The art therapy degree online program prepares those who aspire to serve better behavioral health, well-being, and personal growth to blend theory and practice in art with concepts in human psychology and behavior. Graduates of this online art therapy degree are equipped to serve in entry-level careers in the human service fields in such settings as social service agencies, nursing homes, residential treatment centers, schools and colleges. Plus, complete this art therapy bachelor’s degree at your own pace – in as little as two years!
100%
Online
3-4 Yrs
Program Length
120
Credit Hours
$525
Cost per Credit
What You’ll Learn
Lindenwood’s BA art therapy degree online, offering the opportunity to explore specialized aspects of human psychology, along with essentials in art production and expression. Develop an understanding of how artistic output can guide therapeutic psychology through coursework in:
- Art & Design
- Drawing
- Abnormal Psychology
- Human Development
Essential Skills & Insights
Coursework in this art therapy program online covers the following:
- Experiential Learning: build on learning through an in-program internship component that bridges course theory with applied learning in the field.
- Therapeutic Artistry: learn to apply artistic expression and techniques to therapeutic interventions.
- Multi-Discipline Expertise: gain a mastery in key areas of artistic production and expression and human psychology.
- Transferrable Curriculum: real-world coursework can be directly applied to the field even before degree completion.
Accreditations, Certificates, & Credentials
Through the Art Therapy Credentials Board, art therapy degree online students who go on to complete a master’s degree in art therapy can pursue practitioner credentialing at the national level, including:
- Provisional Registered Art Therapist (ATR-P)
- Registered Art Therapist (ATR)
- Board Certification (ATR-BC)
- Art Therapy Certified Supervisor (ATCS)
Prepare for a Master’s in Art Therapy with Purpose-Built Bachelor’s Degree
The art therapy degree online is a pathway to a graduate school degree in this field that can help you gain the education you need to pursue a role as a Certified Art Therapist, which requires a master’s or higher degree credential. Lindenwood’s art therapy degree online gives you the multi-disciplinary foundation you need to prepare for the rewarding field of art therapy. This program covers foundational art therapy concepts and practices to prepare students to continue on with advanced art therapy studies. According to the American Art Therapy Association, some studies of studio art methods and psychology can be required, or at least helpful – this program has exactly that!
Why Isn’t this an Art Therapy Bachelor’s Degree?
The bachelor’s degree in pre-art therapy is a pathway to a graduate degree in this field that can help you gain the education you need to pursue a role as a certified art therapist, which requires a master’s or higher degree credential. This pre-professional art therapy degree online covers foundational art therapy concepts and practices to prepare students to continue on with advanced art therapy studies.
Career Outlook
Graduates of our online art therapy degree program have an opportunity to help others achieve better behavioral health and overall well-being in roles such as Senior Center Activities Director, Corrections Art Educator, Art Teacher or Professor, and Art Therapist or Psychologist. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), postsecondary art teachers can earn a median annual salary of $77,250.
Tuition Details
The cost per credit hour for this art therapy degree online program is $495. Besides being ranked No. 17 on Niche.com’s list of Best Value Colleges in Missouri, we build in unique financial aid benefits such as our 20 percent discount per credit hour for returning alumni pursuing their master’s degree.
Besides affordable value, we offer financial aid opportunities to make the most of this value. If you need assistance completing your FAFSA you can find and connect with your financial aid advisor here. Additionally, we offer a number of scholarships, as well as discounts for those students employed through partners in our Corporate Gold Program.
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Admissions Requirements
For admission to your art therapy degree online program, you will need to complete your online application and submit the following documents:
- Online Application
- Official transcripts
All colleges and universities previously attended. If you have fewer than 24 college credits, you will need to submit your official high school transcript.
If cumulative college GPA is below a 2.0, the following will also be required:
- Résumé
- Letter of intent/personal statement
(1–2 page document indicating your interest in the program and Lindenwood)
Curriculum Overview
The online Bachelor’s in Pre-Art Therapy program at Lindenwood University offers a comprehensive curriculum that combines foundational art courses with psychology studies. With this comprehensive curriculum, you will study art and design, drawing, digital foundations, abnormal psychology, human development, and visual storytelling. This interdisciplinary approach prepares students for an advanced education in art therapy and equips them with the skills to support mental health and well-being through creative expression.
