SAIC Art Therapy & Counseling Program | Graduate & Undergrad Courses

Purple, cream, orange and blue hanging fabrics on a gallery wall.

Danielle E. Swan, "Still," 2021

Art Therapy and Counseling Department

The School of the Art Institute of Chicago’s Master of Arts in Art Therapy and Counseling program explores the relationship between life experiences and artmaking and prepares graduates for a career helping people gain or recover intellectual and emotional clarity, equilibrium, and power through artistic expression.

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Graduate Programs Priority Application Deadline: December 1

SAIC's Graduate Programs offer a priority deadline and reduced application fee before December 1.

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Undergraduate Early Action & Priority Merit Scholarship Deadline: December 1

Submit your application and portfolio by December 1 to be considered for fall 2025 admission and priority merit scholarship.

Apply Now

File Your FAFSA

In order to be eligible for need-based aid such as SAIC, state and federal grants, loans and work study you need to file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) at fafsa.gov.

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Jess Bass, Goo & Ooo, 2022

Three people sitting on a stage speaking to a room of people.

Our Departmental Mission

To provide an art therapy and counseling education that prepares artist-art therapists to practice in specialized settings within a socio-cultural context.

A multimedia art piece using paint, ink and paper.

Annalise Castro, "Just Let It Happen," 2021

Program Guide and Admissions

For admissions questions about the MAATC Program Guide or additional questions about the MAATC program, please email the Art Therapy and Counseling department at maatcinquiries@saic.edu.