Art Therapy/Therapist
A program that prepares individuals, in consultation with other rehabilitation team members or in private practice, to use drawing and other art media forms to assess, treat, and rehabilitate individuals with mental, emotional, developmental, or physical disorders. Includes instruction in art, history and theory of art therapy, art therapeutic techniques, psychopathology, patient assessment and diagnosis, cultural diversity issues, legal and ethical practice issues, and professional standards and regulations.
- Schools offering
- 53
- Annual completions
- 195
- Typical degree level
- Bachelor's
- Median earnings (5yr)
- $56k
About this major
A program that prepares individuals, in consultation with other rehabilitation team members or in private practice, to use drawing and other art media forms to assess, treat, and rehabilitate individuals with mental, emotional, developmental, or physical disorders. Includes instruction in art, history and theory of art therapy, art therapeutic techniques, psychopathology, patient assessment and diagnosis, cultural diversity issues, legal and ethical practice issues, and professional standards and regulations.
Where this major leads
Occupations most often associated with this major, from the federal BLS+O*NET crosswalk. Job-growth projections and median wages are national.
| Occupation | Median wage | Job growth | Typical education |
|---|---|---|---|
| Health specialties teachers, postsecondary | $106k | +17.3% | Doctoral or professional degree |
| Therapists, all other | $65k | +11.5% | Bachelor's degree |
Earnings at a glance
Median graduate earnings from the federal College Scorecard, 5 and 10 years out.
Median 5-year earnings
$56k
Associate's vs Bachelor's — early-career earnings
Associate's
$46k
Bachelor's
$58k
Top colleges for Art Therapy/Therapist
Ranked by annual completions at the associate's or bachelor's level — a proxy for program scale.
| College | Location | Assoc. | Bach. | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lesley University | Cambridge, MA | 0 | 23 | 23 |
| Marywood University | Scranton, PA | 0 | 17 | 17 |
| Temple University | Philadelphia, PA | 0 | 15 | 15 |
| Edgewood College | Madison, WI | 0 | 11 | 11 |
| Seton Hill University | Greensburg, PA | 0 | 10 | 10 |
| The University of Tampa | Tampa, FL | 0 | 10 | 10 |
| Mount Mary University | Milwaukee, WI | 0 | 10 | 10 |
| West Liberty University | West Liberty, WV | 0 | 8 | 8 |
| Emmanuel College | Boston, MA | 0 | 7 | 7 |
| Caldwell University | Caldwell, NJ | 0 | 6 | 6 |
Related majors to explore
Respiratory Care Therapy/Therapist
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Rehabilitation Science
843 completions/yr
Therapeutic Recreation/Recreational Therapy
628 completions/yr
Occupational Therapy/Therapist
501 completions/yr
Music Therapy/Therapist
451 completions/yr
Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions, Other
374 completions/yr
Physical Therapy/Therapist
255 completions/yr
Vocational Rehabilitation Counseling/Counselor
155 completions/yr
Considering this direction?
We've taken a hard look at the debt, earnings trajectory, and degree-level tradeoffs for the Art Therapy/Therapist field. Read our verdict before you commit.
Is Art Therapy/Therapist worth it? Read verdict