Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
Art therapy specialist education requirements
Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
There are several educational requirements to become an art therapy specialist. Art therapy specialists usually study rehabilitation science, fine arts, or psychology. 59% of art therapy specialists hold a bachelor's degree, and 33% hold an master's degree. We analyzed 2,733 real art therapy specialist resumes to see exactly what art therapy specialist education sections show.
The most common colleges for art therapy specialists are the New York University and the New York University.
There are also many online art therapy specialist courses to help get the education required to be an art therapy specialist.
There are certain art therapy specialist certifications that you should consider. These art therapy specialist certifications include Board Certified Art Therapist (ATR-BC) and Art Therapy Certified Supervisor (ATCS).
What education do you need to become an art therapy specialist?
What degree do you need to be an art therapy specialist?
- Bachelor's, 59%
- Master's, 33%
- Associate, 5%
- High School Diploma, 2%
- Other Degrees, 1%
What should I major in to become an art therapy specialist?
- Fine Arts, 23%
- Psychology, 11%
- Other Majors, 30%
Most common colleges for art therapy specialists
| Art therapy specialist common college | Percentages |
|---|---|
| New York University | 8.33% |
| Hofstra University | 7.50% |
| School of Visual Arts | 7.22% |
| Pratt Institute | 7.22% |
| George Washington University, The | 7.22% |
Best majors for art therapy specialists
| Rank | Major | Percentages |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rehabilitation Science | 27.7% |
| 2 | Fine Arts | 23.1% |
| 3 | Psychology | 11.4% |
| 4 | General Education, Specific Areas | 7.7% |
| 5 | Graphic Design | 5.8% |
Best colleges for art therapy specialists
The best colleges for art therapy specialists are Northwestern University, Duke University, and Tufts University.
An art therapy specialist with advanced education typically earns a higher salary and has access to better jobs. That's why Zippia looked into the best colleges for art therapy specialists. We based this list on several metrics: admissions rate, retention rate, mean earnings of graduates, the ratio of working vs. non-working students ten years after admission, the average cost of attendance, and median debt for graduates who become art therapy specialists.
1. Duke University
Durham, NC • Private
In-state tuition
$55,695
Enrollment
6,596
2. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, NC • Private
In-state tuition
$8,987
Enrollment
18,946
3. Northwestern University
Evanston, IL • Private
In-state tuition
$54,568
Enrollment
8,451
4. Columbia University in the City of New York
New York, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$59,430
Enrollment
8,216
5. Tufts University
Medford, MA • Private
In-state tuition
$56,382
Enrollment
5,597
6. Washington University in St Louis
Saint Louis, MO • Private
In-state tuition
$53,399
Enrollment
7,356
7. University of Florida
Gainesville, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$6,381
Enrollment
34,564
8. University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$56,225
Enrollment
19,548
9. Emory University
Atlanta, GA • Private
In-state tuition
$51,306
Enrollment
6,975
10. California State University - Long Beach
Long Beach, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,798
Enrollment
31,503
20 best online courses for art therapy specialists
Advertising disclosure
1. Modern Art & Ideas
Welcome to Modern Art & Ideas! This course is designed for anyone interested in learning more about modern and contemporary art. Over the next five weeks, you will look at art through a variety of themes: Places & Spaces, Art & Identity, Transforming Everyday Objects, and Art & Society. Each week kicks off with a video that connects works of art from The Museum of Modern Art’s collection to the theme. You will hear audio interviews with artists, designers, and curators and learn more about...
2. Agent-based Generative Art | NetLogo
"Generative art refers to any art practice where the artist creates a process, such as a computer program, which is then set into motion with some degree of autonomy contributing to or resulting in a completed work of art." - Wikipedia In this guided project you will develop an agent-based computer program capable of generating visual art pieces. By doing so you will be introduced to the basics of ABM and NetLogo. Furthermore, at the end of this journey you will be able to share such pieces...
3. Art Therapy: Art Therapy Exercises For Healing In Life
35 Art Therapy exercises for life happiness & stress management. Art therapy with paintings, art & affirmations...
4. Internationally Accredited Certificate in Art Therapy
Therapeutic Art Therapy Course / Masterclass for Healing and Life Coaching...
5. Pixel Art for Video Games
This course is aimed to give you the tools and knowledge you need to start creating simple art for video games made in the Unity game engine. Through the aesthetic of pixel art we will explore artistic principals like shape language, color theory, and composition as well as show you a step by step workflow for creating assets that you can use to make your own games. The course is broken into 4 main modules, props, environments, characters, and animation. Each of these courses will have a series...
6. Low Poly Art For Video Games
This course is aimed to give you the tools and knowledge you need to start creating simple 3D art for video games made in the Unity game engine. Through the aesthetic of pixel art we will explore artistic principals like shape language, color theory, and composition as well as show you a step by step workflow for creating assets that you can use to make your own games. The course is broken into 4 main modules, props, environments, characters, and animation. Each of these courses will have a...
7. Art Therapy: Personal Development and Self Healing with Art
Arts Therapy heals ! Improve your Mental Health with 30 Art Therapy Exercises ...
8. Oxford Diploma: Art Therapy:create books; run (4) workshops!
All you need to a) create a book and b) run FOUR Art Therapy workshops (including the Art Therapy exercises)!...
9. Leading Innovation in Arts and Culture
Developed by David Owens at Vanderbilt University and customized for the cultural sector with National Arts Strategies, this course is designed to help arts and culture leaders create an environment where new ideas are constantly created, shared, evaluated and the best ones are successfully put to work. One of the toughest challenges for any leader is getting traction for new ideas. Winning support can be a struggle. As a result, powerful new ideas often get stuck. This is especially true in...
