by our College Data Analytics TeamIn 2020-2021, dance therapy/therapist was the 1,111 most popular major nationwide with 52 degrees awarded. This represents a 19.2% increase in dance therapy degrees awarded over the prior year's total of 42.
Our 2023 Best Dance Therapy Schools ranking analyzes 2 of these schools to determine the best overall colleges for dance therapy/therapist students. Explore this or one of our many other custom dance therapy rankings further below.
One of the most important skills you will need for a career in dance therapy/therapist is teaching others how to do something. Required skills include talking to others to convey information effectively and understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
A high school diploma or equivalent is typically required for most dance therapy degree programs and many students will need a minimum GPA and SAT/ACT score depending on the school. Once you obtain your degree, additional dance therapy certifications required to pursue a career in this field.
There are many different dance therapy degree levels. Dance Therapy programs offered by schools range from a to a , which is the highest dance therapy degree you can get. The type of dance therapy degree you choose will determine how long it takes to get your diploma.
| Degree | Credit Requirements | Typical Program Length |
|---|---|---|
| Associate Degree | 60-70 credits | 2 years |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 120 credits | 4 years |
| Master’s Degree | 50-70 credits | 1-3 years |
| Doctorate | Program required coursework including thesis or dissertation | At least 4 years |
A master's degree is the most common level of education achieved by those in careers related to dance therapy, with approximately 35.9% of workers getting one. Find out other typical degree levels for dance therapy workers below.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Master’s Degree | 35.9% |
| Doctoral Degree | 24.9% |
| Post-Doctoral Training | 19.1% |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 12.5% |
| Associate’s Degree (or other 2-year degree) | 4.6% |
Most workers in dance therapy have at least a master's degree. View the chart below to get an idea of what degree level most of those in dance therapy/therapist careers have.
This of course varies depending on which dance therapy career you choose.
Want a job when you graduate with your dance therapy degree? Dance Therapy careers are expected to grow 25.3% between 2016 and 2026.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to dance therapy/therapist.
| Occupation Name | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Health Specialties Professors | 294,000 | 25.9% |
| Therapists | 28,900 | 19.9% |
As you might expect, salaries for dance therapy graduates vary depending on the level of education that was acquired.
Salaries for dance therapy/therapist graduates can vary widely by the occupation you choose as well. The following table shows the top highest paying careers dance therapy grads often go into.
| Occupation Name | Median Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Health Specialties Professors | $122,320 |
| Therapists | $57,680 |
With over 5 different dance therapy degree programs to choose from, finding the best fit for you can be a challenge. Fortunately you have come to the right place. We have analyzed all of these schools to come up with hundreds of unbiased dance therapy school rankings to help you with this.
One of 15 majors within the Rehabilitation & Therapeutic Professions area of study, Dance Therapy has other similar majors worth exploring.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Physical Therapy/Therapist | 13,655 |
| Occupational Therapy | 9,958 |
| Rehabilitation Science | 1,161 |
| Vocational Rehabilitation Counseling | 1,046 |
| Therapeutic Recreation/Recreational Therapy | 870 |
Image Credit: By Barbara E. Carver under License More about our data sources and methodologies.
