You Need To Complete Your Bachelors Degree First
Before you can enrol in a Masters degree program in massage therapy, you have to complete your Bachelors degree first.
Without a Bachelors degree in massage therapy, you will not be allowed to admit into a Masters program.
If a Masters degree is in your plans from the get-go.
Make sure you find an accredited organization where you can earn your four-year Bachelors degree in massage therapy.
This is a prerequisite which you simply cannot get around.
In all likelihood, you will have to enrol in a medical school to study for your Bachelors degree.
There are very few educational institutions in the USA where you can get a Bachelors degree in massage therapy.
How Much Does Massage Therapy School Cost
Tuition for massage school costs vary widely program to program, from $5,000 to up to $20,000, according to Lewis. More expensive programs may offer more depth and breadth, giving you a chance to learn a wider array of techniques over a longer period of time, while less expensive programs may focus on a narrower range of coursework.
Where the program is located can also be a factor in thecost. In addition, higher cost programs often offer financial aid.
Beyond the cost of tuition, you may need to pay for amassage table and purchasetextbooks and additional supplies.
For more information about the cost of massage therapy school, visit our page on tuition and financial aid.
Massage Therapy School Accreditation
Accreditation is another factor to keep in mind when evaluating a massage school. Accreditation is a voluntary review process that helps ensure that a school or program meets certain quality standards set by an outside agency.
One key benefit accreditation provides is eligibility forfederal financial aid, but some unaccredited schools keep their tuition lowenough so that the ability to take out student loans is less critical.
Although accreditation can be valuable, it doesnt alwaysguarantee that a massage therapy school offers the highest quality education,according to Lewis. In fact, many excellent massage schools have chosen not topursue accreditation.
Most types of accreditation arent specific to massage therapy education and cover a broad range of unrelated programs. However, one type of accreditation that has much more relevance for massage therapy is called the Commission on Massage Therapy Accreditation . This type of accreditation is the only specialized accreditor for massage.
As you research programs, accreditation is one metric to consider,but its also important to find out how long the massage program has been inexistence and what its graduate success rates are.
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Professional Massage Therapy Associations & Groups
Building a massage business depends on professionals making connections. One way massage therapists can make connections with their peers, as well as possible clients, is by joining professional associations. Below are some of the groups that can help massage therapists succeed throughout their career.
Physical Therapy Training And Practice
Physical therapy education reflects more of a medical model. Physical therapists have a higher education level which includes a far more in-depth study of body systems. While a Canadian physiotherapist roughly the counterpart of a U.S. physical therapist may earn a credential on the strength of a masters degree, the doctoral degree has become the U.S. standard.
A physical therapists scope of practice is greater than a massage therapists. The physical therapist may perform medical massage but will also do many things that are outside a massage therapists scope, for example, assessing the physical function of a person who has had a stroke or selecting assistive devices to help a patient with mobility issues. The massage therapist may make diagnoses, though the scope will be different than a medical doctor. The physical therapist may put together complex treatment plans.
In many cases, it wont actually be the physical therapist carrying out the more routine treatments it will be the physical therapy assistant, an individual who typically has a degree at the associates level.
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How To Become A Radiation Therapist
Cancer remains one of the leading causes of death worldwide, and radiation therapists are always in high demand to help treat cancer patients or provide relief. They also help with research methods and diagnosing patients.
Radiation therapy is diverse, including external methods and internal radiation methods. Internal methods include radiopharmaceuticals, systemic radiation, palliative radiation, and brachytherapy. Usually, radiation therapists work on an oncology team, and some of their responsibilities include informing patients about the nature and specific details about radiation.
Radiation therapists need a minimum of an associates degree, which you can obtain from an accredited university in under three years. However, bachelors degrees and graduate degrees are also available in radiation therapy disciplines.
You should pick a degree recognized by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists . Your coursework should include wide and varied topics such as human development, technical writing and English composition, math, chemistry, physics, anatomy and physiology, and nutrition.
During your university experience, it will be helpful to gain clinical hours. Your university may be able to help you with clinical work placement. Each state has varying experience requirements.
With your degree and your clinical experience, you can apply for a state license. For this license, you will typically need to pass the ARRT national exam.
Massage Therapist Specializations & Degree Types
Massage therapy programs offer degreesand certificates which can be earned at two-year colleges or privatetrade schools and institutions. Most educational and trainingprograms in massage therapy require anywhere from 500 to 1,000 hours of study and hands-on experience. Some programs offerinstruction in general massage techniques while others teachspecialty massage skills which enable professionals to use specifictypes of techniques to heal or treat certain ailments.
Specializations in massage therapyinclude:
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How To Become A Psychotherapist
Psychotherapists help people overcome problems in their lives, whether they are mental or interpersonal . For example, a psychotherapist might help someone figure out why they have so much stress or how to deal with an unhealthy relationship with a coworker. Therapy typically follows the format of weekly, hour-long sessions.
