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Art TherapyMajor

This major blends art-making, psychology and counseling coursework to prepare you for a unique, creative mental health profession.

Overview

What is Art Therapy at WVU like?

Description

The Art Therapy program at WVU blends art-making, psychology and counseling coursework to prepare you for a career in a unique, creative mental health profession that targets specific therapeutic goals, promotes healing and improves overall mental health and wellness.

As an Art Therapy student, you will take:

  • 27 studio art credits,
  • 12 credits of psychology and communications courses,
  • 12 credits in therapeutic art courses
  • and courses that focus on art therapy and art education and how those fields can work collaboratively.

In the fall of your senior year, you'll take an art therapy capstone course to develop personal and professional knowledge of art therapy methods and approaches, prepare for applying to graduate school and engage in various community-based art projects.

You will also graduate with a human services minor, which provides additional preparation to work in social services, mental health and substance abuse agencies.

At a Glance

Next Steps

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Fast Facts

What makes Art Therapy at WVU unique?

Living-Learning Communities (LLCs)

Live, study and pursue outside-the-classroom learning in a residence hall community that shares your interests:

Transfer Articulation Agreements

To simplify the transfer process, we have formal agreements with certain institutions. These agreements outline the courses you should take to prepare for transferring to WVU. Review the full list of transfer articulation agreements to see if your institution is listed.

Professional Organizations

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Careers

How does this degree prepare students for a career?

A master’s degree is required to practice as an art therapist. The undergraduate degree in Art Therapy is designed to prepare students for graduate study in art therapy.

The BA Art Therapy degree curriculum provides coursework for students to gain foundational studio art proficiencies, counseling and interpersonal skills, and engage in hands-on learning activities through self-exploration and community arts engagement.

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.

Possible Careers

Wondering what you can do with a degree from WVU's Art Therapy major? Check out these ideas from WVU Career Services and the Occupational Information Network (O*NET). A median salary is the midpoint of what people typically earn—half of those surveyed earned above the median salary, and half earned below.

This page includes information from O*NET OnLine by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license.

Courses

What are the courses like in Art Therapy at WVU?

Plan of Study

Check out a program overview, learning goals, course descriptions and suggested plan of study for WVU's Art Therapy major.

View the Plan of Study
 

Popular Courses

ART 410:
Introduction to Visual Arts Therapy

PR: Course open to undergrads in art, counseling, psychology, education, or special education. Introduces students to basic principles and practices of visual arts therapy through historical background, theoretical frameworks, and in-field issues. Provides information on pioneers in the field, how and where art therapists practice, training required for the profession, as well as interactive art explorations to incorporate art therapy principles into their own teaching and/or artistic practice. Online lectures and discussion.

ART 411:
Theory of Art Education & Art Therapy

PR: ART 410 and ART 412 with a minimum grade of C-, Course open to undergrads in art, counseling, psychology, education, or special education. Introduces students to the historical, theoretical and philosophical foundations of visual arts therapy. Provides students with an overall understanding of how visual arts therapy relates to practice in art education. Specific theories relating to creativity development and visual literacy are explored.

ART 412:
Art Methods/Materials for Special Populations

PR: Course open to undergrads in art, counseling, psychology, education, or special education. Provides students with in-depth understanding of art methods and materials used in artistic development of children, adolescents and adults, while using creative process of art making to enhance the physical, mental and emotional well being of individuals of all ages. Research, assigned readings, online discussions, and hands-on projects and critiques. On-campus art-making seminar is required.

PSYC 101:
Introduction to Psychology

Survey of general psychology.

PSYC 241:
Introduction to Human Development

Survey of human psychological development across the life span with emphasis on change in biological, cognitive, and social-emotional processes. Special attention given to theoretical, conceptual, methodological, and practical issues.

PSYC 281:
Introduction to Abnormal Psychology

Introduction to major categories of behavior disorders; etiology, prevention and treatment.

Cost and Aid

How much does Art Therapy at WVU cost? And how can you save?

Tuition and Fees

Estimated rates for the 2022-23 academic year. Rates are subject to change. Anyone that is not a current West Virginia resident will be charged non-resident rates. That includes international students.

West Virginia Resident
Per Credit $432
Per Semester $5,184
Fall and Spring Semesters $10,368
Non-Resident
Per Credit $1,166
Per Semester $13,992
Fall and Spring Semesters $27,984
International
Per Credit $1,166
Per Semester $14,292
Fall and Spring Semesters $28,584
Scholarship Chart

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Net Price Calculator

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Ways to Save

Here is a way for you to save on the cost of attending WVU in addition to university scholarships.

Transfer Articulation Agreements

To simplify the transfer process, we have formal agreements with certain institutions. These agreements outline the courses you should take to prepare for transferring to WVU.

Review the full list of transfer articulation agreements to see if your institution is listed.

Learn How to Transfer Course Credits

Requirements

What are the requirements to apply for Art Therapy at WVU?

To be admitted to WVU's Art Therapy major, you must meet WVU's first-time freshman admission requirements for the 2022-23 academic year. Interested in transferring? Review the transfer admission requirements.

Related Majors and Minors

What other options does WVU have?

What minors could I consider?

Related Pathways

What majors share similar career interests with this major at WVU?

Next Steps

I like this major. What are the next steps?

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