Art Therapy is a human service profession that uses art media, the creative art process, and patient/client responses as reflections of an individual's development, abilities, personality, interests, concerns, and conflicts. Art therapists in individual, couples, family, and group therapy formats serve populations of all ages, races, and ethnic backgrounds.
The Art Therapy curriculum meets recommendations of the American Art Therapy Association. Opportunities for art therapists may include employment in nursing homes, day care centers, residential facilities for children, psychiatric hospitals, battered women shelters, hospice, mental health centers, and schools.
Art Therapy majors begin with Art Foundation courses including Drawing, Color Theory, Art History, and Two-dimensional and Three-dimensional Design, which help students establish essential visual, conceptual and technical skills. The upper-division art courses provide a broad studio experience, as you gain skill in a range of media.
Courses in Psychology provide the background in human development and psychological theories which will be used as an effective treatment for the developmentally, medically, socially, or psychologically impaired.
Art Therapy courses investigate history, theory, and methods in both a classroom and studio situation. You'll explore career possibilities, meet practicing art therapists, and visit sites where art therapy is used.
In order to practice as a Registered Art Therapist and counsel patients on a one-on-one basis, you should consider continuing your art therapy education at the graduate level. Avila's B.A. in Art Therapy prepares you for entry into an accredited graduate Art Therapy program. If you would like to continue your education in Art Therapy at Avila, we offer a Masters of Science in Counseling and Art Therapy. For more information please visit Masters of Science in Counseling and Art Therapy.
Advisors to the Art Therapy program and all art therapy faculty are Registered and Board Certified Art Therapists with a master's degree in Art Therapy, or a closely related discipline.
ABOUT AVILA’S ART+DESIGN DEPARTMENT
All majors begin with Foundation courses including Drawing, Color Theory, Art History, and Two-Dimensional and Three-Dimensional Design, which help students establish essential visual, conceptual and technical skills.
Art studios, which may be required by your specific major or can be taken as electives, include ceramics, oil painting, watercolor, printmaking, fiber, photography, and various computer software courses. In addition, you can arrange independent study with individual faculty to continue study in a specific media.
A low faculty-to-student ratio (enrollment in most studio courses is limited to 12 students) means that students receive individualized instruction and have a one-on-one relationship with the faculty.