Major Coursework – 21 Credit Hours
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| AAD 10000 | Introduction to Art and Design | 3 |
| AAD 10600 | Design Foundations | 3 |
| AAD 12000 | Digital Foundations | 3 |
| AAD 13000 | Drawing I | 3 |
| AAD 13600 | 3D Design | 3 |
| ARTH 22300 | Global Art History I: Rise of Cities and Empires | 3 |
| ARTH 22500 | Global Art History II: Canvases and Courts of Power | 3 |
Psychology Coursework – 9 Credit Hours
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| PSY 10000 | Principles of Psychology | 3 |
| PSY 20500 | Human Development | 3 |
| PSY 30300 | Abnormal Psychology | 3 |
Elective Coursework – 3 Credit Hours
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| PSY 20800 | Child Psychology | 3 |
| PSY 23500 | Death, Dying, Life, & Living | 3 |
| PSY 30800 | Psychology of Women & Gender | 3 |
| PSY 30900 | Personality | 3 |
| PSY 31200 | Psychology of Aging | 3 |
| PSY 31300 | Psychology of Adolescence | 3 |
Studio Art Coursework – 12 Credit Hours
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| AAD 14000 | Visual Storytelling | 3 |
| AAD 18101 | Digital Photography I | 3 |
| AAD 20000 | Painting I | 3 |
| AAD 21500 | Printmaking I | 3 |
| AAD 22100 | Sculpture I | 3 |
| AAD 22600 | Digital Art I | 3 |
| AAD 23400 | Fibers I | 3 |
| AAD 33000 | Drawing II | 3 |
| AAD 33100 | Figure Drawing I | 3 |
Practical Application Coursework – 3 Credit Hours
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| CAH 44444 | Internship | 1-6 |
Pre-Art Therapy Minors
- Art, Production, and Design
- English, Language, and Interdisciplinary Studies
- Human Culture and Society
- Media, Communications, and Cinema
- Performing Arts
- Writing (MFA)
Transfer Credits
Lindenwood offers a generous transfer policy of up to 90 credits toward your art therapy degree online completion to further offset tuition costs. This means you can complete your degree in as few as 30 credit hours at Lindenwood—saving you time and money on your education!
Plus, you can personalize your transfer experience through Lindenwood’s Transfer Guides. These guides are part of our articulation partnerships with area community college to help you get the most value from your transfer credit.
Career Opportunities
Art Therapist
Support patients with a variety of physical, emotional, and mental challenges through effective creative therapy practices.
Community Service Manager
Oversee and coordinate social service programs and community organizations, integrating art therapy techniques to benefit clients.
Activities Director
Develop and manage art therapy programs in schools, nursing homes, residential treatment centers, and other settings.
Frequently Asked Questions
Pre-art therapy is an educational focus at the bachelor’s level in art therapy concepts and practices to prepare students to pursue more advanced studies in this area, and ultimately practice as an art therapist.
No, most art therapy degree online programs do not require you to be an artist, however, an artistic aptitude is helpful as art is the core therapeutic approach within this type of therapy.
This pre-professional art therapy bachelor’s degree online does not offer any certification in art therapy, however, it is a pre-professional steppingstone to advanced education and practice in the art therapy field.
Art as a therapeutic approach is generally self-prescribed and self-directed, whereas art therapy relies on the guidance of an accredited and board-certified art therapist. Art therapy exists at the intersection of professional therapeutic expertise and concepts and practices within art.
Art therapy and online art therapy programs require a deep knowledge of human psychology and behavior. In addition, an understanding of art theory and practice as they interact with therapeutic interventions within behavioral health, so a student or practitioner of art therapy is required to grasp technical and artistic concepts and applications across multiple disciplines.
Related Programs
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