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
  • Topic Seminar in Counseling and Guidance

Year 2, Fall Semester

  • Group Work for Art Therapists
  • Cultural and Social Diversity in Art Therapy
  • Art Therapy Internship II
  • Professional Issues Capstone I

Year 2, Spring Semester

  • Advanced Art Therapy Practice: Specialized Populations
  • Professional Issues Capstone II
  • 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 (12 credits), including developmental psychology (3 credits) and abnormal psychology (3 credits).

Applicants applying for admission in fall 2021 must complete all prerequisite courses prior to the start of the spring 2021 semester.

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 2021.

Retention and graduation
AY 2020-21Figures
Full-time or part-time/low-residency students expected to graduate11
Students in this cohort who left the program or were dismissed0
Students in this cohort who graduated on time8
Students who graduated but not on time1
On-time graduation rate72.7%
Final graduation rate81.8%
Job placement
AY 2020-21Figures
Full-time and part-time students who graduated during the specified year11
Graduates employed full-time or part-time in art therapy or a related field within six months of graduation11
Graduates who continued their education or are serving in the military and are unemployed0
Graduates whose employment status is unknown0
Employment rate100%

Faculty

Joan Alpers

Joan Alpers

Associate Faculty

Jessica Buescher

Jessica Buescher

Associate Faculty

Alicia Criswell

Alicia Criswell

Associate Faculty

Heather Davis

Heather Davis

Associate Faculty

T F

Tessa Faraone

Associate Faculty

Brooke Komar

Brooke Komar

Clinical Assistant Professor

Shannon McCullough

Shannon McCullough

Assistant Dean of Admissions and Student Affairs, Associate Faculty

Eileen  Misluk

Eileen Misluk

Director of Art Therapy, Assistant Professor

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