Postgraduate courses

2024

Enrolment Information

Students need to use My Programme Requirements to view courses that are part of their degree in Dance Studies.
There are indicative programme structure diagrams on the degree pages which can be used as a visual aid when planning your studies.

Below are the taught courses in Dance Studies and Dance Movement Therapy. Further down are details about the MDanceSt and MDMT thesis courses.

Dance Studies Taught Courses

DANCE 720 - Choreography and Performance Research

Course prescription: Investigates choreographic practice and dance creation as a location for artistic production and academic research. Students will reflect on their own choreographic and performance practice through studio-based activities, while examining choreographic and performance theory.
Semester availability: Semester One
Restriction: DANCE 733, 735, 760
Prerequisite: Departmental approval
Programme restriction: BDanceSt(Hons), PGDipDanceSt, MDanceSt
Points: 30

DANCE 722 - Dance in Community and Education Research

Course prescription: Examines issues and philosophies critical to the development of dance education in formal and informal contexts in New Zealand and internationally. Personal pedagogical practices are reviewed and dominant discourses critiqued.
Semester availability: Semester Two
Restriction: DANCE 734
Prerequisite: Departmental approval
Programme restriction: BDanceSt(Hons), PGDipDanceSt, MDanceSt
Points: 30

DANCE 724 - Research Methods and Critical Analysis in Dance Studies

Course prescription: Examines diverse qualitative research methods, critical theory and research ethics. Through practical investigations students will source and critically review literature relevant to their personal research directions.
Semester availability: Semester One
Prerequisite: Departmental approval
Programme restriction: BDanceSt(Hons), PGDipDanceSt, MDanceSt, MDMT
Points: 30

DANCE 730 - Dance Intensive

Course prescription: Advanced practice in the physicality and creation of dance.
Semester availability: Semester Two
Prerequisite: Departmental approval
Programme restriction: PGDipDanceSt, MDanceSt
Points: 30

Dance Movement Therapy Taught Courses

DANCE 772 - Dance Therapy, Theory and Practice I

Course prescription: Students will develop their knowledge of dance therapy through theoretical and practical approaches to understanding the conceptual and theoretical foundations that underpin concepts of therapy, well-being, therapist/client relationships and clinical health care systems.
Semester availability: Semester One
Programme restriction: MDMT
Points: 15

DANCE 773 - Dance Therapy, Theory and Practice II

Course prescription: Builds on DANCE 772. Focuses on deepening theoretical and practical understanding of the needs of a variety of client populations in regard to different ages, issues and settings, in individual and group work.
Semester availability: Semester Two
Prerequisite: DANCE 772
Programme restriction: MDMT
Points: 15

DANCE 774 - Psychology in Dance Movement Therapy

Course prescription: Focuses on fundamental skills required for professional clinical settings, including counselling and psychological theories and practice including accurate observation and listening techniques, development of the individual and group therapeutic relationship. Key areas covered include abnormal psychology, developmental psychology, group process and advanced counselling skills.
Semester availability: Semester Two
Programme restriction: MDMT
Points: 15

DANCE 775 - Therapeutic Modalities of DMT

Course prescription: Practicums in dance therapy contexts are supervised by experienced dance therapists. Students will extend their real world knowledge and develop their experience in observing, reporting and facilitating dance movement therapy.
Semester availability: Semester One
Programme restriction: MDMT
Points: 30

DANCE 776 - Awareness and Analysis in DMT

Course prescription: Anatomy and kinesiology will involve the study of the structures and systems of the body through both somatic and scientific approaches. Movement observation involves developing key diagnostic and reporting tools in dance movement therapy.
Semester availability: Semester One
Programme restriction: MDMT
Points: 15

DANCE 777A&B - Practicum in Dance Movement Therapy

Course prescription: Advanced practicum placements in dance therapy settings are supervised by experienced dance therapists. Students will extend their practical knowledge and develop their experience in observing, reporting and facilitating dance movement therapy at a professional level.
Semester availability: Semester one commencement only
Programme restriction: MDMT
Prerequisite: B average or higher in Part I: DANCE724, 772 - 776
Corequisite: DANCE 797A&B
Note: Students must enrol in DANCE 777A and B as this is a double-semester course

Thesis Courses

These are double-semester courses. A student must enrol into both the A and B components of the course. Please note:

Enrolment in the A component of a double-semester course confirms enrolment in the B component, even if in a future year (eg: part-time).
You have until the fourth Friday of the semester in which you first enrol into an A component to make changes without penalty.
After this point, you are liable for the total fees for the whole course (full or part-time), and this includes if you withdraw from the course.

If you are enrolling on a part-time basis, contact the Student Hubs for assistance.

DANCE 792A&B – 90pt Thesis

Semester availability: Semester One and Two
Programme restriction: 120-point MDanceSt
Corequisite: Enrolment in 30pts of DANCE course(s) alongside DANCE 792A
Note: Students must enrol in DANCE 797 A and B and this is a double-semester course.
Points: 30 (DANCE 792A) + 60 (DANCE 792B)

DANCE 795A&B – 120pt Thesis in Community Dance

Semester availability: Semester One and Two
Programme restriction: MCommDance
Note: Students must enrol in DANCE 795 A and B and this is a double-semester course.
Points: 120 total

DANCE 796A&B – 120pt Thesis

Semester availability: Semester One and Two
Programme restriction: MDanceSt
Prerequisite: For 180-point degree: B average across first 60 points of taught courses
Note: Students must enrol in DANCE 796 A and B and this is a double-semester course.
Points: 120 total

DANCE 797A&B – 90pt Thesis in Dance Movement Therapy

Semester availability: Semester One and Two
Programme restriction: MDMT
Prerequisite: B average or higher in Part I
Corequisite: DANCE 777A&B
Note: Students must enrol in DANCE 797 A and B and this is a double-semester course.
Points: 45 (DANCE 797A) + 45 (DANCE 797B)