Converse students will gain a solid foundation in studio art and psychology necessary to apply to art therapy graduate programs since a graduate-level art therapy degree is required in order to practice art therapy professionally.
Coursework:
Students pursuing an advanced degree in art therapy must have a strong foundation in studio art and psychology.
● Students may choose to pursue a BA in Studio Art with a minor in Psychology or an additional 12
hours of psychology prerequisites required to apply to a graduate program which include:
● PSY 100 - General Psychology
● PSY 276 - Theories of Personality
● PSY 374 - Abnormal Psychology
● PSY 380 - Human Growth and Development
● Students may choose to pursue a BFA in Studio Art with an additional 12 hours of psychology
prerequisites required to apply to a graduate program which include:
● PSY 100 - General Psychology
● PSY 276 - Theories of Personality
● PSY 374 - Abnormal Psychology
● PSY 380 - Human Growth and Development
● Students pursuing the BA or BFA in Studio Art will also need to register for an internship experience at a
social service agency. (This fulfills the experiential learning requirement for both majors.)
● It is recommended that students register for ART 311: Art for the Child if they are planning to work with
children.
● In addition to curricular requirements, students should pursue opportunities to volunteer with
organizations in the community which serve the populations they plan to work with in the future.
Please note: These prerequisites are generally universal requirements for graduate art therapy programs,
although each program sets their own admission requirements. Please visit the American Art Therapy
Association’s website for additional programs and details, they are organized by state.