Art Therapy

Merging art + science

Positioned within Indiana's premier urban research institution, Herron's two-year, full-time program unites the concepts of science, art, and the creative process for application in the therapeutic context.

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Serving communities

In Indianapolis, mental health professionals and art therapists are in high demand. Herron students have ample opportunities for successful internships, many of which lead to post-graduate placements, thanks to more than 50 community partnerships.

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Year 1, Fall Semester

  • Counseling Theory and Practice for Art Therapists
  • History, Theory, and Practice of Art Therapy
  • Art Therapy Practicum and Supervision
  • Lifespan Development from an Art Therapy Perspective
  • Psychopathology and Advanced Diagnosis

Year 1, Spring Semester

  • Ethical and Legal Issues in Art Therapy
  • Art Therapy with Children and Adolescents
  • Art Therapy with Families and Adults
  • Art Therapy Internship I

Year 1, Summer Semester

  • Assessment and Evaluation in Art Therapy
  • Career Counseling for Art Therapists
  • Art Therapy Practice - Variable Topics

Year 2, Fall Semester

  • Groups and Families for Art Therapists
  • Cultural and Social Diversity in Art Therapy
  • Art Therapy Internship II
  • Research Methods for Art Therapists

Year 2, Spring Semester

  • Advanced Art Therapy Practice: Specialized Populations
  • Master's Culminating Project
  • Studio Art for Art Therapists
  • Art Therapy Advanced Internship

Prerequisites

Herron's art therapy program requires prerequisite courses in studio art (18 credits) and psychology, including course work in developmental and abnormal psychology.

Applicants applying for admission in fall 2024 must complete all prerequisite courses prior to the start of the spring 2024 semester.

Frequently asked questions

Do you have questions about our art therapy program that aren't answered here? Visit our frequently asked questions page for more information.

Art therapy stories

Kaitlin Knapp

(M.A. Art Therapy '17)

Knapp discusses her work at Ascension St. Vincent and Peyton Manning Children's Hospital, plus other endeavors.

Read Kaitlin's Q&A

Lauren Daugherty

(M.A. Art Therapy '18)

The Sidney and Lois Eskenazi Museum of Art at IU hired Lauren Daugherty to lead its art therapy initiative.

Learn about Lauren

Eileen Misluk

Director of Art Therapy

Assistant professor Eileen Misluk discusses program to help clinicians use art therapy to treat eating disorders.

Read about the program

Retention and job placement data

According to data collected by program faculty, the following is the most recent reporting for Herron's graduating M.A. students in the Class of 2023, Class of 2022 and Class of 2021.
Retention and graduation
Academic yearAY 20-21AY 21-22AY 22-23
Full-time or part-time/low-residency students expected to graduate15126
Students in this cohort who left the program or were dismissed301
Students in this cohort who graduated on time10115
Students who graduated but not on time210
On-time graduation rate66.7%91.6%100%
Final graduation rate83.3%100%83.3%
Job placement
Academic yearAY 20-21AY 21-22AY 22-23
Full-time and part-time students who graduated during the specified year11125
Graduates employed full-time or part-time in art therapy or a related field within six months of graduation11124
Graduates who continued their education or are serving in the military and are unemployed000
Graduates whose employment status is unknown001
Employment rate100%100%80%

Faculty

Joan Alpers

Joan Alpers

Associate Faculty

Jessica Buescher

Jessica Buescher

Associate Faculty

N C

Natasha Chopra

Associate Faculty

Alicia Criswell

Alicia Criswell

Associate Faculty

Lauren Daugherty

Lauren Daugherty

Visiting Clinical Assistant Professor

T F

Tessa Faraone

Associate Faculty

Brittany Hill

Brittany Hill

Associate Faculty

Shannon McCullough

Shannon McCullough

Assistant Dean of Admissions and Student Affairs, Associate Faculty

Eileen  Misluk

Eileen Misluk

Director of Art Therapy, Associate Professor

Joani Rothenberg

Joani Rothenberg

Associate Faculty

Join Indiana’s premier school of art and design

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