The American Art Therapy Association (AATA) is the official governing body for professional art therapy programs and development. In order to become an art therapist, one must complete an AATA approved graduate art therapy program. The AATA approves schools' graduate art therapy programs on an individual basis. Unapproved schools cannot give out art therapy degrees. AATA does not dictate requirements for undergraduate programs, aside from recommending 18 credits in Studio Art, and 12 credits in Psychology which must include: an Abnormal Psychology course, a Cognitive or Social Development course, and an Introduction to Psychology course.

Alfred University does not currently offer a graduate program in art therapy, however, the following is a comprehensive sequence of courses that Alfred University offers to prepare students planning to apply to an art therapy graduate program (without having to fulfill requirements for a BFA degree and a Psychology minor, or a Psychology major and an Interdisciplinary Art minor).

Studio Art Coursework

Eighteen (18) credits in studio art - can be attained through the BFA degree, Interdisciplinary Art (BA) degree, or standalone Interdisciplinary Art courses.

Psychology Coursework

Twelve (12) credits in psychology - can be attained through the Psychology major, Psychology minor, or standalone Psychology courses.

PSYC 101	Introduction to Psychology - 4 credits
PSYC 265 or PSYC 365	Social Development or Cognitive Development - 4 credits
PSYC 385	Abnormal Psychology - 4 credits

Note: Art Education minors are excellent candidates for an art therapy sequence since they automatically fulfill the AATA mandate of 18 credits in Studio Art, needing only to fulfill the 12 credits in Psychology specified above.

Additional Coursework

For students who wish to delve more deeply into art therapy-related areas of study, Alfred University also offers the following relevant courses.

PSYC 300	Introduction to Art Therapy - 3 credits
PSYC 471	Child Psychopathology - 3 credits (pre-requisite: PSYC 265, 365, 385, or permission of instructor)
PSYC 341	Theories of Personality - 4 credits
PSYC 310	Communication and Counseling Skills - 2 credits
EDUC 491	Methods and Curriculum in Art Education - 3 credits
SPED 456	Human Development: Exceptionalities - 3 credits ( pre-requisite: EDUC 230 or EDUC 231 or permission of instructor)

Note: some of the courses listed above are only offered on an intermittent basis. Students should verify offerings prior to registration.

More Information Art Education Careers in Art and Design Psychology Division Undergraduate Art Portfolio American Art Therapy Association

Contacts Robin Howard, Assistant Dean School of Art and Design Ph: 607.871.2480 Email Corrie Burdick, Assistant Professor of Education College of Professional Studies Ph: 607.871.2810 Email Gordon Atlas, Professor of Psychology College of Liberal Arts and Sciences Ph: 607.871.2213 Email