MA in Dance/Movement Therapy: Couple & Family Therapy
Become the Change You Wish to See in the World Through Movement
Transformative Dance/Movement Therapy: Empowering Students to Heal and Create Change
Are you ready to explore the healing power of movement and become a catalyst for social change? Our Dance/Movement Therapy program offers a low residency model that allows students to balance their professional and personal commitments while engaging deeply in their education.
This degree is offered by Antioch University’s New England Campus.
What makes our program unique?

- A Deep Dive into Social Justice, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Engage in nuanced learning that challenges students to think critically about the role of dance/movement therapy in a diverse world. Our curriculum is designed to equip students with the knowledge and skills to address issues of social justice, equity, and inclusion in a therapeutic context. - Honoring Tradition While Embracing Innovation
Rooted in the rich history of dance/movement therapy, our program honors the traditions that have shaped the field while staying attuned to emerging practices and evolving approaches. We ensure students are prepared to engage with the discipline's legacy and future.- Infobase & Expressive Media, Inc (Firm). (2013). To Move Is To Be Alive. In Films on Demand. Expressive Media, Inc. http://fod.infobase.com/PortalPlaylists.aspx?wID=107751&xtid=145491
- Cultural Worldview Shapes One’s Practice
You are the architect of your own therapeutic journey. We empower students to tailor their approach to reflect their unique worldview, ensuring that their practice is authentic, meaningful, and impactful. - Integrating Systems Theory for Holistic Healing
Our program embraces systems theory, recognizing that individuals are deeply interconnected with the larger social and environmental systems around them. Learn how to navigate and work within these systems to foster healing, transformation, and lasting change within communities and organizations.
Join us today to begin your journey toward becoming a compassionate, culturally attuned, and systemically conscious dance/movement therapist.



Program Overview

The master’s program in Dance/Movement Therapy at Antioch University New England (AUNE) was one of the first to be approved by the American Dance Therapy Association (ADTA). Students become Registered Dance/Movement Therapists (R-DMT) upon completion of the master’s degree requirements. Antioch’s MA in Dance Movement Therapy with a concentration in Couple and Family Therapy program also meets education requirements in many states for licensure as a Marriage and Family Therapist* (*Check with your state licensure board for verification).
Program Overview
Our low‑residency master’s program combines online coursework with immersive, in‑person clinical training. Students complete 60–65 credits over three years (nine semesters) while gaining supervised experience in both Dance/Movement Therapy (DMT) and Couple and Family Therapy (CFT).
Year One
- Two in‑person residencies (June/July and February/March)
- Continued online coursework
- Synchronous class sessions each semester
Year Two
- Two in‑person residencies (June/July and February/March)
- Continued online coursework
- Synchronous class sessions each semester
CFT Internship
- 300–500 direct clinical hoursSupervised by an AAMFT‑approved supervisor
- May be completed anywhere in the United States
- Includes an online group internship supervision for ongoing support
Year Three
- One in‑person residency (June or July)
- Continued online coursework
- Synchronous class sessions each semester
DMT Internship
- 700 supervised hours over 6–9 months
- Supervision by a Board‑Certified Dance/Movement Therapist
- May be completed anywhere in the United States
- Includes an online group internship supervision for ongoing support
Total Credits: 60–65 credits
Degree Requirements 2026
Semester 1 — Summer
Residency Courses:
- DMT 6200 Foundational Theories of Dance/Movement Therapy (3)
- DMT 6410 Social Identities, Power, and Inequities (3)
Semester 2 — Fall
Online Synchronous Courses:
- DMT 6002 DMT/CFT Identity, Law, and Ethics (3)
- DMT 5101 Family Systems Perspectives (3)
- DMT 5230 Applied Individual Theory in Systemic and DMT Clinical Practice (3)
Semester 3 — Spring
Residency Course:
- DMT 5220 Neurodevelopmental and Embodied Assessment: Children and Families (3)
Online Synchronous Courses:
- DMT 5170 Human Development and the Family Life Cycle (3)
- DMT 5240 Applied Child & Family Theory and Clinical Practice (3)
Semester 4 — Summer
Residency Courses:
- DMT 6010 Psychopathology and Psychodiagnostics in Systemic and Creative Arts Therapies (3)
- DMT 6220 DMT & Systemic Approaches to Crisis & Trauma (3)
Semester 5 — Fall
Online Synchronous Courses:
- DMT 5800 Foundational Theories of Creative Arts Therapies (3)
- DMT 6480 Introduction to Couples and Sex Therapy (3)
Clinical Course:
- CFT 6961 CFT Internship I (3)
Semester 6 — Spring
Residency Course:
- DMT 5700 Research and Evaluation in Systemic and Creative Arts Therapies (3)
Clinical Course:
- CFT 6962 CFT Internship II (with residency) (3)
Semester 7 — Summer
Residency Courses:
- DMT 6041 Group Work in DMT: Liberatory Practices (3)
- DMT 6040 Integrative Neuro‑Embodied Assessment and Clinical Treatment Planning (3)
Clinical Courses:
- CFT 6980X CFT Internship Continuation (as needed) (0)
- CFT 6963 CFT Internship III (as needed)(1–3)
- DMT 6941 Internship in DMT I (1)
Semester 8 — Fall
Online Synchronous Courses:
- DMT 6210 Substance Use and Behavioral Dependencies in Systemic Therapy (3)
- DMT 6942 Internship in DMT II (1)
Clinical Courses:
- CFT 6980X CFT Internship Continuation (as needed) (0)
- DMT 6951 Case Consultation and Supervision I (as needed)(1)
Semester 9 — Spring
Online Synchronous Courses:
- DMT 5180 Gender, Sexual, Erotic, and Relational (GSERD) Diversity in Therapy (3)
Clinical Courses:
- DMT 6943 Internship in DMT III (1)
- DMT 6952 Case Consultation and Supervision II (as needed) (1)
60-65 credits
Credentials and Licensure

