Marywood’s Art Therapy program has been an awesome experience to be apart of so far! I chose this program because it’s ranked one of the best in the country. I ...
An art therapy degree from Marywood University in Scranton, Pennsylvania prepares students for a rewarding career combining creative expression with therapeutic practice. Marywood’s programs introduce students to the human service profession of art therapy, emphasizing both artistic development and the skills needed to serve others effectively.
For those wondering how to become an art therapist, Marywood University offers a pathway from undergraduate preparation to professional practice. Students in the bachelor’s art therapy program build a strong foundation in studio art, behavioral sciences, and social sciences, gaining the essential skills required to advance to graduate-level training.
Internships provide supervised, hands-on experience in diverse settings, including mental health organizations, schools, skilled nursing centers, and community agencies. These experiences expose students to the real-world therapeutic process and prepare them for a successful career as an art therapist.
While master’s-level art therapy programs focus on readiness for professional practice, undergraduate training emphasizes:
Commitment to art-making and serving others
Understanding the healing and therapeutic qualities of art
Development of strong studio skills and knowledge of behavioral and social sciences
Students interested in continuing their education can advance to Marywood’s Master’s in Art Therapy Program, which prepares graduates to work as licensed art therapists in healthcare, education, and community settings.
A career in art therapy is growing as fast as—or faster than—the national average. Graduates leave Marywood with the skills, experience, and supervised training necessary to succeed in clinical and community settings while making a meaningful impact through art and therapy.
Marywood is ranked #14 Best Value School by U.S. News & World Report’s Best Colleges rankings for 2026, making Marywood a great, centrally located option for students in Northeastern Pennsylvania who want to stay closer to home.
The programs are designed to help students attain full development as creative persons through the integration of art studies with the total concept of a liberal arts education. It is through the creative, aesthetic dimension of human intelligence that greatness in culture is born. See all the showcased student work in the program.
Sandtray and Sandplay are forms of therapy beneficial for a range of ages and populations that allow clients to create their own representations of their inner world or experiences using miniature figures and sand. These creations can become metaphors of the client’s life and serve as a means for the client to reflect on conflicts, obstacles, and self-acceptance. The sandtray room at Marywood University enables students to directly experience and learn about the process of incorporating sand and miniatures into therapy.
Marywood’s Art Therapy program has been an awesome experience to be apart of so far! I chose this program because it’s ranked one of the best in the country. I ...
Explore the vibrant community and endless opportunities that await you at Marywood. Attend one of our special events designed specially for you to learn more about Marywood's degree programs, dedicated faculty, and welcoming campus.
Weekday Visits »Marywood University hosts three academic Centers of Excellence on campus; The Center for Law, Justice and Policy, The Center for Urban Studies, and The Mother Theresa Maxis, IHM Center. Each center provides students with the tools and resources to excel in their academic endeavors, fostering a dynamic environment where they can engage deeply with their respective fields of study and make meaningful contributions to their communities and beyond.
Marywood University is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSHE).
The Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Art Therapy is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD) and American Art Therapy Association.
Also accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education.
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS / Association of Arts Administration Educators / College Art Association / National Art Education Association / Pennsylvania Art Education Association / Society of Illustrators
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