Pre-Art Therapy

Making art for more than art’s sake.

Creative problem-solving? Art therapy definitely accomplishes that. As an art therapist, you could help people with developmental, physical, emotional, or psychological issues. You must hold a graduate degree to be an art therapist, and this degree prepares you for admission to such a program.

  • Accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design
  • ranked as a national university by u.s. news and world report
  • 12:1 student-to-faculty ratio

Advantages

  • Students can choose between one of two majors: pre-art therapy and pre-art therapy/studio art
  • Combination of theory and practice in the studio to prepare you to succeed
  • Accreditation by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD)
  • An emphasis on psychology
  • Pre-Art Therapy/Studio Art will provide you a chance to develop a personal art style and techniques.
  • Courses taught by a practicing art therapist
  • Opportunity to work with participants in the community throughout your studies
  • Pre-Art Therapy/Studio Art provides the opportunity to take an additional 15 credit hours of Art courses over the traditional Pre-Art Therapy major.

Potential Careers

The purpose of this degree is to prepare you for graduate school, which can lead toward careers in settings like these:

  • Hospitals
  • Hospices
  • Rehabilitation centers
  • Nursing homes
  • Schools
  • Shelters for battered women
  • Substance abuse centers
  • Veterans care

Major Options

  • Pre-Art Therapy/Studio Art
  • Pre-Art Therapy

Curriculum

Along with studio art courses and Pre-Art Therapy courses, you will take several psychology courses that prepare you for a graduate program in mental health counseling/art therapy.

The curriculum includes:

  • Introduction to Pre-Art Therapy and Methods and Media in Pre-Art Therapy
  • Studio art courses including ceramics, digital photography, drawing, painting, printmaking, and sculpture
  • 18 hours of required psychology courses
  • 12 hours of other psychology electives
  • Psychology courses such as Intro to Psychology, Lifespan Development, Abnormal Psychology, Foundations of Psychotherapy and others
  • Relevant art courses such as Art History, Artistic Practice, Junior Seminar and Gallery Studies

Curriculum Guides

These curriculum guides outline the different classes you will need to take as a Pre-Art Therapy major. The general education guide provides a list of all the classes you need in order to fulfill UIndy’s general education requirements. The Pre-Art Therapy guide lists the classes you'll need to take to fulfill your major’s requirements. Be sure to take a look at both guides in order to get a complete picture of what your classes will look like at UIndy.
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