The George Washington University Art Therapy Graduate Program trains exceptionally skilled therapists whose professional practice is grounded in a broad understanding of the most current clinical art therapy, counseling and trauma theories. Our students learn the most effective research and evaluation methodologies, clinical skills and studio expertise, all within a diverse, integrative and culturally responsive format. Our approach is student-focused, allowing each student to cultivate their own unique art therapist identity.

Founded in 1971, our program is one of the first of its kind in the country, and one of the first to receive approval from the American Art Therapy Association. The Art Therapy Program offers three options: a Master’s in Art Therapy (with a thesis option); a Master’s in Art Therapy Practice and a combined Bachelor of Arts/Masters of Arts in Art Therapy.

Program Highlights

• Mission and goals
• Faculty -- Five full-time faculty and approximately 20 adjunct faculty (experienced and practicing art therapists) encompassing a wide range of therapeutic specializations.
• State-of-the-Art Space -- Technological studio classrooms; Art Therapy Gallery; on-site open art studio, Program library and student computer lab.
• Trauma coursework integrating current research with experiential work in the Art Therapy Clinic.
• Social and Cultural Diversity emphasis -- International and service-learning coursework summer courses and internship opportunities in India, France, South Africa and American Indian country.
• Research opportunities for individual, collaborative, faculty and programmatic research.
• Art Therapy Clinic -- Opportunities for individual, collaborative, faculty and programmatic research.
• Internship Sites -- Over 100 internships with diverse populations in psychiatric, educational, medical and community-based settings in DC, Virginia and Maryland.
• History -- One of the oldest, most well established art therapy programs, created and developed by founders in the field of art therapy—Edith Kramer, Hanna Yaxa Kwiatkowska, Bernard Levy and Elinor Ulman.