Art Therapy
The Bachelor of Art in Art Therapy at West Virginia University provides an interdisciplinary curriculum that includes art-making, psychology, and counseling coursework. Art therapy is a unique creative mental health profession targets specific therapeutic goals, promote healing and improve overall mental health and wellness.
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Blending studio art training with psychology and counseling skills, students in the art therapy major will develop robust pre-professional skills to pursue careers in the growing field of art therapy. Art therapy has shown to be beneficial in a variety of therapeutic settings and is becoming more and more popular as a treatment modality for anxiety reduction, substance use disorders and trauma recovery.
During their course of study, students will take 27 studio art credits, 12 credits of psychology and communications courses, and 12 credits in Therapeutic Art courses. In the Fall of their senior year, students take an art therapy capstone course to develop personal and professional knowledge into art therapy methods and approaches, prepare for application to graduate schools, and engage in various community-based art projects. Students will also earn a human services minor to further prepare for meaningful and dynamic creative work within their community.
In the professional field of art therapy, a Masters degree is required to practice. The undergraduate BA in Art Therapy degree at WVU is intended to prepare students for continued work and application to national graduate art therapy programs. As a stand-alone degree, the BA in Art Therapy will allow students to apply for entry-level human service positions in schools, community arts centers, rehabilitation facilities, or correctional institutions.
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