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Lyndi
Student
Georgetown, Ohio
1
Question
Updated
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What degree paths lead to becoming a certified art therapist in the Midwest?
What degree paths lead to becoming a certified art therapist in the Midwest? Specifically, as it pertains to being certified in Ohio and surrounding states. #fall25
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2 answers
Chinyere Okafor
Educationist and Counseling Psychologist
1185
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Port Harcourt, Rivers, Nigeria
Updated
Chinyere’s Answer
Hi Lyndi,
Good question! To become a registered art therapist in the Midwest (including states like Ohio), there are clear degree pathways. Here is a summary of how to get there as well as information about credentials and licensure.
What you need to become an Art Therapist
- A master's degree in art therapy (or a similar mental-health discipline with requisite art therapy curriculum) is required to practice as an art therapist (in states that regulate the profession).
- To satisfy license requirements, the program should preferably be accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) or approved by the American Art Therapy Association (AATA).
- During or right after the master's program, you must finish a supervised clinical internship or practicum, which involves working closely with clients under supervision for hundreds of hours. (atcb.org)
- You next submit an application to the Art Therapy Credentials Board (ATCB) for certification. ATR-P (Provisional Registered Art Therapist) is an entry-level certificate that leads to ATR (Registered Art Therapist) and, if you pass the national test, ATR-BC (Board-Certified Art Therapist). (American Association for Art Therapy)
What degree path undergraduate students often take
- Your bachelor's degree should ideally prepare you well for the master's degree, which is necessary for licensure. Typical options are:
Psychology provides you with a solid foundation in human behavior, development, mental health, and the necessary research background.
- The "art" aspect of art therapy is aided if you possess artistic abilities, such as drawing, painting, sculpture, or mixed media. Prior art studio hours are required for many master's programs. [atcb.org]
- A dual background: Some persons mix fields like art + education, psychology + art, etc., or they major in psychology and minor in art (or vice versa). This provides you with the creative and therapeutic foundation.
In summary, choosing psychology, social work, human services, fine arts, or a combination of these fields will prepare you well for graduate school, but you don't necessarily need a "art therapy bachelor's" (because the majority don't exist).
Licensing & Regulation — What to watch out for (Midwest / Ohio context)
- For instance, in Ohio, a master's degree from an authorized program, the completion of the necessary supervised clinical hours following graduation, and a current ATCB credential (ATR, ATR-BC, etc.) are prerequisites for obtaining a licensure as an art therapist.
- Different states have different laws governing art therapy. Some have unique licensing laws for art therapy, while others recognize it under more general counseling/therapy licenses. (atcb.org)
- This implies that you will need to review the licensing regulations in any subsequent states you relocate to because what applies in Ohio might not apply elsewhere.
What your educational journey might look like
- Do your undergraduate studies in fine art, psychology, or a combination of these. Develop your artistic abilities and your comprehension of human nature.
- Apply to an AATA/CAAHEP-approved master's program in art therapy (or a comparable specialty in mental health + art therapy).
- Finish the necessary curriculum, prerequisites for studio art, and practicum or internship hours.
- Start supervised clinical hours after graduation and submit an ATCB application for an ATR certificate.
- To become ATR-BC (board-certified), pass the ATCB test after completing the ATR + hours. Next, if your state requires it, apply for your state license.
Best wishes!
Good question! To become a registered art therapist in the Midwest (including states like Ohio), there are clear degree pathways. Here is a summary of how to get there as well as information about credentials and licensure.
What you need to become an Art Therapist
- A master's degree in art therapy (or a similar mental-health discipline with requisite art therapy curriculum) is required to practice as an art therapist (in states that regulate the profession).
- To satisfy license requirements, the program should preferably be accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) or approved by the American Art Therapy Association (AATA).
- During or right after the master's program, you must finish a supervised clinical internship or practicum, which involves working closely with clients under supervision for hundreds of hours. (atcb.org)
- You next submit an application to the Art Therapy Credentials Board (ATCB) for certification. ATR-P (Provisional Registered Art Therapist) is an entry-level certificate that leads to ATR (Registered Art Therapist) and, if you pass the national test, ATR-BC (Board-Certified Art Therapist). (American Association for Art Therapy)
What degree path undergraduate students often take
- Your bachelor's degree should ideally prepare you well for the master's degree, which is necessary for licensure. Typical options are:
Psychology provides you with a solid foundation in human behavior, development, mental health, and the necessary research background.
