Certificate in Dance Movement Therapy

Dance/movement therapy is a body/mind-integrated approach to psychotherapy that uses expressive dance and movement processes to encourage the integration of emotional, cognitive, social, and physical functioning. Dance/movement therapy emphasizes the non-verbal realm of movement, touch, rhythm, and spatial interactions, as well as the congruence and connections between verbal and nonverbal modes of expression. 

In this program, students build a strong foundation of theoretical knowledge and clinical application in dance/movement therapy (DMT). The program teaches and balances the art of DMT with the science that supports it. Using diagnostic knowledge, developmental and systems theories, and observational skills based in Laban Movement Analysis, our students learn to assess client functioning and formulate treatment goals. Using their expertise in the dance/movement modality and interactive, improvisational processes, students learn to address the patient’s needs in both group and individual therapy formats. They may design creative group tasks for fostering interaction and cohesion, or to guide an individual through a personal conflict or challenge.

 Admissions

Admission requirements for the certificate program are similar to those for the MA program in Creative Arts, with the exception of standardized test scores.

Curriculum

The Post-Master’s Certificate in Dance/Movement Therapy consists of specialized coursework and supervised clinical experience. For those already holding a master’s degree in a field related to dance/movement therapy (i.e. , dance, dance education, another mental health discipline) this certificate program will help prepare the learner for the Dance Therapist Registered credential from the American Dance Therapy Association (ADTA) through the "Alternate Route. "

Courses in the certificate program address categories delineated by the ADTA for Alternate Route Training in DMT:

• theory and practice in the field of dance and movement therapy
• movement observation and analysis

For the categories delineated by the ADTA in the areas of general mental health and anatomy/kinesiology, the Creative Arts in Therapy Program offers courses for additional fees.

Certificate courses can be taken on a full time basis over one year, or on a part time basis over two years. The certificate program offers the requisite fieldwork and Internship components on an optional basis for additional fees.

For additional information about admission to the program, visit the College of Nursing and Health Professions Creative Arts in Therapy web site.