Combine core psychology, studio, and art therapy coursework to learn the therapeutic uses of art.
Learn how God has designed to be a tool for treating mental illness. This program provides students who desire to use art to help others, with content and skills needed! Within studio courses, art is created in 2D and 3D mediums to develop knowledge, skills, and attitudes needed in art therapeutic practice. Psychology courses build a foundation of practical and theoretical knowledge to understand mental health. Art Therapy coursework emphasizes connections between core studio and psychology courses, while introducing the history, approaches, processes, and ethical considerations of art therapy.
Every Pre-Art Therapy student completes at least one practicum within a variety of settings in the art therapy field. The practicum experience gives students the opportunity to observe professional art therapists practically implementing concepts they learned in their coursework.
Build skills in:
Career opportunities:
Students interested in course descriptions and academic policies can check out our Undergraduate Catalog.
A Taylor liberal arts education will prepare you to live and work in a fast-changing world. It also goes a step further: laying a strong spiritual foundation that cultivates wisdom. You’ll become a well-versed individual, equipped with critical thinking skills, a lifelong love of learning, and an appreciation for God’s creation.
Prepared for Graduate School
Pre-Art Therapy is a pre-professional degree that paves the way toward continued study for a Master’s Degree in Art Therapy degree program. You’ll learn from current literature, case studies, guest speakers in the field, building a framework for graduate studies. Courses exploring research skills, and statistical analysis are included within the coursework to prepare students for a graduate level program. The curriculum provides pre-requisite course work for most graduate level studies, based upon the standards of the American Art Therapy Association.
Art Therapy in Action
Students training in Pre-Art Therapy prepare to provide therapeutic support for a diverse groups of individuals, offering release for those experiencing stress, addictions, trauma, and grief/loss. Populations who benefit from art therapy include children, adolescents, couples, the elderly, veterans, hospital patients, and individuals who are neurodivergent. Art therapy is provided in individual, group, and open studio settings. During this program, you'll have many opportunities to see career art therapists in action.
Leah Groeling
Class of 2020
Art therapy is a new topic of interest in our world. And we need it. We need to give voice when there are no words to say. I have no regrets choosing this major.
Contact
Jonathan Bouw
Professor of Art
Beth Kaylor
Art Program Assistant