- The "art" aspect of art therapy is aided if you possess artistic abilities, such as drawing, painting, sculpture, or mixed media. Prior art studio hours are required for many master's programs. [atcb.org]
- A dual background: Some persons mix fields like art + education, psychology + art, etc., or they major in psychology and minor in art (or vice versa). This provides you with the creative and therapeutic foundation.
In summary, choosing psychology, social work, human services, fine arts, or a combination of these fields will prepare you well for graduate school, but you don't necessarily need a "art therapy bachelor's" (because the majority don't exist).
Licensing & Regulation — What to watch out for (Midwest / Ohio context)
- For instance, in Ohio, a master's degree from an authorized program, the completion of the necessary supervised clinical hours following graduation, and a current ATCB credential (ATR, ATR-BC, etc.) are prerequisites for obtaining a licensure as an art therapist.
- Different states have different laws governing art therapy. Some have unique licensing laws for art therapy, while others recognize it under more general counseling/therapy licenses. (atcb.org)
- This implies that you will need to review the licensing regulations in any subsequent states you relocate to because what applies in Ohio might not apply elsewhere.
What your educational journey might look like
- Do your undergraduate studies in fine art, psychology, or a combination of these. Develop your artistic abilities and your comprehension of human nature.
- Apply to an AATA/CAAHEP-approved master's program in art therapy (or a comparable specialty in mental health + art therapy).
- Finish the necessary curriculum, prerequisites for studio art, and practicum or internship hours.
- Start supervised clinical hours after graduation and submit an ATCB application for an ATR certificate.
- To become ATR-BC (board-certified), pass the ATCB test after completing the ATR + hours. Next, if your state requires it, apply for your state license.
Best wishes!
Diana Rodriguez Velasquez
Psychologist
54
Answers
Memphis, Tennessee
Updated
Diana’s Answer
To become a certified art therapist in the Midwest—especially in Ohio and surrounding states—the most common and appropriate path is through graduate-level education.
In general, the pathway looks like this:
1. Bachelor’s degree (undergraduate):
This can be in psychology, counseling, art, fine arts, or a related field. What matters most is completing prerequisite coursework in both psychology and studio art.
2. Master’s degree in Art Therapy or Art Therapy & Counseling:
To become a credentialed art therapist, you typically need a master’s program accredited or approved by the American Art Therapy Association (AATA). These programs integrate clinical counseling training, art therapy theory, and supervised practicum/internship hours.
3. Postgraduate supervised experience:
After the master’s degree, most states (including Ohio) require postgraduate supervised clinical hours to qualify for licensure and/or professional credentials.
4. Credentialing and licensure:
Many art therapists pursue the ATR (Registered Art Therapist) and ATR-BC (Board Certified Art Therapist) credentials.
Licensure requirements vary by state, so it’s important to check how art therapy is regulated in Ohio and neighboring states (sometimes under counseling or mental health licensure).
Because regulations vary, I strongly recommend reviewing:
-State licensure boards (Ohio and surrounding states)
-AATA-accredited graduate programs
-Credentialing requirements through the Art Therapy Credentials Board (ATCB)
Starting with a solid psychology or counseling foundation and then pursuing a specialized master’s in art therapy is the most direct and recognize route.
Wishing you the best as you explore this meaningful and creative career path.
In general, the pathway looks like this:
1. Bachelor’s degree (undergraduate):
This can be in psychology, counseling, art, fine arts, or a related field. What matters most is completing prerequisite coursework in both psychology and studio art.
2. Master’s degree in Art Therapy or Art Therapy & Counseling:
To become a credentialed art therapist, you typically need a master’s program accredited or approved by the American Art Therapy Association (AATA). These programs integrate clinical counseling training, art therapy theory, and supervised practicum/internship hours.
3. Postgraduate supervised experience:
After the master’s degree, most states (including Ohio) require postgraduate supervised clinical hours to qualify for licensure and/or professional credentials.
4. Credentialing and licensure:
Many art therapists pursue the ATR (Registered Art Therapist) and ATR-BC (Board Certified Art Therapist) credentials.
Licensure requirements vary by state, so it’s important to check how art therapy is regulated in Ohio and neighboring states (sometimes under counseling or mental health licensure).
Because regulations vary, I strongly recommend reviewing:
-State licensure boards (Ohio and surrounding states)
-AATA-accredited graduate programs
-Credentialing requirements through the Art Therapy Credentials Board (ATCB)
Starting with a solid psychology or counseling foundation and then pursuing a specialized master’s in art therapy is the most direct and recognize route.
Wishing you the best as you explore this meaningful and creative career path.