Art Therapist Schools

Art therapy has contributed to the field of human services for almost 100 years. Professionals encourage patients to understand their emotions though the use of artistic expression. By the 1950s, U.S. psychiatrists began to understand the benefits of art therapy with difficult patients.Today, it is an accepted therapy for a variety of needs in individual and group counseling. Training for a degree in art therapy occurs at the graduate level, after completing the required undergraduate coursework. Entry into the profession also requires post-education supervised experience. In the United States, 32 graduate institutions offer programs certified by the American Art Therapy Association. Most programs last two years.

Pratt Institute

• Since 1887, the Pratt Institute has contributed to the discipline of art. With its convenient location in Brooklyn, NY undergraduates and graduates are exposed to a variety of museums and art galleries, just outside their door. The motto of the college, "be true to your work, and your work will be true to you" still applies to the student body today. Pratt offers three art therapy degree programs: M.P.S. in art therapy and creativity development, M.P.S. in art therapy (special education) and the M.S. in dance/movement therapy. All programs are under the umbrella of Pratt's Department of Creative Arts Therapy -- one of the oldest graduate creative arts therapy training programs in the nation. Upon graduation and certification, students are ready to work in after-school programs, psychiatric inpatient and outpatient units, and therapeutic nurseries.

Florida State University

• Florida State University is a diverse college located in Tallahassee -- Florida's state capital. With 14 schools, ranging from the College of Arts and Sciences to the College of Social Work, students have many academic options. Under the College of Visual Arts, Theatre, and Dance the institution coordinates six academic departments including the Department of Art Education -- home to the art therapy program. Graduate students undertake a two-year, two-summer program studying theory, practice and research. Art therapy is also offered at the doctoral level.

Southwestern College

• Art therapists provide individual or group counseling.

  Originally known as Quimby College, the institution has offered "innovative and holistic" education since 1976. Located in Santa Fe, Southwestern College of New Mexico is an accredited graduate school offering two master's degrees: M.A. in counseling and the M.A. in art therapy/counseling. Students in the art therapy program complete 97 credits in courses beginning with counseling theory and practice and finishing with the art therapy internship.

Marylhurst University

• At the Marylhurst campus, just south of Portland, students work toward bachelor's, master's and certificate programs. The college is the oldest Catholic university in Oregon, first founded by the Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary. The M.A. in art therapy counseling program synthesizes the students' background in visual arts with the study of psychotherapy and counseling. Along with coursework like cross-cultural counseling and art therapy and psychopathology, students spend extensive practicum time in a clinical setting.

  Individuals who hold a master's or doctoral degree in a related field, may opt to enter the Post-graduate Certificate in Art Therapy program. Art therapists looking to enrich their career, often enter the Post-graduate Certificate in Counseling program. (See Reference 3)