Therapeutic Dance

The Certificate of Proficiency in Therapeutic Dance is an interdisciplinary, 27-credit program that integrates dance, education, gerontology, health, nutrition, psychology, and rehabilitation sciences. The program prepares students to facilitate safe, inclusive, and evidence-informed dance and movement experiences that support physical, cognitive, emotional, and social well-being across the lifespan.

Students connect this interdisciplinary knowledge with dance technique, kinesiology, improvisation, pedagogy, and community-based practices. Through applied coursework and community-engaged learning, students develop skills in lesson planning, movement adaptation, inclusive teaching, creative facilitation, music and rhythm integration, participant observation, professional communication, cultural humility, and trauma-informed practice. 

Students learn to design movement experiences for older adults, individuals with disabilities, children and adolescents, and people living with Parkinson’s disease, dementia, stroke, traumatic brain injury, and other neurological or mobility-related conditions.

Graduates may pursue employment or complementary professional opportunities in senior living and memory-care communities, rehabilitation facilities, hospitals and wellness programs, community health organizations, disability service agencies, youth residential programs, recreation centers, nonprofit organizations, and adaptive or inclusive dance programs. Potential roles include therapeutic dance practitioner, adaptive dance instructor, creative-aging teaching artist, community arts educator, movement and wellness facilitator, recreation specialist, and Arts in Health program coordinator.

The certificate can also provide interdisciplinary preparation for graduate study in dance/movement therapy, Arts in Health, gerontology, rehabilitation, and related fields. Because admission and prerequisite requirements vary among graduate programs, students interested in becoming credentialed dance/movement therapists should consult prospective programs and professional organizations when planning their continued education. The certificate itself does not qualify graduates as dance/movement therapists or replace clinical licensure.

For more information, contact Dr. Juan Carlos Claudio at juanclaudio@weber.edu