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Deadlines and Application Info

We are no longer taking applications for Fall 2024.    The due date for a complete Fall 2025 application is Monday, November 25, 2024.    New students are only admitted in the Fall.  There is no spring admission. 

Requirements at a Glance

For more information and detailed submission instructions, click each requirement.

  • Prerequisite Courses
    • Studio Art: 18 semester hour credits (or 27 quarter hour credits)
    • Psychology: 12 semester hour credits (18 quarter hour credits), including Developmental Psychology and Abnormal Psychology.  (These courses must be taken within 5 years and must be for a letter grade).

Transcripts and test scores must be sent to LMU Graduate Admissions: either electronically at graduateadmission@lmu.edu or mailed to Graduate Admissions, Loyola Marymount University, 1 LMU Drive, Suite 235, Los Angeles, CA 90045-2659

Detailed Admissions Requirements

  • Prerequisite Checklist
    You will be required to list all prerequisite courses as they appear on your transcripts on the LMU Graduate Admissions application. So that you can quickly provide this information on the application, we suggest that you use this Prerequisite Checklist as a guide to prepare. If you have not completed the prerequisites, you must indicate your plan to complete them on the application.

    Prerequisites in Art
    A minimum of eighteen (18) semester hour credits (or twenty-seven [27] quarter-hour credits) of study in studio art which demonstrates proficiency and disciplined commitment in art making. It is imperative that the applicant evidence a range of experience using a variety of art materials and processes. The art prerequisites are not named, but they must be studio art courses that involve art-making and have course prefixes that indicate they are art-making courses. Art history, art appreciation and any other non-art-making courses are not considered studio art and will not be counted as a prerequisite. Official sealed transcripts documenting this must be sent to LMU Graduate Admissions.

    Prerequisites in Psychology
    A minimum of twelve (12) semester hour credits (or eighteen [18] quarter-hour credits) of study in psychology, which must include developmental psychology (child, adolescent, or lifespan) and abnormal psychology. Please send a course description for review if the prefix of the psychology course does not start with PSYCH, PSYC, PSY. Official sealed transcripts documenting this must be sent to Graduate Admissions. These courses must be taken for a letter grade within the last 5 years. If the course is older than 5 years, it must be approved by the Program Director. Official sealed transcripts documenting this must be sent to LMU Graduate Admissions.

  • A bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university is required. Priority review is given to applications with complete a bachelor's degree posted prior to applying to the program. An official transcript documenting this must be sent to LMU Graduate Admissions. A minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 on an official transcript is required.

  • Some students may choose to take the GRE to further evidence their ability to succeed in academic settings, especially when they feel their GPA does not reflect their current abilities or dedication. A score of 158 on the verbal portion of the Graduate Record Exam (GRE) is recommended. If you decide to take the GRE, plan on taking the test early enough so you can input a self-reported score on the application and for the official score to reach Graduate Admissions before the deadline date. Official test scores must be sent to LMU Graduate Admissions.

  • Two (2) letters of recommendation are required. Letters should focus on relevant professional, volunteer and/or mental health experience. When filling out the online application, you will need to provide the names and email addresses of your recommenders. The recommenders will then receive an automated email prompting them with instructions on how to submit an electronic letter on your behalf, which must be uploaded to your application directly. No hard copies are accepted.

    To ensure that your letters of recommendation are received by the deadline, please initiate this process early enough to allow your recommenders to submit the letters on time.

  • We require a personal autobiography of ten to twelve pages (double spaced, 10-12 font, 1 inch margin) with an emphasis on personal life experiences, psycho-social content, and pivotal points that led you to apply to the program. Instructions for uploading your autobiography are on the online application form.

  • A portfolio of artwork is required which should include a variety of media in no more than 10 images. You will upload these images to your online application as instructed there. You must include the title, year, medium/materials, and dimensions for all images. Choose one of the art pieces you submitted and write a statement discussing the meaning and psychological content (approx. 300 words). Instructions for uploading the images and writing the statement are on the online application.

  • You will record your video directly to your application. You will be asked to answer four interview questions in 10 minutes. Note that the questions will be provided before you start to record, but will not appear when you begin to record. We recommend that you print or write out the questions before you reach the recording page and have them for reference as you record.

  • Candidates who advance to an interview are required to attend a virtual group interview on either February 8 or 9, 2025. Please mark your calendars for this possibility. We cannot schedule your interview any other day. You are required to be available all day on only one of these days.

    For additional information, please read our page of Frequently Asked Questions.

Submitting Your Application

The application portal for fall applications opens in late summer. The application has many parts and will take some time to complete. We strongly urge you to give yourself several days before the deadline to begin and complete the application. If applications are not submitted by the end of the day on the November deadline, then it will be considered late.

Application Tips

  • This program is listed under “College of Communication and Fine Arts” so please make this selection.
  • Then select the degree “Master of Arts in Marital and Family Therapy with a specialization in Art Therapy.”
  • We suggest that you have your recommenders’ email addresses, your autobiography, your portfolio images and information, test score and prerequisite course information on hand when you start the application. You will need to input or upload these items.
  • Transcripts and test scores must be sent to Graduate Admissions: electronically at Graduateadmission@lmu.edu or mailed to
    • Graduate Admissions
      Loyola Marymount University
      1 LMU Drive, Suite 235
      Los Angeles, CA 90045-2659
  • You may leave and return to the application at any time before you submit.