10. (Oxford) Diploma in Art Therapy (Extended Master Course)
Art Therapy : detailed (116 hours) course to help: interpret, express and resolve emotions - in detail...
11. 30 Art Therapy Exercises to Unwind and Explore Your Mind
Healing through the visual arts...
12. ArtWorks! Art Therapy Guide For Personal Development
Harness Your Inner Creativity, Increase Self Improvement, Reduce Anxiety and Enhance Relationships...
13. Positive Psychology Art Coaching
Art activities for children to help build confidence & selfesteem...
14. Occupational Therapy Introduction - ACCREDITED CERTIFICATE
How to become occupational therapist, basic Psychology, Physiology & Anatomy, working with disabilities, children adults...
15. Fluid Art Mastery: Abstract Flow Art Secrets Revealed
9 Steps To Being A Successful Paint Pouring Artist...
16. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) Associate Life Coach
CBT: Cognitive Behavioural Therapy Life Coaching Associate Coach Certificate in Cognitive Behavioural Coaching...
17. Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT): The Complete Course
Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT)...
18. Introduction to CBT: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
Online Counselling & Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) Training Course...
19. Pixel Art Fundamentals: Introduction to 2D Game Pixel Art
Make 2D Art for Video Games Using Libresprite / Aseprite. Create icons, images, HUD, simple animations and game scenes...
20. Learn Pixel Art for Games
Understand creating Pixel Art for use in Games...
Top 10 most affordable universities for art therapy specialists
The most affordable schools for art therapy specialists are Hunter College of the City University of New York, university of florida, and california state university - long beach.
If the best universities for art therapy specialists are out of your price range, check out these affordable schools. After factoring in in-state tuition and fees, the average cost of attendance, admissions rate, average net price, and mean earnings after six years, we found that these are the most affordable schools for art therapy specialists.
1. Hunter College of the City University of New York
New York, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,182
Cost of attendance
13,998
2. University of Florida
Gainesville, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$6,381
Cost of attendance
21,034
3. California State University - Long Beach
Long Beach, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,798
Cost of attendance
18,306
4. Brigham Young University
Provo, UT • Private
In-state tuition
$5,620
Cost of attendance
18,136
5. Florida International University
Miami, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$6,556
Cost of attendance
19,434
6. Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$5,656
Cost of attendance
21,623
7. California State University - Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,749
Cost of attendance
14,823
8. Lehman College of the City University of New York
Bronx, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,210
Cost of attendance
14,359
9. University of South Florida
Tampa, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$6,410
Cost of attendance
20,456
10. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, NC • Private
In-state tuition
$8,987
Cost of attendance
25,527
Top 10 hardest universities to get into for art therapy specialists
The hardest universities for art therapy specialists to get into are Northwestern University, Duke University, and Tufts University.
Some great schools for art therapy specialists are hard to get into, but they also set your career up for greater success. The list below shows the most challenging universities to get into for art therapy specialists based on an institution's admissions rates, average SAT scores accepted, median ACT scores accepted, and mean earnings of students six years after admission.
1. Northwestern University
Evanston, IL • Private
Admissions rate
8%
SAT average
1,508
2. Duke University
Durham, NC • Private
Admissions rate
9%
SAT average
1,516
3. Tufts University
Medford, MA • Private
Admissions rate
15%
SAT average
1,461
4. Washington University in St Louis
Saint Louis, MO • Private
Admissions rate
15%
SAT average
1,506
5. Northeastern University
Boston, MA • Private
Admissions rate
19%
SAT average
1,466
6. Columbia University in the City of New York
New York, NY • Private
Admissions rate
6%
SAT average
1,512
7. Boston University
Boston, MA • Private
Admissions rate
22%
SAT average
1,420
8. New York University
New York, NY • Private
Admissions rate
20%
SAT average
1,419
9. Emory University
Atlanta, GA • Private
Admissions rate
19%
SAT average
1,449
10. Southern Methodist University
Dallas, TX • Private
Admissions rate
51%
SAT average
1,395
Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for art therapy specialists
The easiest schools for art therapy specialists to get into are Notre Dame de Namur University, mount saint mary's university, and barry university.
Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as an art therapy specialist without much hassle, check out the list of schools where you will be accepted in no time. We compiled admissions rates, average SAT scores, average ACT scores, and average salary of students six years after graduation to uncover which were the easiest schools to get into for art therapy specialists.
1. Notre Dame de Namur University
Belmont, CA • Private
Admissions rate
82%
SAT average
983
2. Mount Saint Mary's University
Los Angeles, CA • Private
Admissions rate
84%
SAT average
1,031
3. Barry University
Miami, FL • Private
Admissions rate
91%
SAT average
1,006
4. AdventHealth University
Orlando, FL • Private
Admissions rate
87%
SAT average
1,016
5. Ottawa University
Ottawa, KS • Private
Admissions rate
78%
SAT average
1,024
6. University of the Incarnate Word
San Antonio, TX • Private
Admissions rate
88%
SAT average
1,044
7. Kean University
Union, NJ • Private
Admissions rate
86%
SAT average
991
8. Albertus Magnus College
New Haven, CT • Private
Admissions rate
58%
SAT average
931
9. Clarke University
Dubuque, IA • Private
Admissions rate
82%
SAT average
1,058
10. D'Youville College
Buffalo, NY • Private
Admissions rate
100%
SAT average
1,072
Average art therapy specialist salary by education level
| Art therapy specialist education level | Art therapy specialist salary |
|---|---|
| High School Diploma or Less | $39,481 |
| Bachelor's Degree | $49,562 |
| Some College/ Associate Degree | $44,073 |
Art therapy specialist education FAQs
Have more questions? See all answers to common healthcare practitioner and technical questions.
Search for art therapy specialist jobs
Updated January 8, 2025
Updated January 8, 2025