2024-2025 Graduate Academic Catalog

M.A. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling: Dance/Movement Therapy (60 credits)

On-Campus and Low-Residency Options

The Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling: Dance/Movement Therapy is a 60-credit program that integrates coursework, clinical work and supervision in dance therapy and mental health counseling.

  • The program can be completed in three years of study.
  • A first field placement of 450 supervised hours, and a second field placement of 700 clinically supervised hours are required.
  • On-Campus and Low-Residency students follow the same program of study.

Program Prerequisites

  • Bachelor’s degree, preferably in your artistic discipline or psychology with a GPA of 3.0 or better
  • Expertise in at least two different dance or movement forms
  • Demonstrate an ability to move in a connected and kinesthetically informed way through video portfolio submission
  • Volunteer/community work related to human services
  • Completed coursework in: Psychology, including abnormal psychology (3 credits) and developmental psychology (3 credits) with grades of B or better, and anatomy and kinesiology (3 credits) with a grade of B or better.

For the university's transfer credit policy for this and other programs, see the Transfer of Credits page.

Program of Study

Core Courses (30 credits)

GEXTH 5032Orientation to Expressive Therapies

3

GEXTH 6032Human Development Across the Lifespan

3

GEXTH 6102Professional Counseling Orientation and Ethical Practice

3

GEXTH 6105Examining Power Privilege & Oppression in Clinical Practice

3

GEXTH 6106Research and Program Evaluation

3

GEXTH 6256Group Counseling: Dance/Movement Therapy

3

GEXTH 6415Psychopathology and Clinical Practice

3

GEXTH 6416Theories of Mental Health Counseling

3

GEXTH 6417Assessment and Testing in Mental Health Counseling

3

GEXTH 6418Vocational and Career Counseling

3

Field Experience Courses (12 credits)

GEXTH 5119Clinical Skills and Applications

3

GEXTH 6431Dance Movement Therapy as Trauma-Informed Practice: Supervision I

3

GEXTH 7713Supervision in Dance/Movement Therapy and Counseling II

3

GEXTH 7717Supervision in Dance/Movement Therapy and Counseling III

3

Electives (6 credits)

Choose 2 courses from the following list:
GEXTH 5010Principles and Practices of Expressive Arts Therapy

3

GEXTH 6025Marriage and Family Therapy

3

GEXTH 6040Treatment of Substance Use Disorders and Addictions

3

GEXTH 7017Thesis Seminar

3

Students must choose GEXTH 6025 and GEXTH 6040, if required for counseling licensure as determined by student location. 

Students can also complete a 3-credit specialization or non-specialization elective course in consultation with their advisor.

Specialization Courses (12 credits)

GEXTH 5108Dance/Movement Therapy: Theories and Practice I

3

GEXTH 5109Dance/Movement Therapy: Theories and Practice II

3

GEXTH 6258Body Movement Observation and Analysis I: Frameworks

3

GEXTH 7013Body Movement Observation and Assessment II: Applications

3