ART THERAPY PRE-PROFESSIONAL UNDERGRADUATE AND DOCTORAL PROGRAMS
A variety of colleges across the country offer undergraduate coursework or majors in art therapy, as pre-professional information.
While undergraduate coursework or a major in art therapy is not required to apply to graduate art therapy programs, 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!
Below is a listing of educational programs. It is not a comprehensive list, as new programs are created as the profession grows (Inclusion of a college on this list is not indicative of an endorsement by AATA, but is offered for information purposes.)
Learn more about master’s degree art therapy programs on this page.
UNDERGRADUATE PRE-PROFESSIONAL LEARNING
Florida
Scarfone Hartley Gallery, 310 North Blvd., Tampa, FL 33606
Program: BA in Art Therapy
Contact: Joseph Scarce, MA-AT, MFT, ATR-BC
Phone: (813) 257-3206
Email: Jscarce@ut.edu
Illinois
Millikin University
1184 W. Main St., Decatur, IL 62522
Program: BFA in Art Therapy or BA in Art Therapy
Contact: Jonathan Haag, DAT, LCSW, ATR-BC, Assistant Professor of Art Therapy
Phone: 217-424-6227
Email: jhaag@millikin.edu
Maryland
4701 North Charles Street, Baltimore, MD 21210
Program: BA in Art Therapy
Contact: Cathy Goucher, ATR-BC, LCPC, LCPAT, Art Therapy Program Director
Phone: 410-532-5382
Email: cgoucher@ndm.edu
Massachusetts
50 Sunset Lane, Paxton, MA 01612
Program: BA in Art Therapy
Contact: David Wackell, Administrative Assistant
Phone: 508-849-3450
Email: dwackell@annamaria.edu
Ohio
Ursuline College
2550 Lander Road, Pepper Pike, OH 44124
Program: BA in Art Therapy
Contact: Jennifer Schwartz Mrazek, MAAT, ATR-BC, Department Chair
Phone: 216-484-7030
Email: Jennifer.schwartz@ursuline.edu
Pennsylvania
Seton Hill University
One Seton Hill Drive, Greensburg, PA 15601
Program: Pre-Art Therapy major
Contact: Jennifer Beasley, Program Coordinator
Email: jbeasley@setonhill.edu
Temple University, Tyler School of Art and Architecture
2001 N. 13th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19122
Program: BA in Art Therapy
Contact: Dr. Lisa Kay, ATR-BC, Program Director
Phone: 215-777-9090
Email: tylerart@temple.edu
South Carolina
580 East Main St., Spartanburg, SC 29302
Program: BA in Art Therapy
Contact: Laura Zeisler, ATR-BC, LISW-CP, Assistant Professor of Art Therapy
Phone: 864-596-9314
Email: laura.zeisler@converse.edu
West Virginia
Department of Art Therapy and Counseling
208 University Drive, West Liberty, WV 26074
Program: BA in Creative Arts Therapy
Contact: Dr. Susan Ridley
Email: susan.ridley@westliberty.edu
DOCTORAL PROGRAMS
California
50 Acacia Avenue
San Rafael, CA 94901
Phone: (415) 485-3280
Program: Doctor of Philosophy in Art Therapy
Contact: Dr. Richard Carolan, PhD, ATR-BC
Phone: 650-508-3600 (Admissions), 650-508-3556 (Art Therapy Dept.)
Email: graduate@dominican.edu
Florida
143 Honors Way, William Johnston Building, #1032, Tallahassee, FL 32306
Program: PhD in Art Education with Major in Art Therapy
Contact: Dr. Barbara Parker-Bell, PsyD, ATR-BC
Email: bparkerbell@fsu.edu
Illinois
Massachusetts
Lesley University
29 Everett St., Cambridge, MA 02138
Program: Low Residency PhD Program in Expressive Therapies
Contact: For information about visitation days, campus tours, virtual information sessions and scheduling an appointment with an admissions counselor please visit here.
Phone: 617-349-8300
Email: luadmissions@lesley.edu