FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Where is Moving On Center located?

The independent study period of Somatic Movement Therapy Training (SMTT) is conducted at a location selected by the student, who works with an approved supervisor during that time.

The final 6+ weeks of professional Somatic Movement Therapy Training (SMTT) take place for about two weeks at EarthDance in Western Massachusetts and in a location in New York City (usually at Riverside Church Dance Studio.

(Note: Our West Coast office in Oakland, California is no longer open.)

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Who may apply?

The Participatory Arts Certification Program and individual modules are for any individual who desires more knowledge and experience of her/his own body and how one's self can be more fully expressive. Moving On Center is committed to making this program available to a diverse population and encourages people of all cultural, racial, social and sexual orientations to apply. Having a background in dance, bodywork, or the arts is not a requirement. Desire and interest in the body, moving arts, and interactive experiential learning are aspects that we look for in our applicant candidates.

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Can I just take one or two modules? Will I still get a certificate?

In order to receive the Participatory Arts Certification one must complete all of the requirements for the Certification program, which are described here on our Participatory Arts Information page.

However, a student may simply take one or two modules if they are not interested in receiving the complete Participatory Arts Certification. Students will receive a certificate signifying the completion of each individual module.

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Can I just take workshops or classes within the modules?

Yes! Please refer to the Workshops page for more information on courses offered individually.

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Are there alternative study options for the Participatory Arts program?

The Moving on Center staff will make every effort to tailor the program to meet the needs of incoming students. If you are interested in alternative options please speak to a co-director so she can help you design a schedule that meets your needs.

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Are there alternative study options for Phase One of SMTT?

Students who complete the Participatory Arts Certificate at Moving On Center are eligible to pursue the Somatic Movement Therapy Training (SMTT). For students who are not able to take the full Participatory Arts Certificate Program, we are happy to provide more information on how to use to modules and workshops offered at MOC to meet the SMTT requirements.

Other students who have taken the Somatic Movement Theory Courses independently may also apply to join the SMTT. Please see our SMTT page for more information. As noted on the SMTT page, an additional $600 advising fee applies for students who complete the Phase One SMTT course work outside of MOC.

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Are there pre-requisites for the Participatory Arts Program or Individual Modules?

For the Participatory Arts program and individual modules, a desire to learn through movement is the prime pre-requisite. Individual learning rhythms and paces are respected. Basic training in Anatomy & Kinesiology is provided in the beginning of the CMTSE Module. Previous training is useful, but not required.

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Are there pre-requisites for the SMTT?

Yes. Students who complete Participatory Arts Certificate studies are eligible to pursue the Somatic Movement Therapy Training (SMTT). For students who are not able to take the full Participatory Arts Certificate Program, please contact us for more information on how to use to modules and workshops offered to meet the SMTT requirements.

Other students who have taken the Somatic Movement Theory Courses independently may also apply to join the SMTT. Please see our SMTT page for more information on what is involved in Phase One of the SMTT. As noted above, an additional $600 advising fee applies for students who complete the Phase One SMTT course work outside of MOC.

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What is the TYPICAL SEQUENCE OF SMTT Study?

Students vary as to whether they complete the 4 phases in 15 months, 2 years or longer. Numerous students choose to take even longer, especially if they are working, involved in parenting, or combining their studies. If a applicant is already certified in Laban/Bartenieff studies or BodyMind Centering they may choose a shorter course of study depending on their certification or ISMETA registration goals.

PHASE ONE:

Moving On Center students: Participatory Arts Certification or Module I, Module II, LMA & BMC class
Others: Record Prior training; attend courses still needed; pay advising fee
Apply to SMTT (Report all PHASE ONE courses taken so far)
SMTT Phase 1 studies may be completed in NYC by selecting workshops through the Center for Kinesthetic Education - CKE, Movements Afoot, or from the Laban/Bartenieff Institute of Movement Studies; all pre-requisite courses are offered in either weekend or once a week format. Occasionally these centers also offer 3 - 5 day intensives. Courses in other areas of the world are acceptable.

