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.

IU Indy earns R1 status

Join our creative community

The art therapy program at Herron is a tight-knit community of committed students, experienced faculty, and engaged alumni. Small cohort sizes mean students get individualized attention from faculty with a wide range of clinical experiences, theoretical frameworks, and therapeutic approaches.

Plan your visit

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 2026 must complete all prerequisite courses prior to the start of the spring 2026 semester.

Compliance and accreditation information

ACCREDITATION

The Master of Arts in art therapy program at Herron School of Art and Design at IU Indianapolis is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) upon the recommendation of the Accreditation Council for Art Therapy Education (ACATE).

REGISTRATION AND LICENSURE

Developed in accordance with the guidelines established by the Accreditation Council for Art Therapy Education (ACATE), Herron's Master of Arts in art therapy prepares you with the academic, clinical, and research experience necessary to apply for the Provisional Registration as an Art Therapist (ATR-P) through the Art Therapy Credentialing Board (ATCB) and for Licensure as a Mental Health Counselor Associate (LMHCA) in Indiana.

PROFESSIONAL LICENSE DISCLOSURE

IU must provide disclosures to students by listing all U.S. states and territories with information regarding whether the completion of this academic program:

  • will be sufficient to meet requirements for professional licensure or certification; or
  • will not be sufficient to meet requirements for professional licensure or certification; or
  • has not yet been determined by IU to be sufficient to meet the requirements for professional licensure or certification.

This interactive map is intended to meet these requirements and includes the program URL and licensing board contact information. The information may not be exhaustive and could be updated in the future.

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

Arts-based wellness for veterans

Creative Arts for Vets

"Through art, there’s a mindfulness, an intentionality — a way to express my feelings through non-verbal means."

Read the story

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
Final retention and graduation rate83.3%100%85.71%
Employment outcomes
Academic yearAY 20-21AY 21-22AY 22-23
Employment rate (positive placement) is based on post-graduation survey data100%90%80%
Employment knowledge rate is based on data gathered from the program beyond the survey100%100%100%

Meet your allies, mentors, and collaborators

Our dedicated graduate faculty work hard to create a positive, inclusive learning environment that values each individual's intellectual and emotional capacity. As part of your studies, you will collaborate with the following core faculty members to shape your professional development and career goals.

Join Indiana’s premier school of art and design