Bachelor’s in Pre-Art Therapy
Heal Through your Artistry
The online bachelor’s degree in pre-art therapy program prepares those who aspire to serve better behavioral health and well-being to blend theory and practice in art with concepts in human psychology and behavior. Graduates of this pre-art therapy bachelor’s degree online 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 degree at your own pace – in as little as two years!
Program at a Glance
3-4 years
Duration
120
Credit Hours
$495
Cost per Credit
100%
Online
Accreditations, Certificates, & Credentials
Through the Art Therapy Credentials Board, online pre-art therapy degree 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)
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 program covers foundational art therapy concepts and practices to prepare students to continue on with advanced art therapy studies.
Course Spotlight
Your online bachelor’s degree in pre-art therapy program covers essential areas within human psychology and artistic expression and production. Enrich core studies in psychology, art and design through topical exploration in the following specialized areas:
- Visual Storytelling
- Drawing
- Abnormal Psychology
- Human Development
Essential Skills & Insights
Coursework in this pre-art therapy online degree program 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.
Career Outlook
Graduates of our bachelor’s degree in pre-art therapy 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.
Admissions Requirements
For admission to your degree in pre-art therapy 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)
Tuition
The cost per credit hour for this pre-art therapy bachelor’s 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 benefits such as our 20 percent discount per credit hour for returning alumni pursuing their master’s degree.
Transfer Credits
Lindenwood offers a generous transfer policy of up to 90 credits toward your bachelor’s degree in pre-art therapy 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.
Related Programs
Interested in discovering related programs? Explore the following programs to find the best fit for your future:
- Bachelor’s in Art & Design, BA/BFA
- Bachelor’s in Game Design
- Bachelor’s in Art History & Visual Culture, BA
If you aren’t sure which program is right for you, filling out the form on this page and speaking to a Lindenwood representative is the best way to determine your path forward!
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 there is no requirement to be an artist, however, an artistic aptitude is helpful as art is the core therapeutic approach within this type of therapy.
This degree 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 as an educational focus and practice requires a deep knowledge of human psychology and behavior, as well as 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.
Why Choose Lindenwood University Online?
Since 1832, Lindenwood University has served students worldwide with affordable, high-quality academic programs providing real experience and real success. After nearly 200 years of academic excellence, Lindenwood is committed to a set of core values, including integrity, dedication, excellence, creativity, and community.
Quality
We evolve our online degree programs to reflect the latest in academic research and innovation and to meet the top standards of higher education.
Affordability
We are committed to offering our students studying online low tuition rates on top of multiple ways to save on your education.
Career-Focused
Our programs align curriculum to industry realities from experienced instructors who share real-world insights.
Support
We employ experts who are dedicated to helping our students with financial aid planning, enrollment counseling, tutoring services, and more.
We are committed to helping you succeed.
Throughout each step of your online degree program, you will receive support. From enrollment and tuition planning to staying on the right track, your support team is there to ensure your success.