MASTERS ACADEMIC PROGRAMS
The American Art Therapy Association encourages you to consider a master’s-level art therapy program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP). These programs have educational standards managed by the Accreditation Council for Art Therapy Education (ACATE) and undergo a rigorous annual review process which ensures their resources, curriculum, faculty and policies are prepared to meet your learning needs. CAAHEP-accredited programs will prepare students for entry level skills and post-graduate board certification as an art therapist.
CAAHEP-ACCREDITED GRADUATE DEGREE PROGRAMS
To search for an Accredited Art Therapy program, start here or click on a state below and click on “Find an accredited program.”
From there, click on the “Profession” button option. Next, select “Art Therapy” by checking the box and scroll down to hit the blue “Search” button at the very bottom of the professions list.
This will show you the directory of Art Therapy programs, which are listed alphabetically by state. (There is more than one page of accredited programs.) Click on the program’s name to learn more.
California (2 programs)
Colorado (1 program)
Connecticut (1 program)
District of Columbia (Washington, DC) (1 program)
Florida (1 program)
Illinois (3 programs)
Indiana (3 programs)
Kansas (1 program)
Kentucky (1 program)
Maryland (1 program)
Massachusetts (2 programs)
Michigan (1 program)
Minnesota (1 program)
New Hampshire (1 program)
New Mexico (1 program)
New York (6 programs)
New Jersey (1 program)
Ohio (1 program)
Oregon (1 program)
Pennsylvania (5 programs)
Virginia (2 programs)
Washington (1 program)
Wisconsin (1 program)
Online/Hybrid*
To view all options, including fully online AND ALSO hybrid options which offer majority online supplemented by a few weeks of on-campus time, once you click on the “View Programs” link below, you must select “Accredited” from the drop-down menu of this search directory link. Selecting only the second option of “accredited online” will NOT take you to a full list of options.
Find a CAAHEP accredited program
EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS NOT INCLUDED UNDER THE CAAHEP ACCREDITATION PROCESS
SELECTING BETWEEN AN IN-PERSON OR ONLINE PROGRAM
*Each master’s program website will show what options exist for your studies. Since programs are always developing new ideas, it is essential you research each program, and how it is designed.
Full Onsite (In-Person) Delivery: Instruction is provided on campus, where instructors and students interact simultaneously in the same physical location. Internship experiences are completed within the region where the school is located.
Full Distance Education/Online Delivery: Instruction is provided through synchronous or asynchronous methods where the instructor and student are physically separated and using technology to interact. Internship experiences are completed in the student’s home community.
Hybrid or Low Residency Delivery: Instruction is provided using a combination of onsite (in-person) and distance education instruction, which may be synchronous or asynchronous. This method includes low-residency, which involves some amount of distance education and brief on-campus residencies which may be one weekend or several weeks. Internship experiences are completed in the student’s home community.
EMPLOYER VERIFICATION
Need verification for an employer of your program’s status? This chart provides historical verification of past AATA/EPAB Approvals. If you are instead needing a letter of current accreditation verification, these may be found through the “find an accredited program” search option of the CAAHEP directory.