Art (Art Therapy) - BFA | Degree Details | ASU Degree Search

Art (Art Therapy) - BFA | Degree Details | ASU Degree Search
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Art (Art Therapy)
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Art (Art Therapy)
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Art (Art Therapy)
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Art (Art Therapy),
BFA
HIARTATBFA
Program
description
At a glance
Curriculum
Concurrent
program options
Admission requirements
Tuition information
Change of Major requirements
Transfer options
Global opportunities
Career
opportunities
Contact
information
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info
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curriculum (2026 - 2027)
Art, Art Therapy, Creativity, Expression, Expressive, Psychology, Therapy, counseling
Combine studio art and psychology into a practice that leverages art as a tool to enhance mental and emotional health and wellness.
Program
description
The Bachelor of Fine Arts program with a concentration in art therapy is the only one of its kind in the Southwestern U.S. This program brings together mental health and artistic practice. Students are educated in art therapy concepts, methodologies and fundamental principles, as well as in the history and traditions of art production. Courses include art history, art education, art therapy, psychology, studio art and professional development, including internships, pro-practice, seminars and exhibitions.
All registered art therapists are required to gain board certification, which includes a master's degree in art therapy. The courses offered in this program meet the requirements for entry into credentialed American Art Therapy Association art therapy graduate programs, including the required 18 hours of undergraduate courses in psychology and 18 hours in studio art.
At a glance
College/school:
Herberger Institute for Design and the Arts
Location:
Tempe
Second language
requirement:
No
STEM-OPT
extension eligible:
No
First
required math course:
Any math course that meets the MATH designation.
Math
intensity:
General
Curriculum
View
2026 - 2027 curriculum
View curriculum
archives
Concurrent program options
Students
pursuing concurrent degrees (also known as a
“double major”) earn two distinct degrees and
receive two diplomas. Working with their academic
advisors, students can create their own concurrent
degree combination. Some combinations are not
possible due to high levels of overlap in
curriculum.
Admission
requirements
General university admission
requirements:
All students are required to meet general
university admission requirements.
First-year
Transfer
International
Readmission
Tuition information
When it comes to paying for higher education,
everyone’s situation is different. Students can
learn about
ASU tuition and financial aid
options to find out which will work best for them.
Change of Major requirements
A current ASU student has no additional requirements for changing majors.
Students should visit the
Change of Major form
for
information about how to change a major to this
program.
Transfer options
ASU is committed to helping students thrive by
offering tools that allow personalization of the
transfer path to ASU. Students may use
MyPath2ASU®
to outline a list of recommended courses to take
prior to transfer.
ASU has
transfer partnerships
in
Arizona and across the country to create a
simplified transfer experience for students. These
pathway programs include exclusive benefits, tools
and resources, and they help students save time
and money in their college journey.
Global opportunities
Global experience
With more than 300
Global Education program opportunities
available to them, art therapy students are able to tailor their experience to their specific interests and skill sets. Whether in a foreign country, in the U.S. or online, students build communication skills, learn to adapt and persevere, and are exposed to research and internships around the world, increasing their professional network.
Art therapy majors interested in study abroad are advised to consider programs focused on either psychology or art.
Career opportunities
Graduates are well prepared for entry-level positions in community art programs, youth programs and other social service programs, as well as entry-level art therapy positions, including art therapy assistant. Graduates have the guidance and tools to advance their academic careers and pursue professional opportunities, including exhibitions, residencies and grants.
Graduates are also prepared to pursue graduate study in art therapy --- required to become a registered art therapist --- and eventually gain board certification.
Example job titles and salaries listed
below are not necessarily entry level, and
students should take into consideration how
years of experience and geographical location
may affect pay scales. Some jobs also may
require advanced degrees, certifications or
state-specific licensure.
Career
*Growth
*Median salary
Art Director
4.2%
$111,040
Art Professor
1.7%
$80,190
Art Therapist
11.5%
$65,010
Community Specialist
4.6%
$54,940
Counselor (General)
12.6%
$49,830
Craft Artist
2.1%
$38,480
Fine Artist
-1.2%
$60,560
Therapist (General)
11.5%
$65,010
Data obtained from the Occupational Information
Network (O*NET) under sponsorship of the U.S.
Department of Labor/Employment and Training
Administration (USDOL/ETA).
Bright Outlook
Contact information
School of Art
ART 151
soaadmin@asu.edu
480-965-8521
Program term definitions
Accelerated programs allow students the opportunity to expedite
the completion of their degree.
Accelerated master's
These programs allow students to accelerate their studies to earn
a bachelor's plus a master's degree in as few as five years (for
some programs).
