MDMT - Master of Dance Movement Therapy

Overview
Entry Requirements, Fees and Dates
Regulations
Schedule
Degree Plan
Graduate Profile and Programme Capabilities

The Master of Dance Movement Therapy is an internationally recognised professional accreditation. Over two years of study and research, students become fluent in key aspects of dance movement therapy including anatomy and kinesiology, movement analysis, psychology, dance-based interventions in community and clinical settings, and individual and group therapeutic relationship. You will critically examine practices, theories and issues enabling you to contribute to the field of dance movement therapy in practice and theory.

Your first year of study will involve taught courses, practicums and independent research with experienced dance therapists, practitioners and researchers. International and local expertise and networks will support your future in dance therapy.

The second year is comprised of an advanced practicum in dance therapy and a written thesis, which will draw extensively on community and clinic-based experience. You have the opportunity through this to develop a speciality within the field of dance movement therapy.

The Master of Dance Movement Therapy provides qualification as a registered dance movement therapist, in New Zealand, Australia and beyond, in clinical and community contexts. This programme leads to career opportunities bringing together dance and health in diverse national and international contexts. The Master of Dance Movement Therapy is an internationally recognised professional accreditation whose graduates can practice in Australia, New Zealand, and the wider Austral-Asian region. Upon graduation, students will meet the requirements and can apply for provisional professional membership with DTAA (Dance Movement Therapy Association of Australasia) as a Dance Movement Therapist and full professional registration with ANZACATA (Australian, New Zealand and Asian Creative Arts Therapies Association) as a Creative Arts Therapist.

Activities coordinator in aged care
Arts therapist
Counsellor utilising dance therapy techniques
Dance movement therapist
Disability dance specialist in schools
Group facilitator (disability, children, families, high needs populations)
Teaching, training, education
Therapeutic dance teacher

Once you become a student at the University, you can get help with planning and developing your career from Career Development and Employability Services.

Key Information for Students

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Other qualifications

If your highest qualification was gained from another tertiary institution, view our entry requirements.

University of Auckland minimum programme requirements

Minimum requirements listed here are the likely grades required and do not guarantee entry. We assess each application individually and applicants may require a higher grade to be offered a place.

Research (240 point) - 5.0 Grade Point Average

Bachelors degree or higher.

Calculate your Grade Point Average (GPA)

You must have completed the requirements for the bachelors degree or higher in a relevant field with a GPA of 5.0.

Relevant fields include Dance Studies, Counselling, Exercise Sciences, Health Sciences, Physical Education, Psychology, Sport Science, Theatre Studies, and/or qualifications that lead to registration as a health professional.

You must provide a CV, written statement, and attend an interview. You will also be required to consent to the disclosure of criminal convictions.

Written statement

Your written statement should outline the following:

Why are you applying for the Master of Dance Movement Therapy
Why you think you are suited to a career as a dance movement therapist
What skills and background you bring to this course
Future goals for your work in this field, including populations you may be interested in working with

This should cover relevant training, experience (professional and amateur), involvement in community and extracurricular activities, dance experiences and accomplishments.

Interview

Once you have completed your online application for admission and uploaded your written statement, CV, and academic transcripts you will be contacted via email regarding scheduling in your interview time.

You'll also need to meet other requirements, including time limits and total points limits. See Postgraduate enrolment.

Depending on the type of programme you are pursuing, you may have the opportunity to complete a unique research project. To find out more about the research carried out at the University of Auckland and to identify potential supervisors, check out our researcher profiles.

You must have completed the requirements for the bachelors degree from this University in a relevant field with at least a GPA of 5.0 or higher in 60 points above Stage II or a postgraduate diploma from this University in a relevant field with an overall GPA of 5.0 or higher. Relevant fields include Dance Studies, Counselling, Exercise Sciences, Health Sciences, Physical Education, Psychology, Sport Science, Theatre Studies, and/or qualifications that lead to registration as a health professional.

The University’s Bachelor of Dance Studies (BDanceSt) degree is a suitable pathway into this programme. You may also be eligible to transfer credit towards your BDanceSt if you hold an undergraduate degree in a dance-related discipline. For more information, see External transfer of credit.

If you do not meet the above entry requirements, but have other relevant experience and think you would be successful in postgraduate study, please contact us to discuss alternative pathways into our programmes.

