Art (Art Therapy), BFA
Explore the healing power of creativity through art therapy. You can study rigorous studio art practice alongside psychology coursework, building the foundation for a practice that leverages art as a tool to enhance mental and emotional health and wellness.
Quick facts
Locations
Courses
Additional facts
STEM-OPT extension eligible: No
International students (F1), this program is not eligible for the STEM-OPT extension.
Accreditation
Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Degree description
Art (Art Therapy) degree description
The Bachelor of Fine Arts program with a concentration in art therapy is the only one of its kind in the Southwestern U.S. This program brings together mental health and artistic practice. You are educated in art therapy concepts, methodologies and fundamental principles, as well as in the history and traditions of art production. Courses include art history, art education, art therapy, psychology, studio art and professional development, including internships, pro-practice, seminars and exhibitions.
All registered art therapists are required to gain board certification, which includes a master's degree in art therapy. The courses offered in this program meet the requirements for entry into credentialed American Art Therapy Association art therapy graduate programs, including the required 18 hours of undergraduate courses in psychology and 18 hours in studio art.
Why specialize in art therapy at ASU?
You benefit from the only art therapy concentration of its kind in the Southwest. This distinction reflects both the rarity of undergraduate art therapy pathways nationally and ASU's position at the intersection of arts education and mental health innovation.
The concentration's trauma-informed, person-centered framework was built from the ground up by a practicing art therapist with graduate clinical experience. You graduate with both a BFA and the exact prerequisites required to apply to the nation's leading graduate art therapy programs. This dual credential head start gives you an advantage that most pathways to art therapy cannot offer.
Additional details
You benefit from ASU's broader mental health and health sciences ecosystem, including connections to the medical school and health-focused research across the university. You can also learn from School of Art galleries, visiting artist lectures and the ASU Art Museum, which provide ongoing exhibition and professional development opportunities alongside your therapeutic practice curriculum.
Courses
Explore a sample list of courses you may take in this program.
| Sample courses |
|---|
| ARS 201 Art of Asia |
| ARA 396 Professional Practices for Design and the Arts |
| ARA 240 Encounters with Contemporary Art |
| ART 111 Foundation Drawing |
| ART 113 Pictorial Investigations and Color Theory |
| ART 114 Expanded Arts Studio |
Course checksheet and curriculum archive
The curriculum checksheet displays this program's required courses and other requirements you must complete for graduation.
Current ASU students, see how your courses can apply to another major and find out how to change your major (opens in new window).
Already completed some college courses? Build on your success.
If you earned college credit outside ASU, our transfer tools map out your progress towards a degree and help you plan next steps.
See how your credits may apply (opens in new window)Admission requirements
Here are the admission and application details
All students are required to meet general university admission requirements.
First year (opens in new window) | Transfer (opens in new window) | International (opens in new window) | Readmission (opens in new window)
A current ASU student has no additional requirements for changing majors.
Students should visit the Change of Major form (opens in new window) for information about how to change a major to this program.
Explore expanded study opportunities
When you pursue concurrent degrees (also known as a “double major”), you earn two distinct degrees and receive two diplomas. Working with your academic advisor, you can create your own concurrent degree combination. Some combinations are not possible due to high levels of overlap in curriculum.
With more than 300 Global Education program opportunities available to them, art therapy students are able to tailor their experience to their specific interests and skill sets. Whether in a foreign country, in the U.S. or online, students build communication skills, learn to adapt and persevere, and are exposed to research and internships around the world, increasing their professional network.
Art therapy majors interested in study abroad are advised to consider programs focused on either psychology or art.
Paying for college
Use our calculator to estimate your full-time or part-time tuition fees for this program prior to any financial aid. Keep in mind that most of our students recieve financial aid, which can reduce out-of-pocket costs.
Get an estimate
Build the career and future you want
Our graduates are prepared for a variety of career paths, including:
| Career | Growth | Median Salary | More Information |
|---|---|---|---|
| Art Director | 4.2% | $114,850 | Learn more |
| Art Professor | 2.2% | $78,620 | Learn more |
| Art Therapist | 12.6% | $77,930 | Learn more |
| Community Specialist | 5.5% | $56,730 | Learn more |
| Counselor (General) | 5.9% | $50,860 | Learn more |
| Craft Artist | 2.0% | $46,080 | Learn more |
| Fine Artist | -2.9% | $55,490 | Learn more |
| Therapist (General) | 12.6% | $77,930 | Learn more |
Example job titles and salaries listed are not necessarily entry level, and students should take into consideration how years of experience and geographical location may affect pay scales. Some jobs also may require advanced degrees, certifications or state-specific licensure.
Data obtained from the Occupational Information Network (O*NET) under sponsorship of the U.S. Department of Labor/Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA).
More about careers
Careers this art therapy concentration prepares you for
Graduates are well prepared for entry-level positions in community art programs, youth programs and other social service programs, as well as entry-level art therapy positions, including art therapy assistant. Graduates have the guidance and tools to advance their academic careers and pursue professional opportunities, including exhibitions, residencies and grants.
Graduates are also prepared to pursue graduate study in art therapy --- required to become a registered art therapist --- and eventually gain board certification.
Contact information
Use the contact information below to get in touch if you're a current student or have general questions.
Prospective students should fill out the Request for Information form.
School of Art
|
ART 151
soaadmin@asu.edu
480-965-8521
Frequently asked questions about degree programs
Accelerated programs allow students the opportunity to expedite the completion of their degree.
Accelerated master's
These programs allow students to accelerate their studies to earn a bachelor's plus a master's degree in as few as five years (for some programs).
Each program has requirements students must meet to be eligible for consideration. Students typically receive approval to pursue the accelerated master's during the junior year of their bachelor's degree program. Interested students can learn about eligibility requirements and how to apply.
Concurrent degrees allow students to pursue their own personal or professional interests, earn two distinct degrees and receive two diplomas. To add a concurrent degree to your existing degree, work with your academic advisor.
Joint programs, or jointly conferred degrees, are offered by more than one college and provide opportunities for students to take advantage of the academic strengths of two academic units. Upon graduation, students are awarded one degree and one diploma conferred by two colleges.
ASU adds new programs to Degree Search frequently. Come back often and look for the "New Programs" option.
ASU Online offers programs in an entirely online format with multiple enrollment sessions throughout the year. See https://asuonline.asu.edu/ for more information.
