CAS in Dance Science: Psychology & Education

The CAS in Dance Science: Psychology & Education of the University of Bern comprises 16 ECTS points and ist part of the Master of Advanced Studies (MAS) in Dance Science. The CAS programme can also be completed separately.

The programme comprises 22 course days (147 contact hours) and 16 ECTS-points (ca. 480 working hours in total).

Teaching language is English.

Target audience

The continuing education programme in Dance Science addresses the following target audience from the field of movement, sports, and dance:

• Dance professionals (dancers, teachers, choreographers)
• Artistic directors of schools, dance companies and theatres
• Human Movement Scientists/Sport Scientists
• Physical education teachers
• Physiotherapists, Mensendiek-therapists, Osteopaths, Alexander-, Feldenkrais-, Spiraldynamik-, Pilates- or Gyrotonic instructors
• Experts in the area of medicine, psychology, pedagogy and education, nutrition, biology and biomechanics

Field of application

Graduates of the MAS/CAS in Dance Science are able to apply their knowledge in several ways:

• They are able to improve the training and health of students, professional and amateur dancers through evidenced-based programmes that are both age and population specific.
• They are able to collaborate in scientific research in the field of dance or sport science.
• They are able to teach Dance Science principles in vocational dance programmes (e.g., dance or dance pedagogy).
• They are able to advise directors of dance companies and schools/institutions on well-balanced and healthy training principles, as well as pedagogically responsible training for children, young adults and the elderly.
• They are able to advise the leaders of senior care facilities on the implementation of dance training for the elderly that can improve their quality of life.
• They are able to continue working professional as better-informed dancers, dance teachers or therapists.

Dates

16 ECTS points will be acquired within 12 months (February 2025 - February 2026). The CAS programme in Dance Science: Psychology & Education is compound of 150 contact hours and 330 hours of self-study (contact hours on weekends). The programme starts every other year in February of odd years (2025, 2027) and takes place in Berne, Switzerland.

Dates 2025/26

Weekend 1: 28 February - 2 March 2025

Weekend 2: 5 / 6 April 2025

Weekend 3: 9 - 11 May 2025

Weekend 4: 14 / 15 June 2025

Weekend 5: 12 / 13 July 2025

Weekend 6: 16 / 17 August 2025

Weekend 7:  11 / 12 October 2025

Weekend 8: 6 / 7 December 2025

Weekend 9: 10 / 11 January 2026

Weekend 10:  14 / 15 February 2026

Daten 2027/28

Weekend 1: 26 - 28 February 2027
Weekend 2: 10 / 11 April 2027
Weekend 3: 14 - 16 May 2027
Weekend 4: 19 / 20 June 2027
Weekend 5: 17 / 18 July 2027
Weekend 6: 21 / 22 August 2027
Weekend 7: 16 / 17 October 2027
Weekend 8: 11 / 12 December 2027
Weekend 9: 15 / 16 January 2028
Weekend 10: 19 / 20 February 2028

Module 1: Lifelong Dancing

6 days (4 ECTS points)

Many dancers start their training in childhood or adolescence. However, there is a growing number of dance students from other age groups whose psychological and educational needs are typically different from their younger counterpoints. The motivation and goals of seniors who participate in a dance training are different from those of children for example. Dance as a (cross-)training for different groups is illuminated from an educational perspective. The module covers the fundamentals and application fields of developmental psychology and of curricula writing for dance programmes.

Block 1 Learning and Teaching in dance I: children

2 days (1.5 ECTS points)

• Developmental psychology
• Communication
• Pedagogical characteristics
• Didactics and curriculum design

Block 2 Learning and Teaching in dance II: (older) adults

2 days (1.5 ECTS points)

• Communication
• Pedagogical characteristics
• Didactics and curriculum design

Block 3 Learning and Teaching in dance III: disabilities

2 days (1 ECTS point)

• Learning and teaching of people with diseases or disabilities
• Dance as a performance enhancer for sportsmen
• Didactics and curriculum design

Module 2: Balancing a Dancer’s Life

3 x 2 days (4 ECTS points)

In this module, participants critically deal with the motivation and personality of dancers and dance students. Key questions addressed are motivation to dance for different population groups and different age groups, as well as the role of the social environment in a dancer’s life. In addition, this module examines aspects of dance education and how these affect well-being, cognition and personality.

