Whiteboard sketches from a Designing for Mental Health course at ArtCenter College of Design

Counseling and Wellness

ArtCenter is dedicated to providing students with an array of health and wellness resources.

Counseling Services

On-campus counseling services with licensed therapists are available at no charge for up to five visits per term. This service is for students who need short-term help with immediate personal problems. To schedule an initial appointment, students can see any staff member in the Center for the Student Experience. We can also refer students to any one of a number of off-campus therapists and other health care providers, as needed. Due to high demand, we recommend students schedule appointments as early as possible to ensure they can be seen by one of the therapists.

Financial Literacy Education

In partnership with our Financial Aid Office, we provide workshops and other resources to enhance students’ understanding and management of personal finances, building a foundation for successful personal financial management following graduation.

Health and Wellness

CSE sponsors health, wellness and safety workshops throughout the year and provides educational literature on a variety of health-related topics. In partnership with 24 Hour Fitness, we also provide students with discounted fitness center memberships with no contracts or start-up fees.

Enrolled students are eligible to use the gym facilities at Occidental College during the Fall and Spring semesters during designated hours. For more information, please refer to the Student Handbook or contact the Center for the Student Experience.

ArtCenter’s Student Health Insurance Program (SHIP)

All ArtCenter students enrolled in a degree program are required to have health insurance. To ensure that students have access to quality health care, ArtCenter automatically enrolls all students in the Student Health Insurance Program (SHIP) at the start of each term—unless they successfully complete a waiver showing proof of comparable coverage.

SHIP at a Glance: 2025–2026 Academic Year

  • Insurance Provider: UnitedHealthcare (UHC)
  • Plan Type: PPO
  • Cost: $360 per term (charged separately on your tuition statement)
  • Coverage Periods:
    • Fall: September 1 – through break weeks
    • Spring: Begins first Saturday of term – through break weeks
    • Summer: Begins first Saturday of term – through August 31

SHIP Waiver Process

  • Waiver Requirement: Must be completed once per academic year (September–August)
  • Waiver Period:
    • Opens ~6 weeks before each term
    • Closes at 5:00 p.m. on the Friday of the second week of classes
  • Waiver Notification & Instructions: Sent via email by Academic Health Plans (AHP)
  • Successful Waiver: SHIP fee removed from tuition bill

(Note: Once the SHIP plan is used, you cannot waive the coverage for that term.)

Taking a Term Off?

  • Students on a Leave of Absence can elect to purchase SHIP coverage for one term per academic year
  • Coverage must be purchased directly through AHP

Need Help?

Contact AHP: artcenter@ahpservice.com
On-Campus Support: The Center for the Student Experience can help with:

  • Understanding coverage
  • Finding in-network doctors
  • Navigating billing and claims

Center for the Student Experience

Hillside Campus, Room 274

626 396-2323
cse@artcenter.edu
Weekdays, 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.

CSE on Instagram
CSE on InsideArtCenter

abstract photograph

Take the first step toward a career in art and design.