The BA/BFA in Art Therapy prepares you for graduate study in art therapy by familiarizing you with the general principles and concepts applicable to the field. This course of study also assists you in making an informed choice regarding art therapy as a career. In addition to studio art and Art History requirements, you are required to take Psychology, Sociology, Anthropology, and Art Therapy. Students should meet with the Chair of the Department and their adviser about this degree.
The Art Therapy major can be elected as a BA or BFA Art Therapy majors who choose to obtain the BFA will earn a minimum of 20 credits above the usual 120 credits needed for graduation in order to fulfill requirements for the BFA in Art Therapy major. NOTE: There is no minor in art therapy.
Internship/ Fieldwork
Students are required to understand and apply basic principles of psychological theories to art therapy practice, understand basic principles of group dynamics, as well as demonstrate familiarity with the working properties of various media and design principles.
In order to reach the clinical experience, you must complete Introduction to Art Therapy, Intermediate Art Therapy, and Media and Applications courses, along with the required Psychology, Sociology, and Anthropology courses with a grade of C or above. Then, you will be interviewed by the Internship Supervisor to ensure readiness, level of maturity, and fit with the desired location for placement in the supervised clinical situation.
In the clinical setting, you are familiarized with some of the more common environments in which art therapy is practiced and exposed to a range of situations involving individuals with a broad range of needs and challenges.
Bachelor of Arts Requirements
Credits
50 credits in Studio Art and Art History, 38 credits in Psychology and Art Therapy, plus Undergraduate Curriculum requirements and electives to total 120 credits
The Art Therapy major can be elected as a BA or BFA Art Therapy majors who choose to obtain the BFA will earn a minimum of 20 credits above the usual 120 credits needed for graduation in order to fulfill requirements for the BFA in Art Therapy major. NOTE: There is no minor in art therapy.
Three Studio Art Courses (9 credits)
- FA 102 Studio Art Foundations I (3 credits)
- FA 103 Studio Art Foundations II (3 credits)
- FA 104 Drawing I (3 credits)
- FA 105 Drawing II (3 credits)
Studio Art Courses (24 credits)
All four of these courses must be taken:
- FA 200 Painting I (3 credits)
- FA 203 Printmaking I (3 credits)
- FA 204 Ceramics I (3 credits)
- FA 205 Metals and Jewelry I (3 credits)
Three advanced courses in a chosen studio concentration, to total 12 credits.
Four Art Therapy Courses (at least 14 credits)
- AT 200 Introduction to Art Therapy
- AT 210 Intermediate Art Therapy
- AT 310 Art Therapy: Applications and Techniques
- AT 365 Internship in Art Therapy (2 or 4 credits)
Four Psychology Courses (16 credits)
- PY 111 Introduction to Psychology
- PY 205 Adult Psychopathology
Two courses from the following:
- PY 212 Developmental Psychology
- ED 214 Introduction to Inclusive Education
- PY 238 Adolescence
- PY 142 Research Methods
Two Sociology and Anthropology Courses (8 credits)
- SO 101 Introductory Sociology
- AN 120 Cultural Anthropology
Senior Capstone Experience (9 credits)
- AT 383 Senior Studio (2 credits)
- FA 484 Senior Seminar (3 credits)
- AT 490 Senior Thesis (4 credits)
- FA 490L Senior Thesis Lecture (0 credits)
Bachelor of Fine Arts Requirements
Credits
66 credits in Studio Art and Art History, 38 credits in Psychology and Art Therapy, plus Undergraduate Curriculum requirements and electives to total 148 credits
The Art Therapy major can be elected as a BA or BFA Art Therapy majors who choose to obtain the BFA will earn a minimum of 20 credits above the usual 120 credits needed for graduation in order to fulfill requirements for the BFA in Art Therapy. NOTE: There is no minor in art therapy
Four Studio Art Courses (12 credits)
- FA 102 Studio Art Foundations I (3 credits)
- FA 103 Studio Art Foundations II (3 credits)
- FA 104 Drawing I (3 credits)
- FA 105 Drawing II (3 credits)
Studio Art Courses (27 credits)
- Four courses in a chosen studio concentration, to total 15 credits
- Additional studio electives, to total 12 credits, recommended in Painting, Printmaking, and Metals and Jewelry
Three Art History Courses (12 credits)
One 100-level course in Art History, including:
- AH 111 Western Art: Renaissance to Modern or
- AH 112 Western Art: Prehistory to Medieval
- One 200-level course in Art History
- One 300-level course in Art History
Four Psychology Courses (16 credits)
- PY 111 Introduction to Psychology
- PY 205 Adult Psychopathology
Two courses from the following:
- PY 212 Developmental Psychology
- ED 214 Introduction to Inclusive Education
- PY 238 Adolescence
- PY 142 Research Methods
Four Art Therapy Courses (at least 14 credits)
- AT 200 Introduction to Art Therapy
- AT 210 Intermediate Art Therapy
- AT 310 Art Therapy: Applications and Techniques
- AT 365 Internship in Art Therapy (2 or 4 credits)
Two Sociology and Anthropology Courses (8 credits)
- SO 101 Introductory Sociology
- AN 120 Cultural Anthropology
Senior Capstone Experience (15 credits)
- AT 383 Senior Studio (2 credits)
- FA 383 Senior Studio (2 credits)
- FA 484 Senior Seminar (3 credits)
- AT 490 Senior Thesis (4 credits)
- SI 490 Senior Thesis (4 credits)
- FA 490L Senior Thesis Lecture (0 credits)
