The Bachelor of Arts in Art with Pre-Professional Concentration in Art Therapy program is designed to prepare students to enter an accredited master’s degree program in art therapy. Art therapy is an interdisciplinary human service profession that employs the creation of art as a means of resolving emotional conflicts, fostering self-awareness and personal growth in education, rehabilitation and psychotherapy. It incorporates psychology, art and therapeutic techniques to provide a creative alternative to conventional therapies. To become a registered art therapist, the American Art Therapy Association (AATA) has determined that one must possess a master’s degree from an AATA-accredited program. Entry into such a graduate program is normally based upon three criteria: (1) art skills evidenced by studio coursework and portfolio, (2) coursework in the behavioral sciences, particularly psychology, (3) clinical or community experience such as internships, volunteer work or professional work in the social sciences.

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