• EXPERIENCE & GPA REQUIREMENTS
  • An earned bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited US institution, or a comparable degree from an international institution, with a minimum of 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale) grade point average (GPA) in all coursework
  • The applicant must be in good standing in the institution of higher education
  • Students must have a minimum of 18 semester credits in Studio Art
  • Complete 12 hours of psychology prerequisites:
    • Introduction or General Psychology
    • Developmental Psychology (full lifespan)
    • Abnormal Psychology
    • Theories of Personality (recommended)
• TOEFL (for International Students only)
  • Minimum scores: 80 internet/213 computer
• TRANSCRIPTS
  • Official transcripts must be submitted
  • For detailed information on this process, visit: Graduate Admissions.

• Resume/Curriculum Vitae
• Letters of Recommendation
  • Students must submit three letters of recommendation 
  • The letters of recommendation should be from someone who can describe your ability to meet the graduate level of rigor and expectations in coursework, writing, and speaking skills
• Statement of Purpose
  • A 1,000 word biography addressing:
    • career goals
    • interest in the field
    • professional or academic background
    • rationale for applying to the program
  • Advice for writing a statement of purpose can be found at the FSU Career Center Website
• Academic Writing Sample
  • Submit a formal paper related to art history, psychology or another social science field that demonstrates your writing skills, critical thinking skills, and your ability to present citations and references for source material used.
  • If you do not have a paper that you have written in college, you may write and submit one that reflects exploration of an art therapy related theme or topic.
• A portfolio is one of the most important pieces of your graduate school application.
  • Your portfolio should include 10-12 works including two-dimensional and 3-dimensional works that demonstrate varied art skills over a range of media.  Additionally, include works that demonstrate your personal artistic voice and media interests.
• If your application is selected, you will be invited for an interview with FSU Art Therapy faculty members.

1) Provide diverse philosophical, theoretical, and practical learning opportunities, which include comprehensive practicum experiences, to support integrative knowledge of art therapy concepts and skills.

2) Facilitate development of art therapy graduates as informed ethical agents of art therapy services.

3) Promote opportunities for community dialogues and experiences that enhance graduate students’ multicultural sensitivity and ability to attune art therapy interventions to participants’ cultural beliefs, practices, and values.

4) Actively engage students in research projects and critical review of scholarly research to support graduates’ ability to identify and utilize art therapy best practices.

5) Provide program, university, and community opportunities that support development of students’ leadership and professional advocacy skills.

6) Foster student exploration and understanding of art media and techniques to promote skillful facilitation of art processes that align with client characteristics and treatment goals.

7) Develop students’ knowledge of personal, symbolic, and cultural associations related to artworks and the various ways that meaning exploration and/or interpretation may be approached.

8) Encourage engagement in personal art making and other self-care methods as a means to sustaining personal health and professional productivity throughout an art therapy career.

9) Advance understanding of strengths, challenges, and developmental factors that influence client functioning and potential.

• Students begin in the Fall term and move through the program within a cohort model.
• Minimum 60-63 credit hours (63 credits if thesis selected)
• The 3-year program can be completed in 8 semesters.
• At least 800 supervised hours of practicum with 400 hours of direct contact.
• Culminating project: Students may choose between a supervised research project or a master’s thesis.

Retention of FSU MS Art Therapy Students

Job Placement for FSU MS Art Therapy Program Graduates

Data represents previous year graduates’ job placement within 6-12 months following graduation.

+ Data based on 100% knowledge rate of graduate job placement status.
++ Data based on 90% knowledge rate of graduate job placement status.