Movement Therapy and Education: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
Designed for those seeking to advance holistic well-being through embodied practice, this program equips students with the foundational knowledge and applied skills to support physical, emotional, and cognitive integration. It emphasizes the transformative power of movement as a tool for personal development, therapeutic intervention, and educational engagement across diverse populations.
- Skilled touch techniques: Explore precise, intentional physical interventions that foster safety, connection, and somatic reintegration in therapeutic and educational settings.
- Kinesthetic awareness processes: Develop acute sensitivity to body movement and spatial orientation, enhancing self-perception and facilitating mindful, intentional motion.
- Movement observation: Cultivate the ability to analyze movement patterns with clinical and pedagogical precision, identifying functional strengths and areas for growth.
- Patterning: Study the design and application of movement sequences that retrain neuromuscular pathways to support improved coordination, posture, and functional performance.
- Client assessment and guidance: Learn systematic approaches to evaluating individual needs and designing personalized movement-based strategies for optimal psychophysical development.
- Verbal and nonverbal communication: Master the integration of language, tone, presence, and body language to build trust, convey intent, and deepen therapeutic or educational relationships.
- Practice management: Gain essential skills in scheduling, record-keeping, client relations, and operational planning for independent or institutional practice.
- Professional standards and ethics: Engage with ethical frameworks, boundaries, confidentiality, and accountability to uphold integrity and safety in practice.
- Therapeutic and educational modalities: Investigate evidence-informed approaches such as somatic experiencing, dance/movement therapy, and embodied learning methods tailored to diverse age groups and needs.
Movement Therapy and Education Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
Movement Therapy and Education Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Movement Therapy and Education degrees, including 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 19,320 professionals.
National Average Salaries
| Occupation | Median Salary | Salary Range | Total Employment | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Therapists, All Other 29-1129 | $65,010 | $38,840 - $120,050 | 19,320 | $31.26 |
Movement Therapy and Education Salary Map by State
Geographic location significantly impacts earning potential for these careers. Average salaries range from $43,150 in Mississippi to $107,070 in Alaska—a 148% difference. The highest-paying states include Alaska, Nebraska, and New Mexico. Nationwide, these occupations employ over 19,320 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 Movement Therapy and Education by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 5 institutions offering Movement Therapy and Education 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 Movement Therapy and Education is found at Texas Christian University (TCU) (37 graduates), Antioch University (AUNE), New England (16 graduates), CUNY York College (12 graduates), University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill (6 graduates), and Southeastern University (SEU) (4 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 75 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Texas Christian University (TCU) |
Bachelor's
|
37 | Fort Worth, Texas | Private | tcu.edu |
| Antioch University (AUNE) |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
16 | Keene, New Hampshire | Private | antiochne.edu |
| CUNY York College |
Bachelor's
|
12 | Jamaica, New York | Public | york.cuny.edu |
| University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill |
Doctorate (Research)
|
6 | Chapel Hill, North Carolina | Public | unc.edu |
| Southeastern University (SEU) |
Master's
|
4 | Lakeland, Florida | Private | seu.edu |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Movement Therapy and Education programs
How much can I earn with a Movement Therapy and Education degree?
Salaries for Movement Therapy and Education graduates vary by role and location. Therapists, All Other earn a median of $65,010 annually. Geographic location significantly impacts earnings—professionals in Alaska average $107,070 compared to $43,150 in Mississippi. Approximately 19,320 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 Movement Therapy and Education programs?
Currently 5 accredited institutions offer Movement Therapy and Education degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include Texas Christian University (TCU) (37 graduates), Antioch University (AUNE), New England (16 graduates), and CUNY York College (12 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 Movement Therapy and Education growing or declining?
Graduate numbers have increased over the past decade, rising from 65 in 2010 to a peak of 78 in 2020, before declining slightly to 75 in 2023-24. This represents a 15% 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 Movement Therapy and Education degree?
This degree prepares you for roles such as Therapists, All Other. Related occupations employ approximately 19,320 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.
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