Clinical Mental Health Counseling, M.A. (Dance/Movement Therapy Concentration)

Program overview

The Dance/Movement Therapy concentration in Rider’s M.A. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling program will enable you to combine your passion for dance with your desire to help others. You will be able to help people with anxiety, depression, disordered eating, poor self-esteem, post traumatic psychosis, addictions, autism, developmental disabilities and dementia, among others.

Join us on October 16 for an in-person Graduate and Adult Learner Open House to connect with faculty and admissions counselors.

Admission requirements

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By the numbers

$57K+

median annual salary for dance/movement therapists in New Jersey (ZipRecruiter, 2022)

16

students max per DMT-specific course

2.5

year completion rate - or attend part-time and finish in 3.5 or 4.5 years

Concentration features

This concentration meets the academic requirements for the Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and most other states and is in candidacy for the national Registered Dance Movement Therapist (R-DMT) through the American Dance Therapy Association. It also meets all educational requirements for certification as a National Certified Counselor (NCC) and Board Certified Coach (BCC).
Be active in your learning. Movement Based Experiential Learning is central to developing the mind-body connection as well as the knowledge and skills to practice DMT
Dance and move to gain insight into your creative process and how to use creativity in DMT
Gain extensive and valuable clinical experience

Dance/Movement, body mind integration through movement.

Concentration requirements

Dance/Movement Therapy is a concentration in the Clinical Mental Health Counseling Master’s program. This concentration requires a separate movement interview for admission.

All students in this area of study must complete 65-credits of coursework as well as 950 hours of fieldwork. Fieldwork must be completed towards the end of the program after completion of required academic coursework. The DMT concentration requires 20-credits of coursework specific to DMT. Students in the MA CMHC (with a DMT concentration) do not have electives as part of their program of study.

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Enrich the lives of others

Use your creativity, artistry and knowledge in dance to improve health and wellbeing through expressive movement.

Common workplace settings:

Counseling and mental health programs
Psychiatric hospitals
Rehabilitation centers
Nursing homes
Correctional facilities
Substance abuse treatment programs
Employee assistance programs
Schools for children with developmental and intellectual disabilities

4+2 Option for Dance and Psychology Majors

A 4+2 degree option allows qualified undergraduate dance or psychology majors at Rider University to accelerate earning their master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling with a concentration in Dance/Movement Therapy. Contact the program coordinator to learn more.

I never would have thought that I would be able to incorporate something I love so much (dance) with helping others and turning it into my career path. I know Rider is giving me the tools to have a successful future as a professional helper.

Stephani Herman, Class of 2021

Clinical Mental Health Counseling, M.A. (Dance/Movement Therapy Concentration)

Accreditation information

Rider’s clinical mental health program is accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Program (CACREP), the premier national accrediting body that ensures excellence in counselor preparation and training.

The MA Counseling and MA CMHC programs are on an 8-year accreditation cycle and are CACREP-accredited until October 31, 2022. CACREP accreditation is sought for our programs on an ongoing basis.

AY 2020-21 CACREP Annual Report (PDF)