Houghton studio art major using watercolor palette.

Pre-Art Therapy

Preparing you for graduate work in art therapy in a Christ-centered environment.

Are you interested in improving the well-being of others through art-making and creative processes? Combine your interests in art and psychology through Houghtonโ€™s pre-art therapy program.

Youโ€™ll prepare for your graduate work in art therapy by choosing one of the following options:

Each path will enable you to fulfill the undergraduate requirements for graduate school admission and the guidelines of the American Art Therapy Association.

Program Snapshot

Undergraduate Pre-Professional Pathway

Recommended Majors: Studio Art, Psychology

Pre-Art Therapy Advisor: Paul Young

Explore Degree Options

What will I learn?

Water color painting with brushes on table.

Through Houghtonโ€™s Pre-Art Therapy program you will combine art and psychology as you:

  • Expand your knowledge of developmental psychology, abnormal psychology and counseling
  • Explore a variety of art mediums, like ceramics, design, drawing and painting
  • Develop confidence in your art-making and knowledge of materials and processes

Degree Options


Art Major Option

The American Art Therapy Association requires a minimum of 12 semester hours in psychology, including Developmental Psychology and Abnormal Psychology. Some graduate programs recommend additional undergraduate psychology coursework. Art majors should take the following courses for at least a minor in psychology.

Psychology Courses to be Taken with Art Major Credits
PSY 213 Developmental Psychology 3
PSY 305 Abnormal Psychology 3
At least two more courses from the following
PSY 217 Adolescence and Emerging Adulthood 3
PSY 310 Experimental Methods (with a prerequisite of BADM/PSY 309 Statistics) 4
PSY 314 Child Psychopathology 3
PSY 402 Counseling and Psychotherapy 3
Psychology Total min. 12

Psychology Major Option

The American Art Therapy Association requires a minimum of 18 semester credits in studio art so that you can โ€œdemonstrate proficiency and disciplined commitment in art makingโ€ฆusing a variety of art materials and processes.โ€ Psychology majors should take the Clinical/Counseling track, including a practicum in an art-therapy setting.

Art Courses to be Taken with Psychology Major Credits
ART 271 Ceramics I 4
ART 241 Two-Dimensional Design 2
ART 242 Three-Dimensional Design 2
ART 211 Drawing I 2
ART 245 Graphic Design I 4
ART 221 Painting I 4
Total min. 18

Double Major Option

In addition to the options outlined above, you may complete a double major in art and psychology.

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96%

of Houghton students are employed or in graduate school within 6 months of graduation.

Class of 2023

View Alumni Success and Career Outcomes

Related Majors

Houghton student adding gel to psychology cap during eeg scan lab exercise in a Psychology class.

Psychology

Undergraduate - BA
Houghton studio art major student arranging pottery on table in ceramics class.

Studio Art

Undergraduate - BA, BS, BFA
Houghton student playing an acoustic guitar.

Pre-Music Therapy

Undergraduate

Ready for what's next?

Discover if Pre-Art Therapy at Houghton University is right for you.


Questions?