Additional Admission Requirements

MA Somatic Counseling Psychology

In addition to the standard graduate admission requirements, the following is required for MA Somatic Counseling Psychology:

For Applicants in Both Concentrations:

• All applicants must have strong academic skills, be motivated to work with others and demonstrate a high level of movement integration.
• All applicants are strongly encouraged to have one to two years of experience in individual or group psychotherapy.
• Selected applicants will be asked to come to the university to participate in a two-day group interview process consisting of both group and individual interviews. These sessions are normally held in March, April and May. Applicants’ admissions files must be complete before the interview.
• BA degree, preferably in a field related to dance/movement therapy and/or body psychotherapy (i.e. psychology, dance, human services, physical or mental health).
• A minimum of 100 hours of fieldwork experience in service to others (mental health work, hospital work, hospice, community projects, etc.). Ideally this exposure gives you a basis of experience that can help to clarify career goals and potential populations of interest.
• One 3 semester credit (45-hour) course in Introduction to Psychology from an accredited academic institution.
• One 3 semester credit (45-hour) course in Abnormal Psychology from an accredited academic institution.
• One 3 semester credit (45-hour) course in Theories of Personality from an accredited academic institution.
• One 3 semester credit (45-hour) course in Anatomy from an accredited academic institution or from an accredited massage school.

For Dance/Movement Therapy Applicants:

Download Dance/movement therapy Forms, which include:

• Dance/Movement Therapy Prerequisite Form
• MA Somatic Counseling Psychology Supplemental Application
• Requirements

International students must complete an additional supplemental application.

Additional prerequisites for Dance/movement therapy applicants only:

• One to two years of regular formal and/or informal training with at least three of the following forms: modern dance, ballet, jazz, tap, folk dance, ethnic dance, yoga, t'ai-chi ch'uan, aikido, Authentic Movement, NIA, Gabrielle Roth's Five Rhythms, Continuum Movement (other forms will be evaluated by the department if necessary).
• Intermediate competency in modern dance technique and/or a maturity with integrating body and spatial awareness.
• Experience with improvisation and exposure to composition, performance, dance history and choreography.

For Body Psychotherapy Applicants:

Download Body Psychotherapy Forms, which include:

• Body Psychotherapy Prerequisite Form
• MA Somatic Counseling Psychology Supplemental Application

International students must complete an additional supplemental application.

Additional prerequisites for Body Psychotherapy applicants only:

• One to two years of regular formal or informal training with somatic practice(s) demonstrating interest in work focused on the human body. Possibilities include: Rolfing and Structural Integration, Bartenieff Fundamentals, Aston-Pattering, Ortho-Bionomy, Body-Mind Centering, aikido, Body-Mind Psychotherapy, Somato Respiratory Integration, Lomi, Gestalt training, Hakomi Laban Movement Analysis, Sensorimotor Psychotherapy, Reichian therapy, Alexander Technique, bioenergetics, Feldenkrais, Radix, Polarity Therapy, acupuncture, acupressure, Qi Gong, physical therapy, occupational therapy, Biodynamic Training, Somatic Experiencing, some types of fitness trainings, some Reiki trainings, some yoga instructor trainings, some yoga therapy trainings, some Pilates trainings and some massage certifications (other forms will be evaluated by the department if necessary).