ART THERAPY PRE-PROFESSIONAL UNDERGRADUATE 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
Colorado
Boulder, Colorado 80302-6602
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
Mercyhurst University
501 East 38th Street, Erie, Pennsylvania 16546
Program: BA in Art Therapy
Contact: Heather Denning, M.A., LPAT, ATR-BC, ATCS, LSW, Director of Art Therapy
Email: hdenning@mercyhurst.edu
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
UNDERGRADUATE PRE-ART THERAPY GUIDELINES
The American Art Therapy Association’s Undergraduate Pre-Art Therapy Education Guidelines offer a comprehensive resource for educators and institutions involved in undergraduate art therapy programs. Developed to ensure ethical and relevant practices, these guidelines support a variety of educational formats and help prepare students for graduate-level art therapy studies. They provide direction for constructing and delivering rigorous coursework, serving both prospective students and professionals seeking to develop or teach pre-art therapy courses.
To learn more, watch this recorded discussion led by Heather Denning and Jennifer Schwartz of the AATA Undergraduate Education Committee.