2 - 4 full days of Orientation: September (CA) or Jan (NY)
Independent Study: Oct through April

Spring Intensive: Phase 3 is offered every 2 years during even years (2008, 2010 etc.) Mid May through June (It can be taken in 2 week segments over the course of several years.)

1 or 2 week intensives in Summer or Fall following Phase 3.

Upon completion of all classes, homework and payment. It is possible to be complete in one year but many students opt to take more time to integrate the knowledge.

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What is the exact time frame for SMTT?

One common time frame for completing Certification is 14 months. However some students elect to stretch out the PHASES over several cycles (years).

For example, if you go to Moving On Center and complete coursework for Modules 1 & 2, and LMA in CA you will be complete with PHASE ONE. If you choose to take classes independently, your PHASE ONE could be shorter or longer. Ideally, you complete PHASE ONE in time to attend an orientation on the East or West coast.

Most students join the full PHASE THREE Spring Intensive (Generally Monday - Friday 9 � 6PM), however some students take it in two week segments over several years.

PHASE FOUR also has variable timing since the modules will be developed in accordance with your professional interests and those of your group members.

Some students choose to take longer to complete their written homework. There is a fee for homework submitted after November 1 of the year that you completed PHASE THREE intensive.

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When do I need to have finished the PHASE ONE classes for SMTT?

You need to finish them before you graduate. It is ideal to finish them before you begin the Independent Study packet in PHASE TWO because the knowledge will help you. Many students have completed most courses before the orientation. By PHASE THREE your cohorts will have taken all of these courses, however periodically exceptions are made.

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Do I need to list all of my hours of study of PHASE ONE courses within my initial application?

Yes, that is ideal. As you study more you can add more information about the completion of coursework to your self-created transcript. If you have attended Moving On Center, you can indicate completion of Modules 1 & 2 or list the PHASE ONE courses that you have taken.

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Does the program require a lot of homework and reading?

Core students who take the full Participatory Arts Certification Program are required to complete multiple homework assignments and projects (social change, informal performance, and a teaching project) plus any mandatory reading. Students taking individual modules will have some mandatory reading and homework assignments. The culminating Teaching Project will be designed by each Core Participatory Arts Students upon completion of their courses. It will require documentation and will be verbally and/or visually presented. It will be a time to integrate material learned from all modules and intensives taken.

Students pursuing the Somatic Movement Therapy Training certification need to meet additional requirements, which include assignments and independent study. Please see our SMTT page for more information. As this is a professional training program, there is an expectation of completion of written and interactive homework before certification is awarded.

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How is student work evaluated?

At MOC we value "real" learning, knowledge and skills that can be applied by each person in his or her own unique setting and own creative way. Given this, we believe there is no one answer or solution to the projects or assignments that we give. While quizzes may be given in class, exams given are often open-book, take-home assignments. At MOC we are interested in personally motivated learning: a student's ability to identify goals, find appropriate resources, implement tasks, and record what has been accomplished. Students write self-evaluations and discuss these with their faculty advisor. Students are also asked to develop a portfolio of their work that may include written reports, creative writing, photos, and fine art samples. In making evaluations the faculty act as witnesses and facilitators of student learning, sharing and articulating their perceptions in dialogue with the student.

The same values exist for the SMTT. Competency of knowledge is evaluated through in-class participation, movement and hands-on demonstrations and assessments, written homework, and one take-home exam.

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Does the program have housing for SMTT?

Housing is provided during the Earth Dance portion of the spring 6+ weeks Somatic Movement Therapy Training (SMTT) for an additional cost of about $500 per room. Students can be assisted in finding housing in New York City if needed.

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Can I get financial aid for SMTT?

Moving On Center has a low-interest loan program in association with a public foundation where funds are available on a rolling basis. We also have work exchange (WEX) positions for students who are in financial need. Please speak to our staff for more information. Our research has so far discovered limited funding resources in this area of study. We recommend that you conduct your own research into possible grants from organizations that appear to have potential of support.

