Dance Therapy: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
Dance Therapy is an advanced interdisciplinary field that integrates movement, psychology, and creative expression to support holistic healing and personal growth. This program equips professionals to facilitate therapeutic change through intentional dance practices, fostering rehabilitation and well-being across physical, emotional, and cognitive domains.
- Neuroanatomy: Explores the structure and function of the nervous system as it relates to movement, emotion, and behavior, providing a biological foundation for therapeutic interventions.
- Personality Development: Investigates the stages and dynamics of psychological growth, helping practitioners understand individual differences in emotional expression and resilience.
- Movement and Motor Behavior: Focuses on the mechanics and patterns of human movement, analyzing how physical expression reflects internal states and influences psychological health.
- Psychology: Provides core knowledge in human behavior, cognitive processes, and emotional regulation, essential for addressing mental health needs through embodied practice.
- Dance as a Therapeutic Medium: Trains students in choreographic and improvisational techniques specifically designed to evoke emotional insight and promote psychological integration.
- Creative Expression Modalities: Encourages the use of diverse artistic forms—such as movement, rhythm, and spatial design—to unlock nonverbal communication and support healing.
- Improvisation: Develops skills in spontaneous movement, fostering adaptability, presence, and authentic self-expression within therapeutic settings.
- Group Psychology and Leadership: Addresses dynamics within group therapeutic environments, emphasizing facilitation, cohesion, and the role of leadership in collective healing.
- Client Evaluation and Supervision: Teaches systematic methods for assessing client needs, tracking progress, and maintaining ethical, accountable practice through guided supervision.
- Dance Therapy Practice: Offers hands-on training in designing, implementing, and refining therapeutic dance sessions tailored to individual and group client populations.
- Professional Standards and Ethics: Instills a strong commitment to confidentiality, boundaries, cultural sensitivity, and adherence to recognized codes of conduct in clinical and private practice contexts.
Dance Therapy Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
Dance Therapy Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Dance Therapy degrees, including Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary and Therapists, All Other. These career paths represent common employment outcomes but are not guaranteed for all graduates. Salary ranges vary by location, employer, experience level, and specific role requirements. Nationally, these occupations employ approximately 249,040 professionals.
National Average Salaries
| Occupation | Median Salary | Salary Range | Total Employment | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary 25-1071 | $105,620 | $51,760 - $239,200 | 229,720 | N/A |
| Therapists, All Other 29-1129 | $65,010 | $38,840 - $120,050 | 19,320 | $31.26 |
Dance Therapy Salary Map by State
Geographic location significantly impacts earning potential for these careers. Average salaries range from $48,090 in Hawaii to $135,510 in Washington—a 182% difference. The highest-paying states include Washington, District of Columbia, and Arkansas. Nationwide, these occupations employ over 249,040 professionals across all states. Explore the interactive map below to compare regional compensation and identify optimal markets for your career goals.
Average Salary Range:
Top Universities for Dance Therapy by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 5 institutions offering Dance Therapy programs for the 2023-2024 academic year (the most recent data reported as of 2025), ranked by the number of graduates. The highest graduate enrollment in Dance Therapy is found at Sarah Lawrence College (SLC) (17 graduates), Pratt Institute, Main (14 graduates), Drexel University (13 graduates), University of Wisconsin-Madison (3 graduates), and Indiana University of Pennsylvania (IUP), Main Campus (1 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 48 graduates across all degree levels. Program availability varies by award level, including Associate, Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctoral degrees at participating universities and schools.
| College Name | Award Levels | Graduates | Location | Control | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sarah Lawrence College (SLC) |
Master's
|
17 | Bronxville, New York | Private | sarahlawrence.edu |
| Pratt Institute |
Master's
|
14 | Brooklyn, New York | Private | pratt.edu |
| Drexel University |
Master's
|
13 | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | Private | drexel.edu |
| University of Wisconsin-Madison |
Other Award
|
3 | Madison, Wisconsin | Public | wisc.edu |
| Indiana University of Pennsylvania (IUP) |
Other Award
|
1 | Indiana, Pennsylvania | Public | iup.edu |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Dance Therapy programs
How much can I earn with a Dance Therapy degree?
Salaries for Dance Therapy graduates vary by role and location. Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary earn a median of $105,620 annually, while Therapists, All Other earn around $65,010. Geographic location significantly impacts earnings—professionals in Washington average $135,510 compared to $48,090 in Hawaii. Approximately 249,040 professionals work in related occupations nationwide.
Salary data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS program, May 2024. Earnings vary by experience, employer, and market conditions.
Which universities have the largest Dance Therapy programs?
Currently 5 accredited institutions offer Dance Therapy degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include Sarah Lawrence College (SLC) (17 graduates), Pratt Institute, Main (14 graduates), and Drexel University (13 graduates).
Program size doesn't necessarily indicate quality—consider factors like faculty expertise, production opportunities, location, and available degree levels when choosing a school.
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2023-2024 academic year. Numbers reflect programs where students graduated.
Is enrollment in Dance Therapy growing or declining?
Graduate numbers have increased over the past decade, rising from 26 in 2010 to 48 in 2023-24. This represents a 85% increase overall from 2010.
The field remains specialized with steady interest, though opportunities are most concentrated in major metropolitan areas with active arts scenes like New York, California, and Illinois.
Graduate enrollment data from IPEDS, 2010-2024 academic years. Trends reflect reported completions at participating institutions.
What career paths are available with a Dance Therapy degree?
This degree prepares you for roles such as Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary, Therapists, All Other, . Related occupations employ approximately 249,040 professionals nationwide.
Skills in project management, creative leadership, and collaboration also transfer to event planning, arts administration, marketing, and corporate training roles. Many professionals work freelance or on a project basis across theatre, film, and live events.
Career pathways mapped using CIP-SOC crosswalk from the National Center for Education Statistics. Employment data from BLS OEWS May 2024.
Related Health Programs
Explore similar degree programs within the Health field. These programs share the same academic discipline and may offer complementary skills and career pathways.
Health Humanities
A program that explores the ethical, historical, literary, philosophical, and religious dimensions of medicine or health. Includes instruction in art, cultural studies, economics,...
Arts in Medicine and Health
A program that focuses on the design, implementation, and management of programs that use the visual and performing arts in support of health...
Health Professions Education and Humanities
Any instructional program in health professions education, ethics, and humanities not listed above.
Alternative and Complementary Medicine
Instructional content for this group of programs is defined in codes 51.3300 - 51.3399.
Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine
A program that prepares individuals for the independent professional practice of acupuncture, a Chinese system of health care and healing based on the...
Traditional Chinese Medicine and Herbology
A program that prepares individuals for the independent professional practice of Chinese herbal medicine, a system based on the use of nutrition, natural...