Each program has requirements students must meet to be eligible
for consideration. Students typically receive approval to pursue
the accelerated master's during the junior year of their
bachelor's degree program. Interested students can learn about
eligibility requirements and
how to apply
Concurrent degrees allow students to pursue their own personal or
professional interests, earn two distinct degrees and receive two
diplomas. To add a concurrent degree to your existing degree, work
with your academic advisor.
Joint programs, or jointly conferred degrees, are offered by more
than one college and provide opportunities for students to take
advantage of the academic strengths of two academic units. Upon
graduation, students are awarded one degree and one diploma
conferred by two colleges.
ASU adds new programs to Degree Search frequently. Come back often
and look for the "New Programs" option.
ASU Online
offers programs in an entirely online format with multiple
enrollment sessions throughout the year. See
for more information.
Students from western states who select this major may be eligible for a
reduced nonresident tuition rate of 150 percent of Arizona resident tuition
plus all applicable fees. See more information and eligibility requirements on
the Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE) program
Web site
check up to 3 programs to see a side-by-side comparison
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A minor is an approved, coherent focus of academic study in a single
discipline, other than the student's major, involving substantially fewer
hours of credit than a corresponding major. Certain major and minor
combinations may be deemed inappropriate either by the college or department
of the major or minor.
This is only the first required math course. This program may contain
additional math courses; See Curriculum for details.
The level of intensity represents a measure of the number and academic rigor
of math courses required.
The level of intensity represents a measure of the number and academic rigor
of math courses required. Courses included in the General level: MAT 142
The level of intensity represents a measure of the number and academic rigor
of math courses required. Courses included in the Moderate level: MAT 117, MAT
119, MAT 170, MAT 210, SOS 101, CPI 200
The level of intensity represents a measure of the number and academic rigor
of math courses required. Courses included in the Substantial level: MAT 251,
MAT 265. MAT 266, MAT 267, MAT 270, MAT 271, MAT 272, MAT 274, MAT 275
Students pursuing concurrent degrees earn two distinct degrees and receive two
diplomas. ASU offers students two ways to earn concurrent degrees: by choosing
a predetermined combination or creating their own combination. Predetermined
combinations have a single admissions application and one easy to follow major
map. To add a concurrent degree to your existing degree, work with your
academic advisor. Either way, concurrent degrees allow students to pursue
their own personal or professional interests.
Concurrent degree programs are specially designed academic programs which
provide high-achieving undergraduate students the opportunity to complete two
distinct but complementary bachelor degrees at the same time. Students must
meet minimum admissions standards for both programs and be accepted
individually by both colleges offering the concurrent program.
Concurrent degree programs are specially designed academic programs which
provide high-achieving graduate students the opportunity to complete two
distinct but complementary graduate degrees at the same time. Students must
meet minimum admissions standards for both programs and be accepted
individually by both colleges offering the concurrent program.
Accelerated bachelor's plus master's degree programs are designed for
high-achieving undergraduate students who want the opportunity to share
undergraduate coursework with graduate coursework to accelerate completion of
their master's degree. These programs feature the same high-quality curriculum
taught by ASU's world-renowned faculty.
Accelerated bachelor's plus master's degree programs are designed for
high-achieving undergraduate students who want the opportunity to share
undergraduate coursework with graduate coursework to accelerate completion of
their master's degree. These programs feature the same high-quality curriculum
taught by ASU's world-renowned faculty.
A rolling deadline means that applications will continue to be reviewed on a
regular basis until the semester begins. International students should be
mindful of visa deadlines to ensure there is time to produce necessary visa
documents. Applicants are encouraged to complete and submit application
materials as soon as possible for consideration.
A final deadline means that all applications and application materials must be
received by Graduate Admissions by the deadline date. Applications that are
incomplete may not be considered after the final deadline. Applications that
are submitted past the final deadline may not be considered.
A priority deadline means that applications submitted and completed before the
priority deadline will receive priority consideration. Applications submitted
after the priority deadlines will be reviewed in the order in which they were
completed and on a space available basis. An application is complete after all
materials are received by Graduate Admissions.
The 24-Month STEM OPT Extension is an additional benefit from United States
Citizenship and Immigration Services that allows international students in F-1
status who receive a bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree in an approved
STEM field to apply for a 24-month extension of their standard 12-month
Post-OPT period, twice in a lifetime. This allows international students the
opportunity to gain additional off-campus work experience in their field of
study after completion of course studies and Post-OPT. The OPT extension does
not apply to students completing a degree through ASU Online.