To become a psychotherapist, one should first earn a bachelors degree in psychology or a related field. From there, one can start earning their masters degree in psychotherapy. While earning their masters degree, one will start accruing relevant clinical experience necessary for licensing.
In the United Kingdom, for example, one needs a masters degree in psychotherapy and 450 hours of practice to be registered as a licensed psychotherapist by the United Kingdom Council for Psychotherapy .
In the US, the requirements to become a psychotherapist typically involve a pre-degree requirement of anywhere from 1000-1500 hours, and then another 1500 hours of supervised experience after obtaining your degree.
Typically, a candidate who has finished their supervised hours will get approval from the licensing board of their region to sit for a standardized clinical licensing exam before they are officially licensed to practice. They may practice in the interim before licensure with a conditional license usually containing the title associate or intern before their credentials.
For more information on psychotherapy certification, visit this website.
Best Overall: Us Career Institute
U.S. Career Institute
- Requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
- Duration: 625 hours
The U.S. Career Institute Massage Therapy School offers a fully 100% online study program, a rarity in the industry. It’s competitively priced and enables students to sit for the MBLEx or NCBTMB certification exam.
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Exam eligibility for both MBLEx and NCBTMB
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100% online
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Less teacher support and guidance
The U.S. Career Institute is one of the few fully online massage therapy certification programs. Students can upgrade to the academic and hands-on training program but will then need to complete 200 hours of training in Fort Collins, Colorado.
Hands-on training is not necessary in order to qualify for the Massage and Bodywork Licensing Examination or the National Certification Board in Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork , though.
This program offers courses in the history of bodywork, various bodywork approaches, ethics in a therapeutic setting, and anatomical terms. After these initial programs, students study organ systems and techniques, including Swedish massage, movement and support, Chinese medicine theory, and hydrotherapy techniques.
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Best On A Budget: Allied Health Career Institute
Allied Health Career Institute
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Lack of interactive online format
The Massage Therapy Certificate Program from Allied Health Career Institute is a 700-credit hour program offering self-paced learning. It prepares students for health and wellness careers, providing a good blend of online and in-classroom education in Arizona.
At a cost of $6,999, the Allied Health Career Institute program is affordable, especially since it prepares students to sit for the MBLEx certification program. It’s also beneficial to those on a budget because of flexible payment plans and financial aid potential, plus students can complete their education over time.
Allied Health Career Institutes comprehensive course includes topics such as kinesiology, anatomy, pathology, and musculoskeletal applications. Students receive practical skill training in trigger point therapy, Western massage, reflexology, and myofascial massage. There is also some business-focused content provided to help students develop good relationships with clients and build their practice.
Although the program is not comprehensive in covering all types of massage. it does offer a hands-on learning style that can help perfect the skills and techniques that are covered.
What To Look For In A Massage School
When considering a massage school, do your homework by looking at the schools website and reading any reviews. Find out if financial aid is available. Schools that offer financial aid are required to post exam pass rates for students and other information that might help you assess the quality of the program. Take the time to review this information.
Another great tip: Visit the school and take atour, Lewis suggests. When you see the environment for yourself,you can pick up on whether itll be a great fit for you. Learn what the studentsuccess stories are. See how happy the students look and what the buzz feelslike on campus. Get a sense for the curriculum and compare it to the directionyou want to go in. For example, if youre interested in prenatal massage, dothey even have a class on that?
Find out how long the massage program has been in existence and what its graduate success rates are.
When you look at the curriculum, see whether it gives you a taste for different types of massage. Learning about different specialties can help you figure out what you might like to focus on in the future, whether thats infant massage or reflexology.
If you need to take the MBLEx to become licensed in yourstate, find out if theres a prep course at the school, or if the schoolprovides study groups.
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What Qualifications Do You Need To Be A Therapist
While becoming a therapist isnt as demanding as becoming a doctor, you must still accomplish many requirements beforehand. You will need an appropriate degree and education in the field you wish to practice, experience with patients and clients, and usually a state license.
Of course, different fields of therapy also have various programs and requirements. Check the relevant section below to learn how to become a therapist in your preferred area.
Types Of Massage Therapy & Massage Therapists
Though there are many different specializations in the field of massage therapy, regulation of massage therapists is common in many states. Regulation or Licensure of Massage Therapists in these states often includes an education component as well as an examination and practical experience.
There are several areas for a massage therapist to focus their study and strengths on as well as several work setting options where massage therapists can apply said study and strengths.
Listed below are several types of massage therapists. Click on the massage therapist specialization of interest to you to learn more.
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Massage Therapists Are Different Than Other Massage Providers
“Massage therapist ” and “registered massage therapist ” are legally protected titles in provinces such as Ontario, BC, and Newfoundland and Labrador. That means, in those regions, you must meet certain requirements to use such a title.
