You Belong Here
So much is in store for you at Lesley University! Now that you’ve been accepted, RSVP for our exclusive celebration for new undergraduate and Threshold students for either Saturday, March 23 or Saturday, April 27.
Expressive Therapies

Art Therapy

Bachelor of Science (BS)

Create paths for healing through art.

Art is how you express yourself. It’s how you channel emotions in a positive way. At Lesley, transform your passion for art into the knowledge needed to help others.

Explore your artistic identity and hone your skills in drawing, painting, sculpture, and more. Study psychology and mental health counseling. With our reputation for pre-professional training in the world of art therapy, you’ll learn what it takes to make a difference in people’s lives and blaze a trail as you grow into a career as a mental health counselor, art therapist, grief counselor, mindfulness coach for stress management, and many more possibilities.

Throughout your studies, you’ll develop an understanding of healing with the guidance of practicing art therapy clinicians. Intensive studio courses in Lesley’s College of Art and Design will challenge and inspire you as an artist. You’ll examine subjects ranging from abnormal psychology and studio-based art therapy to painting and photography. And, with our reimagined general education curriculum, you'll be even more prepared to solve 21st-century problems facing humankind.

Everything you learn you’ll apply through internships in Cambridge and Greater Boston. With hands-on guidance and support from our expert faculty and mentoring clinicians in the field, you’ll gain experience and grow your skills at places such as The Children's Room, Perkins School for the Blind, Community Arts Center, Our Space, and more. You’ll build your confidence, cultural sensitivity, and compassion, and graduate ready to make an impact.

Undergraduate Program Inquiry Form

Program Structure

Full-time or part-time on-campus program

120 Credits
Thinking about transferring here?

Log in to Transferology, add the courses you've taken, and see how they'll transfer to Lesley University.

“I have learned how to better reach a population that oftentimes cannot communicate through words alone. Every action means something.”
Ashley Backunas ’17, Art Therapy
Craft Creative Combinations
As an Art Therapy major, you can pursue a second major or one of our 45+ minors—in art & design or a liberal arts subject—to expand your career opportunities.

Forge your own path with a creative combination:
Gain Skills & Expertise
Here's a taste of what you'll do in our Art Therapy program:
students playing instruments

Small College, Big University

Within the dynamic environment of a larger university, you'll receive the personalized education of a small liberal arts college of 1,300 students. You'll benefit from the largest network of licensed mental health counselors in New England—with more than 1,000 Lesley counseling graduates in the last 5 years alone. Our undergraduate- and graduate-level faculty can help you explore how to use the arts to heal through the innovative Expressive Therapies field, which Lesley founded over 40 years ago.

Careers
Jobs You Could Have
The field of mental health counseling is expanding rapidly, making this an exciting time to pursue this area of study. Common job titles for people with bachelor's degrees in art therapy include:
Careers
Where You Could Work
Massachusetts and Greater Boston have a large concentration of medical, healthcare, and mental health-related organizations. Graduates find careers in a range of places, including:
doble campus during the fall

Cambridge is our campus. Boston is our neighbor.

Whether you're pursuing art therapy, counseling, or another major in psychology or applied therapies, you'll take classes on our three beautiful Cambridge campuses near Harvard Square. You'll discover the Cambridge and Boston area—a dynamic hub of professional opportunity, service work, culture, and fun few other cities can match. And, you'll build your résumé and make connections through internships with some of the most prestigious healthcare and community organizations in Greater Boston.

Faculty

Approximate cost, before financial aid, for one year of attendance in this undergraduate program.
Art Therapy
Housing Options
Compare the cost of the program for students who live on campus in a residence hall with the cost for commuter students.
  • Tuition
    Fall Tuition
    $15,945
    Spring Tuition
    $15,945
  • Fees
    Software Fee
    $200
    Fall Comprehensive Fee
    $445
    Spring Comprehensive Fee
    $445
  • Room & Board
    Fall Health and Wellness Fee
    $445
    Spring Health and Wellness Fee
    $445
    Fall Room (double, triple, or quad room)
    $5,740
    Spring Room (double, triple, or quad room)
    $5,740
    Fall Meal Plan
    $3,790
    Spring Meal Plan
    $3,790
    Housing Deposit (one-time fee)
    $300
  • Total cost before financial aid
Estimated Cost

Merit Scholarships & Financial Aid

It’s our goal at Lesley to break down financial barriers so that students who want to learn here, can learn here. That’s why we offer generous, customized aid packages for students based on their individual needs. In fact, more than 98% of our full-time undergraduate students receive some form of financial aid. Learn more about Financial Aid & Scholarships.

Tuition & Fees

Other fees may apply. Review all undergraduate tuition and fees, and what they cover.

Tuition and fees are subject to change each year, effective June 1.

Housing Options
Compare the cost of the program for students who live on campus in a residence hall with the cost for commuter students.
  • Tuition
    Fall Tuition
    $15,945
    Spring Tuition
    $15,945
  • Fees
    Software Fee
    $200
    Fall Comprehensive Fee
    $445
    Spring Comprehensive Fee
    $445
  • Room & Board
    Fall Health and Wellness Fee
    $445
    Spring Health and Wellness Fee
    $445
    Fall Room (double, triple, or quad room)
    $5,740
    Spring Room (double, triple, or quad room)
    $5,740
    Fall Meal Plan
    $3,790
    Spring Meal Plan
    $3,790
    Housing Deposit (one-time fee)
    $300
  • Total cost before financial aid
Estimated Cost

Merit Scholarships & Financial Aid

It’s our goal at Lesley to break down financial barriers so that students who want to learn here, can learn here. That’s why we offer generous, customized aid packages for students based on their individual needs. In fact, more than 98% of our full-time undergraduate students receive some form of financial aid. Learn more about Financial Aid & Scholarships.

Tuition & Fees

Other fees may apply. Review all undergraduate tuition and fees, and what they cover.

Tuition and fees are subject to change each year, effective June 1.

Apply Now

Ready to get started? We're here to make the application process as smooth as possible. Just answer a few quick questions, and get your customized application guide.

Approximate cost, before financial aid, for one year of study in this undergraduate program. Tuition and fees are for the 2023–2024 academic year.
Use our step-by-step guide to apply for federal, state, and university funding. Scholarships, grants, Work-Study, and loans. It’s all right here.

Next steps to apply

Ready to get started? We're here to make the application process as smooth as possible. Just answer a few quick questions, and get your customized application guide.