education units, youth groups, day care centers, and senior citizens.
Please visit our FACEBOOK account:
LYRIC CENTER FOR EXPRESSIVE ARTS
I am trying to gather advisement for additional certification to attain for Art Therapy in Texas. Are there any online programs or internships accessible to Texans?
With warm regards,
Gnatspace
Great to see your informative and enthusiastic site. We recently set up the London Art Therapy Centre – a bespoke art therapy studio environment offering art therapy to the private and public sectors. We also run lots of courses which may be of interest.
bw, Hephzibah
You turned off the comments sections on other parts of this website when I asked you to tell us who you are. I would like to interview you for an article I am doing. You have an interesting website that is well constructed. But I cannot interview someone who will not reveal themselves to the public. This is a real mystery as to why you want to keep your identity a secret. I imagine you are a famous art therapist, so this does not make any sense.