Art Therapy

Make a Difference Through Creative Expression. Mount Mary University’s Art Therapy undergraduate degree is a pre-professional program that prepares you for entry-level, human-service work and graduate study in art therapy or other helping professions. The coursework emphasizes community building, strong communication skills and a solid foundation in art and psychology while preparing you to help others through compassionate, creative action. 

As an Art Therapy major you will learn to listen empathetically, helping others express themselves through visual art creation, performance art, movement and music. You’ll also work with others as part of a vibrant, collaborative community—both on and off campus.  

An Art Therapy degree requires a minimum of 56 credits in art therapy, studio art and psychology courses and the completion of the university’s core curriculum.

View a sample program plan to see what courses you'll take in our Art Therapy program.

Learn More
Learn More

Art Therapy

Make a Difference Through Creative Expression. Mount Mary University’s Art Therapy undergraduate degree is a pre-professional program that prepares you for entry-level, human-service work and graduate study in art therapy or other helping professions. The coursework emphasizes community building, strong communication skills and a solid foundation in art and psychology while preparing you to help others through compassionate, creative action. 

As an Art Therapy major you will learn to listen empathetically, helping others express themselves through visual art creation, performance art, movement and music. You’ll also work with others as part of a vibrant, collaborative community—both on and off campus.  

An Art Therapy degree requires a minimum of 56 credits in art therapy, studio art and psychology courses and the completion of the university’s core curriculum.

View a sample program plan to see what courses you'll take in our Art Therapy program.

An Art Therapy minor is designed for students who want to add art therapy training and development to their degree plan. This minor requires a minimum of 20 credits.

At Mount Mary, you’ll be a student leader, caring friend and creative thinker. In the classroom, you’ll get to know other students and better understand yourself as you explore ideas and feelings through our arts-based curriculum.  

During your senior year, you’ll design a final project that may include art, social action, research and/or poetic reflection and then share your project in a culminating presentation to the community.  

As a student you will gain real-world experience before you graduate. Internships include a variety of settings such as schools, art museums, churches, community art studios, elder care facilities and summer youth art programs. You also can study abroad to participate in service-based art making within the global community. 

To practice as a certified art therapist, you must have a master’s degree in Art Therapy, complete more than 1,000 hours of direct client contact hours after receiving your master’s degree and pass a written exam. The Art Therapy Credentials Board is the recognized body that grants credentials to art therapists. You can become a registered art therapist (ATR) and/or board-certified art therapist (ATR-BC). State regulations for private practice vary by state. 

 

Monique Matic, M.A., ATR-BC, LPC 
Assistant Professor of Art Therapy 
Phone: (414) 930-3669 
Email: maticm@mtmary.edu 
Expertise: Multicultural art therapy and counseling, trauma informed care, clinical supervision, community mental health and psychology and art therapy and counseling education 

As an art therapist, you’ll get to make a difference in the lives of others, sharing your passion for helping and your commitment to social justice through integrity, professionalism and dedication. According to 2024 data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual wage for counseling and therapeutic occupations is $60,000-$80,000

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