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Can studies at MOC be part of a university degree?

Yes. At this time Moving On Center is not a credit-granting institution, however eight of our core classes are approved for graduate level credit through California State University, East Bay. The approved classes are: 1) Bartenieff Fundamentals 2) Laban Movement Analysis 3) Learning to Move: Developmental Movement 4)Authentic Movement 5) Body-Mind Centering 6) Contact Improvisation 7) Somatic Integration 8) Somatic Application. (Please note that all of these courses meet requirements for the SMTT also.)

Obtaining credit for these classes from other institutions depends on the policies of the specific college or university with which you are affiliated. Some other degree programs may give credit for studies at Moving On Center, usually toward electives. If the courses at MOC are equivalent to those at a university or college, they may issue transfer credits. We will provide administrative support for your academic negotiations with other schools. Independent degree programs allow you to design your own course of study. A list of potential educational resources is available through our office.

Students living in New York State may consider matriculating with SUNY - Empire State College programs in Performance Studies or in Health at the Undergraduate or Graduate level. This is a "university without walls" program that will allow you to design your own program including somatic studies in the New York area.

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How do students use their certification upon graduation?

Training at Moving On Center can be the start of a whole new career working as a massage technician, somatic movement therapist, or as a dancer and/or performer or using movement to work with children, seniors, or other special needs populations.

Graduates of the SMTT are generally proactive workers and some are trend setters in the fields of health, wellness and education. Many graduates register as Somatic Movement Educators or Somatic Movement Therapists with the International Somatic Movement Education and Therapy Association.

Given that this training supports the unfolding of each individual's unique talents and skills, graduates are involved in diverse and unique employment. Numerous graduates are using their somatic movement certification in their teaching positions in universities. As other examples of employment, graduates have begun holistic health centers, are working in public and private schools, work individually with children with special needs, guide community dialogues using somatic movement principles, and/or work in private practice part time and teach or perform as well. Visit our graduate links to learn more about what our graduates are doing.

Many graduates of MOC decide to continue their studies. For instance graduates have satisfied all the prerequisites for certificate level training in BMC, Hakomi, or Laban/Bartenieff Movement Analysis and may go on for study in Europe or in the United States. Some students have continued their dance training at the European Dance Development Center in Arnheim with a student exchange Moving On Center offered. Other students have continued performance and theater training. One student received credit toward her professional training in motor pedagogy in Germany, which enabled her to be able to legally practice movement work in clinical settings. Graduates also continue to study in higher education, obtaining masters and doctoral degrees.

Students may also return to the work they were doing previously with new verve and focus - massage therapists integrate more movement observation and repatterning to their practice; dance administrators find new connections with community based on somatic work; poets write from a deeper bodily insight; choreographers and dance educators return to their creative endeavors with more anatomical knowledge and a larger philosophical context for their work. Community Organizers create change in their communities with renewed energy and awareness from the changes they have made within their own bodies and minds. Performers take a more sophisticated knowledge of the body into their absorption of movement forms and expressive qualities endure. They are able to name what they are doing, as well as derive specific meaning from their dancing.

Moving On Center has also been a place to open up new doors to life practices, such as learning Tai Chi, Authentic Movement, or self-study about Chinese medicine and holistic nutrition. Connecting more fully with body wisdom, most graduates report an enhanced quality of life, and improved ability to communicate and act upon their beliefs, values, and dreams.

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What if I am an International Student? (Visas, Language, etc.)

Moving on Center is proud to attract students from many countries! We will do whatever we can to help international students attend our school. Unfortunately, due to the current political climate, student visas are unavailable at this time . Despite this fact, international students have continued to attend our programs. We are happy to discuss the available options with you.

Classroom instruction, written assignments, and textbooks are in English. It is important to be able to understand spoken English in order to be able to fully participate in classes. Instructors are willing to repeat or rephrase (and always speak slower) if you have problems understanding them, and students work together to support language challenges when they arise.

For SMTT students, it may be possible to obtain student visas through matriculating with SUNY Empire State College in New York State.

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