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Certified art therapist education requirements
Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
There are several educational requirements to become a certified art therapist. Certified art therapists usually study occupational therapy, psychology, or physical therapy. 58% of certified art therapists hold a bachelor's degree, and 23% hold an master's degree. We analyzed 263 real certified art therapist resumes to see exactly what certified art therapist education sections show.
The most common colleges for certified art therapists are the University of Kansas and the University of Kansas.
There are also many online certified art therapist courses to help get the education required to be a certified art therapist.
There are certain certified art therapist certifications that you should consider. These certified art therapist certifications include Master Therapist (MTAPA) and Board Certified Art Therapist (ATR-BC).
What education do you need to become a certified art therapist?
What degree do you need to be a certified art therapist?
- Bachelor's, 58%
- Master's, 23%
- Associate, 12%
- Doctorate, 3%
- Other Degrees, 4%
What should I major in to become a certified art therapist?
- Occupational Therapy, 32%
- Psychology, 15%
- Physical Therapy, 10%
- Kinesiology, 6%
- Other Majors, 37%
Most common colleges for certified art therapists
| Certified art therapist common college | Percentages |
|---|---|
| University of Kansas | 9.43% |
| Mount Mary University | 7.55% |
| Springfield College | 7.55% |
| University of Pittsburgh | 5.66% |
| Boston University | 5.66% |
Best majors for certified art therapists
| Rank | Major | Percentages |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Occupational Therapy | 32.3% |
| 2 | Psychology | 14.8% |
| 3 | Physical Therapy | 9.7% |
| 4 | Kinesiology | 5.8% |
| 5 | Social Work | 5.2% |
Best colleges for certified art therapists
The best colleges for certified art therapists are Northwestern University, Boston University, and Vanderbilt University.
A certified art therapist with advanced education typically earns a higher salary and has access to better jobs. That's why Zippia looked into the best colleges for certified art therapists. 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 certified art therapists.
1. Boston University
Boston, MA • Private
In-state tuition
$53,948
Enrollment
17,238
2. Rosemont College
Rosemont, PA • Private
In-state tuition
$19,900
Enrollment
544
3. Harvard University
Cambridge, MA • Private
In-state tuition
$50,420
Enrollment
7,582
4. Georgia Institute of Technology
Atlanta, GA • Private
In-state tuition
$12,424
Enrollment
15,201
5. University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA • Private
In-state tuition
$55,584
Enrollment
10,764
6. University of Virginia
Charlottesville, VA • Private
In-state tuition
$17,653
Enrollment
16,405
7. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, NC • Private
In-state tuition
$8,987
Enrollment
18,946
8. University of Notre Dame
Notre Dame, IN • Private
In-state tuition
$53,391
Enrollment
8,568
9. Northwestern University
Evanston, IL • Private
In-state tuition
$54,568
Enrollment
8,451
10. Lehigh University
Bethlehem, PA • Private
In-state tuition
$52,930
Enrollment
5,030
20 best online courses for certified art therapists
Advertising disclosure
1. Occupational Therapy Introduction - ACCREDITED CERTIFICATE
How to become occupational therapist, basic Psychology, Physiology & Anatomy, working with disabilities, children adults...
2. Art Therapy: Art Therapy Exercises For Healing In Life
35 Art Therapy exercises for life happiness & stress management. Art therapy with paintings, art & affirmations...
3. Art Therapy: Personal Development and Self Healing with Art
Arts Therapy heals ! Improve your Mental Health with 30 Art Therapy Exercises ...
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Therapeutic Art Therapy Course / Masterclass for Healing and Life Coaching...
5. (Oxford) Diploma in Art Therapy (Extended Master Course)
Art Therapy : detailed (116 hours) course to help: interpret, express and resolve emotions - in detail...
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All you need to a) create a book and b) run FOUR Art Therapy workshops (including the Art Therapy exercises)!...
7. Deep Tissue Massage: Neuromuscular Therapy Certificate
Neuromuscular Therapy is a highly effective form of Deep Tissue Massage for pain relief (2 CEUs)...
8. CBT: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy For Therapists & Coaches
Comprehensive CBT Therapy Training Cognitive Behavior Therapy Practitioner Level Treat Anxiety, Depression & More...
9. Colombian Wood Therapy Course - Maderoterapia
Learn how to use Colombian Wood Therapy to help your clients reduce cellulite and melt fat...
10. Deep Tissue Massage: Trigger Point Therapy Certificate
Deep Tissue Trigger Point Massage Therapy is a proven approach for the relief of soft-tissue pain and dysfunction (2CEU)...
11. Introduction to Solution Focused Therapy
Learn Solution Focused Therapy To Empower Clients & Improve Outcomes Ideal For Social Workers, Coaches & Therapists...
12. Professional Cupping Therapy Massage Certificate Course 4 CE
Learn Cupping Therapy Massage Today to Treat Your Own Pains, Your Friends, Family Or Massage Clients Effortlessly!...
13. Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT): The Complete Course
Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT)...
14. Introduction to CBT: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
Online Counselling & Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) Training Course...
15. Tibetan Singing Bowls Sound Therapy & Sound Healing Training
Learn How To Become A Sound Healing Therapist Using Tibetan Bowls. Learn How To Work One-On-One With Clients...
16. Metacognitive Therapy
Learn MCT, a cognitive psychotherapy based on CBT, that helps clients tackle the root of their anxiety and depression...
17. Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT) Certificate
Become a Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT) practitioner and help people improve their mental health...
18. ArtWorks! Art Therapy Guide For Personal Development
Harness Your Inner Creativity, Increase Self Improvement, Reduce Anxiety and Enhance Relationships...
19. Fully Accredited Crystal Therapy Healing Diploma Course
An In Depth Diploma Course Understanding & Learning About Crystals & Their Powerful Healing Abilities...
20. Colour Therapy Practitioner Certification
Learn to use the power of colour to promote health and wellbeing...
Top 10 most affordable universities for certified art therapists
The most affordable schools for certified art therapists are SUNY Farmingdale, baruch college of the city university of new york, and brigham young university.
If the best universities for certified art therapists 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 certified art therapists.
1. SUNY Farmingdale
Farmingdale, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$8,306
Cost of attendance
16,091
2. Baruch College of the City University of New York
New York, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,262
Cost of attendance
14,046
3. Brigham Young University
Provo, UT • Private
In-state tuition
$5,620
Cost of attendance
18,136
4. Brooklyn College of the City University of New York
Brooklyn, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,240
Cost of attendance
13,991
5. Hunter College of the City University of New York
New York, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,182
Cost of attendance
13,998
6. Clayton State University
Morrow, GA • Private
In-state tuition
$5,419
Cost of attendance
17,697
7. Minot State University
Minot, ND • Private
In-state tuition
$7,064
Cost of attendance
15,576
8. Florida International University
Miami, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$6,556
Cost of attendance
19,434
9. Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$5,656
Cost of attendance
21,623
10. Queens College of the City University of New York
Queens, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,338
Cost of attendance
14,281
Top 10 hardest universities to get into for certified art therapists
The hardest universities for certified art therapists to get into are Northwestern University, Boston University, and Vanderbilt University.
Some great schools for certified art therapists 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 certified art therapists 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. Boston University
Boston, MA • Private
Admissions rate
22%
SAT average
1,420
3. Vanderbilt University
Nashville, TN • Private
Admissions rate
10%
SAT average
1,514
4. University of Rochester
Rochester, NY • Private
Admissions rate
29%
SAT average
1,422
5. University of Tulsa
Tulsa, OK • Private
Admissions rate
41%
SAT average
1,321
6. Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, MD • Private
Admissions rate
11%
SAT average
1,513
7. Tufts University
Medford, MA • Private
Admissions rate
15%
SAT average
1,461
8. Loyola Marymount University
Los Angeles, CA • Private
Admissions rate
47%
SAT average
1,321
9. Southern Methodist University
Dallas, TX • Private
Admissions rate
51%
SAT average
1,395
10. Boston College
Chestnut Hill, MA • Private
Admissions rate
28%
SAT average
1,429
Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for certified art therapists
The easiest schools for certified art therapists to get into are Notre Dame de Namur University, life university, and university of north texas at dallas.
Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a certified art therapist 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 certified art therapists.
1. Notre Dame de Namur University
Belmont, CA • Private
Admissions rate
82%
SAT average
983
2. Life University
Marietta, GA • Private
Admissions rate
94%
SAT average
979
3. University of North Texas at Dallas
Dallas, TX • Private
Admissions rate
83%
SAT average
992
4. Mount Saint Mary's University
Los Angeles, CA • Private
Admissions rate
84%
SAT average
1,031
5. Felician University
Lodi, NJ • Private
Admissions rate
81%
SAT average
999
6. Wayland Baptist University
Plainview, TX • Private
Admissions rate
98%
SAT average
1,003
7. Barry University
Miami, FL • Private
Admissions rate
91%
SAT average
1,006
8. Saint Martin's University
Lacey, WA • Private
Admissions rate
96%
SAT average
1,111
9. Ottawa University
Ottawa, KS • Private
Admissions rate
78%
SAT average
1,024
10. Rosemont College
Rosemont, PA • Private
Admissions rate
89%
SAT average
1,026
Average certified art therapist salary by education level
| Certified art therapist education level | Certified art therapist salary |
|---|---|
| High School Diploma or Less | $60,922 |
| Bachelor's Degree | $80,113 |
| Some College/ Associate Degree | $69,553 |
Certified art therapist education FAQs
Have more questions? See all answers to common healthcare practitioner and technical questions.
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Updated January 8, 2025
Updated January 8, 2025