The distinction is important because the qualifications for each are different. Spa masseuses or bodyworkers and are found in places like resorts and beauty spas, but they tend to provide “skin-deep” treatments aimed mostly at gentle relaxation.
In contrast, RMTs draw from a larger clinical skill set to carry out deeper therapies that can assist in treating real problems related to physical and mental well-being. They’ve been taught about human anatomy and physiology, various health conditions, hydrotherapy, and a range well-established massage techniques.
An RMT in Canada has typically earned a special two- or three-year diploma from one of the nation’s respected massage therapy schools. Ontario, like some other provinces, requires it. Then, after graduation, a couple of certification exams must be passed before you can apply for status as a bona fide massage therapist.
How To Become A Massage Therapist
The role of a massage therapist can vary widely depending on your specialty, but you will almost certainly be working closely with clients to understand their medical histories and symptoms using your fingers, hands, and arms to manipulate the bodys muscles and soft tissue and offering guidance to patients relating to posture, gait, sleep, strength, and relaxation. Your salary as a massage therapist may vary depending on where you live and the type of specialty massage work you do. A significant factor for massage therapists who work for themselves are the hours you choose to work. If youre charging by the hour, your salary will obviously vary based on the number of clients you see.
Each state has its own professional guidelines for massage therapy practitioners. Before you pursue a program, find out whats required by the state in which you want to practice, and make sure you meet the prerequisites for the program.
You dont need a two- or four-year degree to become a massage therapist. Most massage therapy programs award a diploma or certificate after 500 to 1,000 hours of training.
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Starting Your Massage Career
Discover what you need to know about starting a career in massage therapy.
One of the most frequent comments massage therapists make about their occupation is, “I feel fortunate to have found work I love.” They feel this way because a career in massage therapy allows them to help people in a meaningful way with a high degree of personal contact.
Is Massage Therapy A Viable Career Option
High demand for massage therapists, excellent income potential, flexible hours, a variety of potential work settings, opportunities for growth, rewarding work, training is fast and affordable, and it can be a fun and low-stress career is just a few of the reasons why massage therapy is a promising career.
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What Is The Difference Between Physical Therapy Occupational Therapy And Massage Therapy
The healthcare field is exploding with opportunities these days. Not only are traditional positions like doctors and nurses in high demand, but there are also tons of new and emerging career fields all focused on wellness.
Some of the most exciting fields in the healthcare sector involve therapeutic healing. People who have undergone surgery, who have a disability, or who have any other sort of injury or condition all rely on therapy as a secondary means of treatment. Various therapists provide secondary support to professional medical providers, helping bridge the gap between initial treatment and full healing.
Within these therapy career fields, there can be some confusion, though. Namely: many people want to know the difference between physical therapy and occupational therapy. They may also want to know where massage therapy lies on the spectrum of alternative treatment. The answers to these questions can help them decide whether to go to massage therapy school, a physical therapy aide training program, or another type of trade program to pursue their interests.
While all three fields offer important services to individuals who need healing and therapeutic support, the choice between them can differ a lot. The qualifications of a certified massage therapist, for instance, will be slightly different than someone who wants to become a physical therapists aide.
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What Is The Average Salary Of A Massage Therapist
Massage therapists working in spas and other health and wellness establishments earn an average monthly base salary of P10,000. Self-employed Massage Therapists who are highly experienced and have a large client base, on the other hand, have higher earnings because they can charge higher fees from their clients.
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What Degree Do You Need To Be A Massage Therapist
A massage therapist treats clients by manipulating the bodys soft-tissue muscles with touch and pressure. Massage therapists use their touch to relieve pain, rehabilitate injuries, reduce stress, increase relaxation, and aid their clients overall wellness.
Best For Specializations: The Professional Massage Academy
The Professional Massage Academy
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Based in Minnesota, with online components
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Some may need more training for state exams
The Professional Massage Academy offers an online massage therapy program with flexible online classes and some in-person learning. Those in Minnesota can sit for their state licensing exam after course completion. Some taking the program out-of-state may need more hands-on training locally to meet their state requirements.
It’s possible to take specialized massage therapy programs for one or two areas of focus in other courses and programs. Students have access to some specialization options included the program such as sports massage, advanced massage techniques, and specialized massage areas such as reflexology, medical massage, and deep tissue massage. This is taught through demonstration and practical application. Students also learn core topics such as kinesiology, medical terminology, and anatomy.
The Professional Massage Academy also offers personalization and flexibility by providing three learning plans with 15, 29, or 40 hours per week of study, allowing students to complete their education in as little as 15 weeks. At a cost of $7,500 and requiring 600 hours of completion, this program is a moderate choice across the board. There is also a $150 fee for online access to the program.
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