In the MA Art Therapy program at Tyler, students can explore their identity as artists and therapists through self-reflective art making, experiences in the field, and arts-based research.
An MA in Art Therapy degree provides students with a multidisciplinary curriculum that is academically sound, clinically grounded, and ethically focused. This program integrates the disciplines of art therapy and counseling psychology.
We’re hosting a live, virtual session on December 10 with our Art Therapy faculty to share more information about the program.
Tyler’s MA in Art Therapy is structured on four main principles that ensures graduates have the requisite knowledge, skills, and competencies to provide high-quality therapeutic services and to effectively practice as professional art therapists after graduation.
Apply theory to practice, employ critical thinking, and navigate complex relationships and social contexts.
Effectively utilize the creative process and studio art making within the therapeutic alliance.
Respond to issues of social justice and to the needs of people in diverse settings through research while following professional ethical standards and scope of practice.
Contribute to community well-being and social equity through accessible and affordable arts-based mental health services.
The Tyler School of Art and Architecture features its own admissions team, who can provide you with the information you need to make the best decision for your educational and career goals.
The Master of Arts (MA) in Art Therapy is a new graduate degree program for the Tyler School of Art and Architecture. The overarching focus is to prepare competent entry-level art therapists in the cognitive, psychomotor, and affective learning domains and to develop compassionate, skilled, and culturally competent art therapists.
The field of art therapy has witnessed a significant rise in popularity, recognition and application across various settings, including hospitals, schools, community centers, and rehabilitation facilities.
While art therapy practice shares commonality with other mental health professions, the combination of psychological knowledge and therapeutic skills with an understanding of art media, the neurobiology of artmaking, and the creative process distinguishes art therapy from these professions.
As a master's student in Tyler's Art Therapy program, you will study in a dynamic creative environment surrounded by art studios. You'll also have access to the university's professional gallery, Temple Contemporary.
Here are some common questions about the Masters of Art in Art Therapy program at Tyler.
18 semester credits hours in studio art
12 semester credit hours in psychology - Developmental Psychology and Theories of Personality
Recommendation letters should be written by people who know you in academic and/or professional capacities, including in art therapy-related volunteer experiences. Personal references are discouraged.
For the most current information consult:
No, each new cohort begins in the fall.
The curriculum is designed as 6 full semesters plus 2 summer terms. Full time graduate school typically is 9 semester credit hours.
We are housed at an internationally acclaimed art school within Temple University, which is a large, urban, public university, with rich art and culture opportunities in the vibrant and historic city of Philadelphia.
Being in an art and design school at a R1 institution provides other unique advantages that include:
Since most students work, many classes will be scheduled in the late afternoon or in the evenings. Some courses will be offered in the summer; others offered as weekend intensives.
Yes.
All courses align with the overarching program's goal to prepare competent entry-level Art Therapists in multiple domains. Learning outcomes are supported by the core curriculum areas, cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavior) competencies that art therapy students must develop through their coursework.
Titles of the art therapy courses include:
Studio courses are available for students enrolled in the program; however, there are no studio courses in the curriculum. Electives in the program are related to the students’ area of specialization.
At this time, there is no dedicated graduate assistantship for the art therapy program. There are assistantships and externships across campus. Eligible students will be considered for work study opportunities in the program and/or department.
Other students are welcome to enroll in the Foundations in Expressive Therapies depending on their program requirements.
The curriculum design followed the guidelines and standards set forth by the Accreditation Council for Art Therapy Education (ACATE) and the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP). The standards and guidelines for accreditation are the minimum standards for quality in accrediting programs that prepare people to enter the profession of art therapy.
The program will go through the accreditation process after the first cohort graduates.
"Taking Intro to Art Therapy course as a graduate student was a pivotal experience. It helped me recognize that my path belonged in art education, while deepening my admiration for those who use their creative gifts to support others through their healing journeys. I left with a profound respect for the compassion, skill, and care that art therapists bring to their work, especially in supporting incarcerated individuals, people navigating substance use or mental health challenges, and young people who have experienced trauma. The course showed me just how transformative this work can be for so many different communities."
"Joining Tyler's Art Therapy program has been one of the most transformative decisions I have made in my life. From the beginning, I was embraced by a community of care, intention, and creativity that encouraged me to both grow as an artist and as a person. Through inspiring coursework and hands-on fieldwork, I found my voice, my confidence, and a deeper sense of purpose in the healing power of the arts. I see just how beautifully this program laid the foundation for the budding Eco-Art Therapist I have grown into today."
"The value of the experiences and education I received from Tyler's undergraduate art therapy program are immeasurable. Going into graduate school, I feel as if I have a running start— I have concrete foundational knowledge of the field, the creative process, and cultural competence which was cultivated through meaningful curriculum and fieldwork, which none of my current peers have ever had the opportunity to do."