Block 1 Performance Psychology I

2 days (1.5 ECTS points)

• Theory of personality
• Influence of dance on personality

Block 2 Performance Psychology II 

2 days (1.5 ECTS points)

• Stage fright and coping with stress
• Dance as a special social environment

Block 3 Performance Psychology III

2 days (1 ECTS point)

• Motivation in and through dance
• Motives in dance

Module 3: Educating the Gifted Dancer

2 x 3 days (4 ECTS points)

This module is primarily concerned with the professional dancer. It deals with questions of how dance talents are identified and optimally fostered. The participants learn new scientific findings, reflect these critically and transfer certain aspects of these into their dance practice. Strategies on how to deal with talented dancers and stumbling blocks, that might emerge in the promotion of talents, will be discusses. The module also deals with aspects of life after the dance career on stage or after a vocational dance education.

Block 1 Applied Gifted Education

3 days (2 ECTS points)

• Talent identification
• Promotion of talent
• Over- and under-achievers
• Screening programmes

Block 2 Transition

3 days (2 ECTS points)

• Transition from a stage career to another career
• Transition from a vocational dance education to other education programmes or professions
• Assistance for people in transition
• Life after dance

Module 4: Embedded Research Skills

2 x 1 day (1 ECTS point)

Block 1 Ethics in research / Methods of survey techniques I

1 day (0.5 ECTS point)

• Ethics in research
• Design of questionnaire and interviews (individual/ focus groups)

Block 2 Methods of survey techniques II

1 day (0.5 ECTS point)

• Evaluation/Analysis of data

Assessment

The assessment of the Certificate of Advanced Studies in Dance Science: Psychology & Education contains the following elements:

• Presence at block appointments (minimal 90% in total)
• Written papers
• Oral presentation

The programme management decides based on above elements on the passing of the assessment and the issuing of the Certificate.

Organising Institution

Institute of Sport Science

Members of the programme management MAS/CAS Dance Science

• Dr. Derrick D. Brown, Victorian College of the Arts, Melbourne, Australia
• Dr. med Anja Hauschild, Medical School Hamburg, Germany
• Prof. Dr. Ernst-Joachim Hossner, Institut für Sportwissenschaft, Universität Bern (Vorsitz)
• Prof. Dr. med. Paul Krack, Inselspital, Universität Bern
• Prof. Dr. Fred Mast, Institut für Psychologie, Universität Bern
• Dr. Andrea Schärli, Institut für Sportwissenschaft, Universität Bern (Studienleitung)
• Prof. Dr. Mirko Schmidt, Institut für Sportwissenschaft, Universität Bern

Lecturers

• Dr. Imogen Aujla
• Oliver Dähler
• Clare Guss-West
• Dr. Jennie Hancox
• Dr. Patrick Kaltenrieder
• Dr. Sanna Nordin-Bates
• Dr. Emma Redding
• Prof. Dr. Mirko Schmidt
• Susanne Schneider
• Dr. Olivier Schmid
• Dr. Rolf van de Langenberg
• Prof. Dr. Claudio Nigg
• Prof. Dr. Paul Wylleman

Candidates must have a degree from a University, ‚Fachhochschule‘, vocational education or equivalent as well as having proof of appropriate experience in the field of dance or another movement related field. This requirement may be waived if the candidate displays exceptional experience in the dance field

The study fee for the CAS in Dance Science: Psychology & Education is CHF CHF 4'500.

The fee has to be paid before the start of the course with the bill delivered, i.e., until by the latest 30 January 2025. In exceptions, payment with maximal 3 instalments is possible.

Application for the CAS in Dance Science: Psychology & Education until 20 December 2024.