Massage Therapy College Programs

Looking for a massage therapy college? Massage therapy careers are exciting and flexible but you have to first get massage therapy certification before you can get your license to practice.

Massage Therapy degree programs and massage therapy certificate programs teach students how to apply muscle therapy techniques to patients so as to facilitate relaxation, reduce stress and eliminate muscle tension. Aa you prepare to become a massage therapist, research your education options and be sure the school or institute you attend is fully accredited. You help your client relax, reduce stress and relieve pain through specialization in different types of massage. If you enjoy working with others, have strong hands and are self-motivated you may consider this career option. There are many type of massage techniques and most massage therapists specialize in various areas for example relaxation therapy. Techniques include Swedish massage, deep tissue and sports massage. Students also take courses in human anatomy, kinesiology, and movement. Physical therapist assistants work with physical therapists to provide rehabilitative services to clients.

Selected Massage Therapy College Programs

The National Academy of Massage Therapy and Healing Sciences

• Clinical Massage Therapy

National Massage Therapy Institute (NMTI)

• Massage Therapy

Allied College

• Massage Therapy

American Career Institute

• Massage Therapist

American Institute School of Wellness and Beauty

• Massage Therapy

Anthem College

• Massage Therapy

Anthem Institute

• Massage Therapy

Antonelli College

• Massage Therapy

Apollo College

• Massage Therapy

ATI Career Training Center

• Professional Massage Therapy

Berks Technical Institute

• Professional Massage Therapist
  

Blue Cliff College

• Massage Therapy

Branford Hall Career Institute

• Massage Therapy

Brown Mackie College

• Health and Therapeutic Massage

Career Technical College

• Massage Therapy

Concorde Career College

• Massage Therapy

Concorde Career Institute

• Massage Therapy

Daymar College

• Massage Therapy

Everest College

• Massage Therapy
• Massage Therapy (Modular)
• Massage Therapy (Spa Specialist)
• Massage Therapy - Sports Specialist
• Professional Licensing - Aroma therapy and Spa Specialist

Everest Institute

• Massage Therapy
• Massage Therapy (Modular)
• Massage Therapy - Spa Specialist

Everest University

• Massage Therapy

Florida Career College

• Diploma - Massage Therapist
• Diploma - Professional Therapeutic Massage

Globe University

• Massage Therapy

Harris School of Business

• Massage Therapy

Hesser College

• Massage Therapy

High-Tech Institute

• Massage Therapy

Institute of Business and Medical Careers

• Therapeutic Massage

IntelliTec College

• Massage Therapist

Kaplan College

• Clinical Massage Therapy
• Massage Therapy
• Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork

Kaplan University

• Massage Therapy

Keiser Career College

• Massage Therapy

Keiser University

• Massage Therapy

Lincoln College of Technology

• Massage Therapy

Lincoln Technical Institute

• Massage Therapy

McCann School of Business and Technology

• Professional Massage Therapy

Medical Careers Institute

• Massage Therapy

Miami-Jacobs Career College

• Massage Therapy

Miller-Motte College

• Massage Therapy
• Therapeutic Massage

Minnesota School of Business

• Massage Therapy

National American University Campuses

• Therapeutic Massage, A.A.S.
• Therapeutic Massage, Diploma

National Holistic Institute (NHI)

• Massage Therapist and Health Educator

Northwestern College

• Massage Therapy Certificate

Pinnacle Career Institute

• Massage Therapy

Pittsburgh Technical Institute

• Therapeutic Massage Practitioner

Ridley-Lowell Business & Technical Institute

• Massage Therapy

Salter College

• Massage Therapy

San Joaquin Valley College

• Therapeutic Massage

South Texas Vocational Technical Institute

• Professional Massage Therapy

Southwest Florida College

• Massage Therapy

Southwestern College

• Massage Therapy

Spencerian College

• Massage Therapy Diploma

Swedish Institute College of Health Sciences

• Massage Therapy

The Bryman School of Arizona

• Massage Therapy

The National Massage Therapy Institute (NMTI)

• Massage Therapy

UEI College

• Massage Therapy

Utah Career College

• Massage Therapy

Virginia College

• Therapeutic Massage (12-month)
  

Western Career College

• Massage Therapy

YTI Career Institute

• Massage Therapy Practitioner
  

Massage Therapy College Programs in Canada (Diploma Programs)

Reeves College

• Acupuncture (ACU)

CDI College of Business, Technology and Health Care

• Advanced Massage Therapy (AMT)
• Massage Therapy (MT)

Vancouver Career College

• Spa Therapy (SPA)

Locate Colleges with Massage Therapy Programs in your area

Massage Therapy Education and Training

Most states require massage therapists to be licensed, complete a formal massage therapy education and pass a state or national certification exam. Some states also require massage therapists to enroll in continuing education classes throughout their careers to maintain their certification, even after successfully graduating from accredited massage therapy college programs. So be sure to check your state requirements. There are many accredited massage therapy schools to choose from so pick a massage therapy college that is close to you and one that is well respected.You will generally take classes to human anatomy and physiology, detecting pressure points, and determining if clients need to see a physician if they are in pain. The curriculum also focuses on kinesiology, professional ethics, hydrotherapy, and pharmacology.

Massage Therapy Careers

Massage therapy is used to relieve pain, reduce stress, lower anxiety, rejuvenate and avoid fatigue. It is also used in other areas such as prenatal or pregnancy massage, geriatric care, sports massage, chiropractic therapy, physical therapy, hospice massage, infant massage, and pre and post operative therapeutic massage. By attending a good massage therapy college, you can work in hospitals, geriatric care, chiropractic clinics and nursing facilities, spas, resorts, hotels, cruise ships, gyms, salons, and health clubs.

Expected Salary and Projected Career Growth

Many massage therapists work on an hourly wage earning about $15.50 according to the U.S. Department of Labor. Many massage therapists also earn tips. There are many job openings and salaries range from $41,000 to about $58,000 a year. Most massage therapists are self-employed, and many report that they work 15-30 hours a week, thus providing them with flexibility. Many massage therapists work either independently or part-time, or a combination of the two. Since the work can be physically demanding, massage therapists may choose to separate their appointments. Massage therapy can be reasonably billed out at $25 to $100 per hour, and a massage therapist’s salary can be substantially supplemented by cash gratuities and tips.

Employment opportunities in massage therapy careers are expected to increase faster than average through 2014, as more and more people begin to appreciate the benefits of massage. The U.S. Department of Labor projects growth to increase between 18-26%, based on the rising interest in alternative medicine and growth in health education and preventative health care. Massage therapy college programs will prepare you in this area.