Dance/Movement Therapy Concentration

Rider University’s M.A. in clinical mental health counseling (CMHC) is the only CACREP-accredited degree program with a dance/movement therapy (DMT) concentration. A movement interview is required for students interested in the DMT concentration. Learn more about the application process and requirements. 

By focusing your studies with the DMT concentration in the CMHC program, you can combine your passion for dance with your desire to help others. Use your creativity, artistry and dance knowledge to improve mental health and well-being through expressive movement. You will be able to help people with anxiety, depression, disordered eating, poor self-esteem, post traumatic stress disorder, addictions, autism, developmental disabilities and dementia, among others.

Students can complete the M.A. in clinical mental health counseling program with or without a dance/movement therapy concentration. Please refer to the main clinical mental health counseling program page for details on accreditation and other important program information.  

• All students in the M.A. in clinical mental health counseling program meet educational requirements for the Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in New Jersey and Pennsylvania 
• All students in the clinical mental health counseling program meet educational requirements for the National Certified Counselor (NCC). 
• All students completing the clinical mental health counseling program will also have met the educational requirements for the Board Certified Coach (BCC). 

The dance/movement therapy concentration within this program is approved by the American Dance Therapy Association. Students meet educational requirements for the Registered Dance Movement Therapist (R-DMT).

Students in the dance/movement therapy concentration within the clinical mental health counseling program complete 65 credits of coursework and 950 hours of fieldwork.

• All clinical mental health counseling students take the same 45-credits (36 credits of core courses and 9 credits of fieldwork).
• Students in the DMT concentration within the clinical mental health counseling program complete 20 credits of coursework in DMT. There are no electives in this concentration. 

For more information, please visit the catalog. 

• The DMT concentration within the CMHC program prepares students to be versatile DMT practitioners who are compassionate, open minded, self-reflective, creative and socially responsible.  
• Students develop competencies in DMT and counseling, so that they can adapt their clinical practice to meet the needs of their clients, as well as meet the demands of today’s healthcare systems. 
• Small class sizes ensure students receive personal attention from the instructors. There are 16 students maximum per DMT-specific course. 
• Full-time students can complete the CMHC program with the DMT concentration in as little as 2.5 years. 
• With a strong commitment to social justice, faculty create a learning community for students of all backgrounds and identities. Students are empowered to be active participants in their learning and to co-construct knowledge collaboratively with others.
• Movement Based Experiential Learning is central to developing the body-mind connection as well as to understanding the healing factors of the creative process and dance in DMT.