Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology – Pre-Art Therapy Concentration
Combine the science of psychology with the creative process of art-making — and prepare for the master's programs that lead to a career as an art therapist.
Program Overview
An immensely useful field of study, Psychology gives students insights into the ways that people feel, think, and their behavior, as well as the tools and methods to study these processes. Through art therapy, mental health professionals can use the creative process with these insights to improve the mental and emotional well-being of their clients.
With a diverse set of courses ranging in disciplines of developmental, social, clinical, cognitive, and biological psychology, the Pre-Art Therapy concentration builds on these foundational courses to learn how the creative art-making process can be used to help people to satisfactorily resolve a wide variety of mental and emotional conflicts and problems.
Designed to provide psychology majors with additional coursework for entrance into master of art therapy programs, this degree program pairs psychology and art therapy principles to give students a strong foundation in the field and how psychotherapy can be used to work with clients of all agents.
The Pre-Art Therapy concentration integrates the pre-requisite coursework required for admission into a master of art therapy degree program, with a traditional psychology major. This allows you to reach your career goals with a unique degree background.
Career Outcomes
How to Apply
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Start your application
Free, takes about 15 minutes.
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Send transcripts
Have your high school guidance counselor send them to admissions@shawnee.edu
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File the FAFSA
School code 009942. Required for Free Tuition.
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Get your decision
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At A Glance
Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology – Pre-Art Therapy Concentration
Degree
B.A.
Format
On-campus, full-time or part-time
Length
Four years (typical)
Class Size
12:1
Location
Main Campus
Why Study Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology – Pre-Art Therapy Concentration at Shawnee University
A clear path to graduate study. The concentration is built around the common prerequisites for master's-level art therapy programs.
Two disciplines, one degree. You'll get the psychology foundation employers and grad programs expect — paired with serious work in studio art.
Faculty who teach and mentor. Small classes let you work closely with both psychology and art faculty.
A purpose-built track. Instead of cobbling together a major and a minor, you'll follow a coordinated program designed for this career.
You'll build a strong psychology foundation — developmental, social, clinical, learning and cognition, and biopsychology — and add a 27-credit core in studio art to meet the common prerequisites for master's-level art therapy programs.
- Psychology major core (developmental, social, clinical, learning and cognition, biopsychology)
- 27 credits of pre-art therapy studio coursework (drawing, painting, sculpture and other media)
- Research methods and statistics in psychology
- Capstone in psychology
Small classes, studio work, and internship opportunities give you the chance to put psychology and art into practice before you graduate.
- Understand how the creative process of art can support mental and emotional well-being.
- Describe how art-making affects interpersonal skills, stress, and self-esteem.
- Work in a range of media — including drawing, painting, and sculpture — at a level appropriate for master's-level study.
On the Shawnee State University campus in Portsmouth, Ohio, with coursework in the Department of Social Sciences and the Department of Fine, Digital, and Performing Arts.
Most graduates use this concentration as the launch pad for graduate study, since art therapy is a master's-level profession.
- Master's study in art therapy (the typical next step)
- Behavioral health and community-mental-health roles supporting licensed clinicians
- Therapeutic recreation and adjunct-services roles in clinical settings
- Education and youth-services roles where creative arts are used
Graduates work in mental health, education, community services, and arts-based therapy programs — typically after completing a master's in art therapy.
Tuition and Financial Aid
Shawnee State’s tuition is among the lowest in Ohio, and the Shawnee Advantage Tuition Guarantee keeps your rate flat for four years. Scholarships including Choose Ohio First and the Pell-Eligible Free Tuition Program may also apply.
Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology – Pre-Art Therapy Concentration Frequently Asked Questions
Art therapists work across many media, including drawing, painting, and sculpture, depending on the client and the setting.
Clients of all ages — people working through emotional, behavioral, or mental health concerns; learning or physical disabilities; life-limiting conditions; brain injury or neurological conditions; and physical illness.
Yes. Practicing art therapists hold a master's degree. This B.A. concentration is designed to give you the prerequisites those programs typically expect.
Program handbook
Program details are available in the Academic Catalog. For specific concentration requirements, contact Dr. Rhoni Maxwell-Rader (rmaxwellrader@shawnee.edu, (740) 351-3094).
Accreditation
Shawnee State University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. For more, see shawnee.edu/about-us/accreditation.