Year Fees Applicable

Domestic Student Annual Fees

International Student Annual Fees

Fees are set in advance of each calendar year and will be updated on this website. Fees are inclusive of 15% GST, but do not include the Student Services Fee, course books, travel and health insurance, or living costs. Fees will be confirmed upon completion of enrolment into courses. For more information, please see Fees and Money Matters.

*Please note: amounts shown are indicative and estimates only.

Scholarships and awards

Find out about the scholarships you may be eligible for.

Student loans and allowances

Are you a New Zealand citizen or resident? You could be eligible for a student loan or allowance.

Cost of living

Get an idea of how much accommodation and general living in Auckland will cost.

This is a limited entry programme: there is a limit on the number of enrolments due to staff or space capacity. For more information, please see the Programme and Course Limitations section of the University Academic and General Statutes and Regulations.

We strongly recommend you get in touch if you have any questions or would like to know more about postgraduate study in the Dance Studies programme.

Postgraduate Adviser (Applications and Admissions)

Dr Sarah Knox

Email: sarah.knox@auckland.ac.nz

Postgraduate Adviser (Current postgraduate students)

Associate Professor Sarah Foster-Sproull

Email: s.foster-sproull@auckland.ac.nz

Semester	Application Closing Date	Semester Start Date	Semester End Date
2026 Semester One	08 December 2025	02 March 2026	29 June 2026
2027 Semester One		01 March 2027	28 June 2027

1 - 2

See important dates for the academic year, including orientation, enrolment, study breaks, exams, and graduation.

Please note: we will consider late applications if places are still available. International students should start the application process as early as possible to allow sufficient time to apply for a visa

The regulations for this degree are to be read in conjunction with all relevant statutes and regulations including the Academic Statutes and Regulations.

1 In order to be admitted to this programme, an applicant must have:

a completed the requirements for a relevant Bachelors degree from this University with a Grade Point Average of 5.0 or higher, or have equivalent prior study

b completed the requirements for a relevant Bachelors degree from this University with a Grade Point Average of 5.0 or higher across 60 points above Stage II

c completed the requirements for a relevant postgraduate diploma from this University with a Grade Point Average of 5.0 or higher, or have equivalent prior study.

2 Equivalence and relevance in Regulation 1 will be determined by the University. Equivalence pertains to the standard as well as nature and level of study.

3 In exceptional circumstances the requirements in Regulation 1 may be waived by the relevant Associate Dean Academic or nominee if they determine that an applicant has at least three years of relevant practical, professional or scholarly experience that provides an equivalent level of preparation.

Notes:

(i) This is a limited entry programme as per the Limitation of Entry Statute 1991 and selection criteria apply. Selection criteria are available from the Faculty of Creative Arts and Industries.

(ii) A relevant qualification may include Dance Studies, Counselling, Exercise Sciences, Health Sciences, Physical Education, Psychology, Sport Science, Theatre Studies, or qualifications which lead to registration as a health professional.

(iii) The applicant will be required to consent to disclosure of criminal convictions as part of the application process as required by Dance Therapy New Zealand for registration.

4 A student admitted to this degree must:

a pass courses with a total value of 240 points

and

b complete within the time limit specified in the General Regulations – Masters Degrees.

5 The total enrolment for this degree must not exceed 280 points.

6 A student admitted to this degree must complete the requirements as listed in the Master of Dance Movement Therapy Schedule.

7 A student enrolled for this degree must, before enrolment in Part II, achieve a Grade Point Average of 5.0 or higher in Part I. If this Grade Point Average is not achieved, enrolment in the Master of Dance Movement Therapy cannot continue.

8 A student must complete the University of Auckland Academic Integrity course as specified in the Enrolment and Programme Regulations, Academic Integrity, of the University Calendar, by the end of the first semester of the Master of Dance Movement Therapy.

9 a The thesis is to be carried out under the guidance of a supervisor appointed by the Programme Director.

b The thesis topic must be approved by the Programme Director.

c The thesis is to be completed and submitted in accordance with the General Regulations – Masters Degrees.

10 A student who does not meet the requirement in Regulation 7 may apply to reassign courses passed from this degree to the Postgraduate Diploma in Therapeutic Dance.

11 This degree may be awarded with Honours in accordance with the General Regulations – Masters Degrees.

12 In exceptional circumstances the Programme Director may approve a variation to a student’s programme of study in accordance with the Enrolment and Programme Regulations.