Pre-Art Therapy at North Park

The pre-art therapy track prepares you for admission to competitive graduate programs in art therapy. This track pairs with a major—typically art or psychology—allowing you to develop a deeper understanding of the mind and the healing power of creative expression.

Pre-professional tracks help you build a strong foundation for graduate school or professional programs. These tracks aren’t standalone majors, but a curated set of courses designed to complement your chosen field of study. Pre-art therapy students receive guidance from art and psychology faculty. Your advisors will help you explore your interests in art therapy, stay on track academically, and prepare for graduate school applications and interviews.

Recommended courses

To prepare for graduate programs and a career in art therapy, we recommend taking the following courses alongside your major and Core Curriculum requirements. Some courses may also fulfill major or Core Curriculum credits. For full course descriptions, visit the academic catalog.

• Art courses
  • Drawing I
  • Two-Dimensional Design
  • Three-Dimensional Design
  • 12 semester hours of studio art electives

• Psychology courses
  • Introduction to Psychology
  • Research Methods in Psychology
  • Abnormal Psychology
  • Personality
  • Human Life Span Development or Educational Psychology (required for those planning to work with children in schools)

Additional recommendations

• Internship: An art therapy internship is highly recommended.
• Portfolio: Most MA in Art Therapy (MAAT) programs require a portfolio with at least 15 pieces. Some prefer a variety of media (three or more), while others value a focused artistic style in one or two areas.