The American Art Therapy Association maintains strict educational, administrative and ethical standards for art therapy programs, and only 32 schools in the United States have obtained this standard. If you are looking for a rigorous program in art therapy, you will want to look at AATA-approved schools.
The School of the Art Institute of Chicago is an example of an AATA-approved school. Associated with one of the most prestigious art museums in the United States, the School of the Art Institute of Chicago would be a best choice for students who want to emphasize the role of studio practice in art therapy. In addition to a strong emphasis on theory, the program allows you to complete 900 hours of supervised field work with a variety of clients.
School of the Art Institute of Chicago
Art Therapy Department
37 South Wabash, Chicago, IL 60603-3103
312-899-7481
artic.edu
Wayne State University offers a MEd in Art Education/Art Therapy Concentration and a MA in Counseling with Art Therapy Concentration, degrees that would be a best choice for students who want to emphasize the clinical aspect of art therapy. This program offers a strong concentration on the pedagogical and therapeutic aspects of art therapy.
Wayne State University
163 Community Arts Building
Detroit, MI 48202
313-577-1823
wayne.edu
Although AATA-approved graduate programs have passed the rigorous standards of the American Art Therapy Association, that does not mean they are automatically the best school for you. Other graduate programs might not have applied for the AATA certification but are nationally accredited. In order to become a certified art therapist, your degree needs to be from an accredited college or university. Unique aspects of some of these art therapy programs not approved by the AATA might make them the best for you.
Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College is an example of a college that has not undergone the AATA certification but is accredited. If your current committments make it difficult to move away for college, you might want to consider Saint Mary-of-the-Woods. It is one of the few schools to offer an accredited art therapy graduate program online.
Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College
Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, IN 47876
812-535-5162
smwc.edu
Caldwell College is another college that offers a unique program that may make it a best choice for you even though it has not undergone the AATA certification. If you already have a master's degree and would like to transfer that experience to the field of art therapy, you might want to consider Caldwell. This accredited program offers an accredited art therapy degree for students who already have a master's degree in another field.
Caldwell College
120 Bloomfield Ave.
Caldwell, NJ 07006
973-618-3511
caldwell.edu
If you are just starting out in your quest to become an art therapist, you will want to find the bachelor's degree program that is best for you. The American Association of Art Therapists lists several programs that offer bachelor's degrees in art therapy.
If you would like to start your art therapy education at a college that offers bachelor's degree through doctoral-level education, you might want to consider Lesley University. Lesley's program is AATA-approved and is one of the oldest and largest in the country.
Lesley University
29 Everett St.
Cambridge, MA 02138
617-349-8433
lesley.edu
If cost is an issue, you might want to look at public options. As a public university, Long Island University offers a bachelor's degree in art therapy at a cost significantly lower than most private colleges, and its art therapy program is approved by the AATA.
Long Island University - C.W. Post Campus
720 Northern Blvd.
Brookville, NY 11548
516-299-2935
liu.edu/svpa/art/