Graduates of the Dance/Movement Therapy: Marriage & Family Therapy program at AUNE are eligible to become registered with the American Dance Therapy Association for the R-DMT (Registered Dance/Movement Therapist) credential. After completing further requirements, including two years of work as a DMT, Registered Dance/Movement Therapists are eligible to apply for the BC-DMT (Board Certified Dance/Movement Therapist) credential. For information on how to access requirements for Dance/Movement Therapy credentialing, contact The American Dance Therapy Association at www.ADTA.org.
Licensure Information
This program is designed to lead to state licensure in most states.
Faculty Spotlights
Kara Serasis, MA
Adjunct Faculty
Kimberley Burden, MA
Adjunct Faculty
Alice Scudder, MA
Adjunct Faculty
Tomoyo Kawano, PhD
Program Director
Admissions
How to Apply
- Complete the online admissions application, including the following:
- Essay questions, admissions, and program-specific
- Resume/curriculum vitae (CV)
- Non-refundable $50 application fee
- Submit official transcripts from all colleges or universities where you earned a degree or certificate.
- email transcripts to [email protected], or
- mail to: Office of Admissions Antioch University New England 40 Avon Street Keene NH 03431-3516
- Two letters of recommendation are required from people who are in a position to evaluate your professional or academic work. The person making the recommendation may not be related to you.
- There are additional requirements for International applicants and applicants without a Bachelor's degree
- Virtual interview with a faculty member of the department to which you seek entry if selected.
- Master’s and Certificate Programs do not require the GRE or any other standardized test for admissions. We consider all of your application materials and evaluate your academic potential in a variety of ways.
Official transcripts should be emailed to [email protected] or mailed to: Office of Admissions Antioch University New England 40 Avon Street Keene, New Hampshire 03431-3516 All application materials submitted become part of an applicant’s file and cannot be returned.
Admissions Prerequisites
In accordance with the ADTA (American Dance Therapy Association) admissions standards,
- We look for candidates with an undergraduate degree in diverse backgrounds such as liberal arts, dance, psychology, biology, engineering, etc. (A degree in psychology and/or dance is not required.)
- Significant experience in at least two different dance/movement forms (such as ballet, modern, jazz, improvisation, popular/street/indigenous, liturgical, ballroom, traditional/ethnic/folk, African, Caribbean, Korean, Latin, Middle Eastern, Native American, Tai-chi, Aikido, etc.) and in-depth knowledge of one of them is required.
- Teaching, performing, and/or choreography experience is preferred.
- College-level psychology courses are recommended.
Admission Deadlines
| Program | Term | Deadline |
|---|---|---|
| MA in Dance & Movement Therapy (Low-Res/Online) | Summer | April 1 |
| Certificate in Dance & Movement Therapy | Summer | April 1 |
Tuition & Financial Aid
A college education is an investment in your future. Let us help you understand the costs and explore the resources available to help make your college education even more affordable. The majority of AUNE students finance their education through some form of financial aid. You may not be sure which federal, state, public, and private aid packages – such as loans, scholarships, and grants—are right for you. Our staff is here to help you, so you can focus on what’s most important: beginning your academic program at AUNE.
Cost
| Degree | Tuition Cost per Credit | Total Program Credits |
|---|---|---|
| MA in Dance/Movement Therapy: Couple & Family Therapy | $1,168 | 63 |
| Dance Movement Therapy, Post Masters’ Respecialization Certificate | $840 | 29 |
| View the Cost of Attendance Components | ||
Alternate Route Training Options
As research and understanding of the benefits of embodied and artistic approaches grow in our culture, DMT is increasingly sought by clients in individual, couple, and group therapy treatment to complement verbal approaches. Dance/movement therapists engage in a variety of clinical, community, and educational settings to support clients with depression, trauma, anxiety, relationship concerns, social/emotional development, eating disorders, dementia, and medical conditions.
Low Residency Dance/Movement Therapy Certificate (Keene) Individuals with a master’s degree in education or mental health (Social Work, Marriage and Family Therapy, Clinical Psychology, etc.) or those enrolled in a master's degree can complete a 3-year certificate to fulfill the majority of requirements to become a registered dance/movement therapist via alternate route training. Students take DMT-specific courses during one-week residencies in June and September and continue online over the year. The instructors incorporate hands-on clinical experience to complement experiential classroom sessions, providing cutting-edge information on the discipline of DMT as a body-mind-spirit approach to healing. Supervision resources for the 700 hours of ADTA required internship are embedded in the certificate.

Start your Antioch Journey
Take your next step - talk to our admissions team to find the right program for you.
