Harness the healing power of dance.
СÓÅÊÓÆµâ€™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 and
- All students in the clinical mental health counseling program meet educational requirements for the (NCC).
- All students completing the clinical mental health counseling program will also have met the educational requirements for the (BCC).
The dance/movement therapy concentration within this program is approved by the . Students meet educational requirements for the .
Coursework and fieldwork requirements
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 .
Unique aspects of the DMT concentration
- 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.

Accelerated option for dance or psychology majors
The accelerated option allows qualified undergraduate dance or psychology majors at СÓÅÊÓÆµ to accelerate earning their Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling with a concentration in dance/movement therapy. Contact the program coordinator to learn more.

"I am not the same person that entered this program. I am much more globally, socially and personally aware."
– Stephani Greenleaf, MA, R-DMT ‘21
Clinical Mental Health Counselor and Dance Movement Therapist
Contact
Associate Professor, Director, M.A. Clinical Mental Health Counseling, Dance/Movement Therapy Concentration
Bierenbaum Fisher Hall
emillrod [at] rider.edu
609-896-5000 ext. 7067
Academic Focus: Dance/Movement Therapy
Contact
Professor, Director of Clinical Mental Health Counseling and Coaching Programs
Bierenbaum Fisher Hall
jbuser [at] rider.edu
609-895-5486
Academic Focus: Counseling Services
