Art Therapy

Start your standout story.

Art Therapy

Combine your passion for art with the work of healing by becoming an art therapist. This unique treatment approach allows you to interact with a wide spectrum of clients who have varying physical, emotional and spiritual needs. Northwestern’s art therapy degree is your first step to becoming a master’s-level clinician, equipping you with the visual art skills and knowledge of psychological theories to enter grad school with ease. You’ll learn from professional artists and psychologists, create a portfolio for exhibition, and collaborate on published psychology research.

Major requirements

Art Therapy
Why NWC?

Why NWC?

As an art therapy major, you’ll train in a variety of artistic mediums, including drawing, painting, ceramics, sculpture and printmaking. Psychological study will introduce you to the theories of human development, psychology and counseling, and you’ll learn to integrate faith with evidence-based practice. Related minors include art, arts administration, entrepreneurship and a K-12 art education endorsement.

CONTACT
Phil Scorza
Phil Scorza
Department Chair

Outcomes

With an art therapy degree from Northwestern, you’ll be ready to pursue graduate studies in art analysis and clinical treatment. Master’s-level art therapists work in a variety of settings, such as private counseling centers, hospitals, correctional facilities and senior centers. Wherever your career takes you, our undergraduate program is an excellent foundation for the artist and psychologist seeking to provide holistic care to clients of all ages.

Join our standout alumni at:

Adler University
Chicago, IL
Promise Community Health Center
Sioux Center, IA
Radical Minds
Omaha, NE
Seasons Center for Behavioral Health
Sioux Center, IA

Experience

Where you’ll create

Where you’ll create

The Korver Visual Arts Center is fully equipped to help you experiment with new mediums, expand your portfolio, and present your work in a professional gallery setting. You’ll have access to studios, including:

  • Ceramics room with 17 wheels and 4 kilns
  • Drawing studio with 17 drafting tables
  • Mac lab with 21 computers set up with Adobe Suite
  • Painting studio for oil, acrylic and watercolors
  • Darkroom for processing film photography
  • Sculpture lab with professional-grade power tools
  • Printmaking studio with 4 presses 

Upcoming exhibits

Upcoming exhibits

Te Paske Gallery in the Korver Visual Arts Center hosts four or more art showings each year, featuring the work of both professional and student artists. 

Upcoming Exhibits

Compass Center for Career & Calling

Compass Center for Career & Calling

The Compass Center for Career & Calling will connect you with internship experiences in a major U.S. city or with a studio, gallery or museum closer to home. Past internship placements have included the Minneapolis Institute of Art and the Museum of Contemporary Art in Chicago.

Study abroad

Study abroad

Study abroad opportunities will introduce you to another country’s art and culture. Recent students have studied art, history and philosophy at the University of Oxford, taken courses in fashion in Italy, and analyzed theatre productions on London’s West End.

Creative success

Creative success

Art students have had their work selected for a juried undergraduate exhibition at the University of Nebraska, won a logo competition sponsored by the Higher Learning Commission, and contributed design work to local businesses and nonprofits.

Where you’ll create

The Korver Visual Arts Center is fully equipped to help you experiment with new mediums, expand your portfolio, and present your work in a professional gallery setting. You’ll have access to studios, including:

  • Ceramics room with 17 wheels and 4 kilns
  • Drawing studio with 17 drafting tables
  • Mac lab with 21 computers set up with Adobe Suite
  • Painting studio for oil, acrylic and watercolors
  • Darkroom for processing film photography
  • Sculpture lab with professional-grade power tools
  • Printmaking studio with 4 presses 

Upcoming exhibits

Te Paske Gallery in the Korver Visual Arts Center hosts four or more art showings each year, featuring the work of both professional and student artists. 

Upcoming Exhibits

Compass Center for Career & Calling

The Compass Center for Career & Calling will connect you with internship experiences in a major U.S. city or with a studio, gallery or museum closer to home. Past internship placements have included the Minneapolis Institute of Art and the Museum of Contemporary Art in Chicago.

Study abroad

Study abroad opportunities will introduce you to another country’s art and culture. Recent students have studied art, history and philosophy at the University of Oxford, taken courses in fashion in Italy, and analyzed theatre productions on London’s West End.

Creative success

Art students have had their work selected for a juried undergraduate exhibition at the University of Nebraska, won a logo competition sponsored by the Higher Learning Commission, and contributed design work to local businesses and nonprofits.