I'm interested in combining my love for art with helping people and I've heard art therapy might be the right path. Which colleges offer strong programs in art therapy? I'm particularly interested in schools with good support and resources.
Art Therapy is a rewarding field that combines creative expression with psychological care. It's not a common major, but there are a few schools known for their robust art therapy programs.
Lesley University in Massachusetts has one of the oldest and most respected Art Therapy programs in the U.S. They offer a Bachelor of Science in Art Therapy as well as a Master’s in the same specialization.
Florida State University also has a renowned Art Therapy program. It's actually a combined bachelors/masters degree program—you earn both your undergraduate degree (in Studio Art, Psychology, or a related field), and a Master's in Art Therapy in a condensed period of time.
School of the Art Institute of Chicago offers a Master’s in Art Therapy and Counseling where students can learn clinical skills in their own on-site clinic.
Edinboro University of Pennsylvania offers a Bachelor’s in Art Therapy and also has a graduate program. Their program places emphasis on real-world experience; students are required to complete a minimum of 100 hours observing professionals in the field.
As always, it’s important to connect directly with each college’s department to validate program availability, curriculum details, resources, and support. Consider reaching out to current students or alumni in these programs too—they can provide valuable insight on what the program is really like.
Hope this helps in your college search. Good luck!
CollegeVine’s Q&A seeks to offer informed perspectives on commonly asked admissions questions. Every answer is refined and validated by our team of admissions experts to ensure it resonates with trusted knowledge in the field.