Creating the Online Body: Educating Dance/Movement Therapists Using a Hybrid Low-Residency Model

This article describes the inception and implementation at Lesley University of a dance/movement therapy (DMT) hybrid low-residency program, which is defined as a combination of face-to-face and distance learning. Dance/movement therapy faculty members share their experiences designing the new hybrid low-residency model, and characterize the process of learning how to optimize course design and curriculum. Examples are provided through description of several core DMT classes: (a) DMT Theories and Practice; (b) Clinical Skills and Applications; (c) Supervision (d) Body/Movement Observation and Assessment. The authors detail their experiences, discoveries, and strategic responses to challenges that were faced through course examples, best practices, and comments provided directly from student and faculty reflections. The description of this unique program has implications in relation to 21st century hybrid DMT graduate training and suggests areas for future research directions in this approach to DMT education.