Best Master’s in Art Therapy Programs

Cost per Credit:

In-State | $782

Out-of-State | $782

Credits to Graduate: 90 quarter-credits

Drexel's MA in art therapy and counseling prepares graduates to become licensed counselors in Pennsylvania and nationally certified art therapists. The curriculum combines art therapy coursework in subjects like foundations of creative art therapies and mindfulness with general education courses, including DSM and psychopathology and behavioral research.

This master's in art therapy and counseling requires a supervised field experience beginning at the start of the first quarter-semester. Drexel reported a 92% employment rate for graduates of this program in 2022. 

Cost per Credit:

In-State | $589

Out-of-State | $959

Credits to Graduate: 60

IUPUI's master's in art therapy program prepares graduates for counseling certification in Indiana and national provisional registration as an art therapist. The coursework explores applying art theory and incorporating the creative process in a therapeutic setting.

Students must complete a 1,000-hour supervised practicum and internship experience in an Indiana-based medical or healthcare facility. Students who graduated in 2022 boasted a 100% employment rate in art therapy or a related field within six months of earning this MA degree. 

Programmatic Accreditation: Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs, Accreditation Council for Art Therapy Education

Cost per Credit:

In-State | $800

Out-of-State | $800

Credits to Graduate: 60

Mount Mary University's MS in art therapy with an emphasis in counseling is the only art therapy graduate program in Wisconsin accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs and the Accreditation Council for Art Therapy Education. The coursework covers cognitive knowledge, psychomotor skills, and affective behavior learning models.

Students must complete a 700-1,000-hour supervised training experience and a culminating project. Graduates can become licensed counselors in Wisconsin and registered and board-certified by the Art Therapy Credentials Board. 

Cost per Credit:

In-State | $775

Out-of-State | $775

Credits to Graduate: 60

Cedar Crest College's MA in art therapy prepares graduates to become board-certified art therapists and licensed professional counselors in Pennsylvania. The college offers an optional low-residency program, which combines online synchronous coursework with two-week summer residencies on campus. 

MA candidates must complete a supervised internship experience. Course subjects include psychopathology, cultural perspectives in art therapy, and group art therapy. The master's in art therapy culminates in a final project.

Programmatic Accreditation: Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs, American Art Therapy Association

Cost per Credit:

In-State | $1,300

Out-of-State | $1,300

Credits to Graduate: 60

Lesley's master's in clinical mental health counseling emphasizes expressive arts therapy, incorporating music, drama, dance, writing, and visual arts. Graduates can become licensed counselors in Massachusetts and nationally registered expressive arts therapists.

The MA in expressive therapies requires 1,150 hours of clinical internship training. Lesley's recent expressive therapy graduates reported a 95% success rate in finding employment or furthering their education in the field of clinical art therapy or counseling.  

Programmatic Accreditation: Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs

Cost per Credit:

In-State | $2,185

Out-of-State | $2,185

Credits to Graduate: 60

NYU's MA in art therapy blends psychotherapy knowledge and skills with visual arts practice. The program begins with foundational coursework in both studio art and the theory and practice of art therapy. Graduates can become registered art therapists or licensed creative arts therapists in New York.

The MA in art therapy includes a 1,000-hour internship requirement and culminates in a thesis project. NYU boasts a 100% positive placement rate for 2020-2021 MA in art therapy graduates in art therapy or a related field. 

Programmatic Accreditation: National Association of Schools of Art and Design

Cost per Credit:

In-State | $865

Out-of-State | $865

Credits to Graduate: 60

Nazareth's MS in creative arts therapy emphasizes an interdisciplinary approach, offering coursework in co-therapies, including music, social work, and speech-language pathology. The art therapy clinic experience exceeds the hours required to become a licensed creative arts therapist in New York.

Students can choose an optional early-intervention interprofessional concentration through the Rochester Scholars program. Nazareth's MS in art therapy graduates reported an 88% job placement rate in positions including art therapist, clinician, and mental health therapist in 2022.

Programmatic Accreditation: Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs

Cost per Credit:

In-State | $690

Out-of-State | $690

Credits to Graduate: 64

NDMU's MA in art therapy is the only one of its kind in the state, preparing graduates to become licensed professional art therapists in Maryland. The curriculum covers advanced therapeutic techniques, art therapy theory and methodology, and studio art practice.

Students must complete a supervised clinical practicum at an approved off-campus location. 100% of NDMU art therapy graduates were employed in their field of study within six months of graduation in 2022. 

Programmatic Accreditation: Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs, National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education, Pennsylvania Department of Education

Cost per Credit:

In-State | $880

Out-of-State | $880

Credits to Graduate: 60

Marywood's MA in art therapy combines courses in art therapy, psychology, and studio art. The curriculum also includes a supervised practicum experience, qualifying graduates to become licensed professional counselors in Pennsylvania and nationally certified art therapists.

Marywood holds an annual graduate art therapy symposium exhibition to display student work. Approximately 86% of 2021-2022 graduates reported becoming employed as art therapists within one year of graduation from the master's in art therapy program.

Programmatic Accreditation: Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Program, Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs

Cost per Credit:

In-State | $1,085

Out-of-State | $1,085

Credits to Graduate: 63

Caldwell University's MA in clinical mental health counseling offers an art therapy specialization. Coursework explores subjects including art-based assessment in counseling, treatment of trauma, and advanced studio in art therapy. Students must complete a clinical practicum and internship and pass a comprehensive final exam.

Graduates with a master's in counseling and art therapy can earn professional counselor and professional art therapist licensure in New Jersey. The 2022-2023 cohort boasts a 100% job placement rate in settings including mental health clinics, schools, and residential treatment centers.