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.
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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Becoming A Massage Therapist Changed My Life
I have been thinking about starting my education to become a massage therapist but I couldnt justify taking all the time off from work and away from my kids. A hybrid program allowed me to start the process with less money and time committed. I honestly dont know when I would have been able to start on this new career path without that program.
Anne
Student, Phoenix, AZ
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Benefits Of Becoming A Massage Therapist
When you choose to pursue a career in massage therapy, youll be entering a field that is both rewarding and in demand. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates there will be a job growth of 22% for massage therapists by 2028. With tens of thousands of new jobs expected to become available in the coming years, there is plenty of opportunity for people entering this field.
Within allied health professions, massage therapists have among the most interactions with patients and clients. Another distinctive feature of massage therapy is the variety of specialties that a therapist can choose to focus on in their career, such as sports massage and deep tissue massage.
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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Welcome To Allied Health Career Institute
Allied Health Career Institute offers innovative curriculum in the area of health and wellness. Our delivery allows more students the comfort and flexibility to complete their training, and allows us to partner with communities and employers to narrow the skills gap in our field.
Our school prides itself in offering a dynamic learning experience with regards to practicing and teaching the therapeutic arts and sciences from the most popular traditional and contemporary modalities in the market. We offer an experienced staff, whose commitment and pursuit to study the healing arts of the world is ongoing.
I have been thinking about starting my education to become a massage therapist but I couldnt justify taking all the time off from work and away from my kids. This program allows me to start the process with less money and time committed. I honestly dont know when I would have been able to start on this new career path without this program.
Anne
Student
AHCI provides students with flexible and cost-effective programs that can launch a new career and direction in their lives. We pride ourselves in specializing in high-demand sectors and connecting our graduates with career opportunities upon completion. Download the application and start the process or speak to one of our student counselors today.
What Is Allied Health
The Association of Schools of Allied Health Professions defines allied health professionals as those who are involved with the delivery of health or related services pertaining to the identification, evaluation and prevention of diseases and disorders dietary and nutrition services rehabilitation and health systems management, among others.
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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 Do Massage Therapists Do
Through physical touch using specialtechniques, massage therapists manipulate muscles and soft tissues topromote healing, relieve pain, improve circulation, and promoterelaxation in their clients.
A list of typical responsibilities for amassage therapist includes the following:
- Doing verbal and written intakes withclients to learn more about their discomfort, medical history, anddesired objectives for massage therapy
- Complete physical evaluations to locatediscomfort and tension in clients bodies
- Manipulate muscles and soft tissues
- Communicate with clients regarding theirpreferences for increased or decreased pressure
- Provide follow up recommendations forhydration, relaxation, physical therapy, and other related healingmodalities
- Document progress
- Make appointments
Massage therapists work wherever physicalhealing happens. Many massage therapists are self-employed, but somework as employees in fitness centers, hospitals, clinics, day spas,hotel resort spas, cruise ships, and athletic teams. Some massagetherapists work from home or travel to their clients homes toprovide treatment.
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How To Choose The Best Online Massage Therapy Certification Programs
To select the best online massage therapy certification program, consider location, the type of education desired, and the format of the program. Some key factors to think about include:
- Learning method: Is the program fully online? That’s difficult to find, but many programs offer hybrid options enabling students to learn at least some at home.
- Type of content: What does the program teach? Some programs provide a comprehensive overview of massage therapy including technique application along with business skills, communication skills, and first aid mastery.
- Certification access and prep: Is certification a part of the program? Most often, programs teach material necessary to sit for and pass a state or national certification program, though not all do.
Best Live Program: Whatcom Community College
Whatcom Community College
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Requires commitment of 20 hours per week
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Not as comprehensive as other programs
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May require previous college experience
The massage therapist program at Whatcom Community College in Washington enables students with previous college experience to enroll in a 20-hour a week live-session educational program. Students wishing to obtain an associate degree will need to meet with a counselor to ensure they meet prerequisite educational requirements.
This hybrid program requires students to meet at specific times each week to engage in live training. The massage program starts each fall and runs for three quarters, allowing students to complete their education in under a year.
Through the Whatcom Community College program, students learn massage modalities and therapies along with anatomy, kinesiology, and pathology. They also learn safety, ethical, and legal applications to massage therapy as well as client communication skills. The program meets all guidelines set by the Washington State Board of Massage. At a cost of $9,540, its ideal for those who wish to switch career paths into massage therapy with some completed college credits.
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How To Become A Massage Therapy Instructor
If youre interested in becoming a Massage Therapy Instructor, one of the first things to consider is how much education you need. Weve determined that 33.9% of Massage Therapy Instructors have a bachelors degree. In terms of higher education levels, we found that 8.0% of Massage Therapy Instructors have masters degrees. Even though some Massage Therapy Instructors have a college degree, its possible to become one with only a high school degree or GED.
Choosing the right major is always an important step when researching how to become a Massage Therapy Instructor. When we researched the most common majors for a Massage Therapy Instructor, we found that they most commonly earn Bachelors Degree degrees or Associate Degree degrees. Other degrees that we often see on Massage Therapy Instructor resumes include Diploma degrees or Masters Degree degrees.
You may find that experience in other jobs will help you become a Massage Therapy Instructor. In fact, many Massage Therapy Instructor jobs require experience in a role such as Massage Therapist. Meanwhile, many Massage Therapy Instructors also have previous career experience in roles such as Respiratory Therapist or Instructor.
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What Questions Should I Ask About Online Courses
If you are considering an online course or program, itsimportant to realize that not all online education is created equal. Yourexperience could vary widely depending on how the school sets up their classes.
Tuition is generally about the same as traditional classroom education, but interaction with your instructors and classmates, and delivery of your education, will be quite different. Before you sign up for a program, find out a few key pieces of information:
Take the time to understand how the course works in practice and what outcomes you can realistically expect to achieve, so you can better set yourself up for long-term success.
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Two: Earn Acertificate Or Degree In Massage Therapy
Complete a degree from an accreditedschool or educational program featuring didactic coursework andpractical experience. These programs are ideally accredited by theCommission on Massage Therapy Accreditation , but a studentsinstitution of choice should at least be approved by a regional bodyrecognized by the Commission on Higher Education Accreditation, which is part of the U.S. Department of Education.
Contact Allied Health Career Institute
Are you ready to change career paths and begin working toward your new profession in massage therapy? If so, then its time to get in touch with Allied Health Career Institute. We offer the resources you need to thrive in your new career. We also work to put our programs within your reach. If youve been wondering what you need in order to switch to a more fulfilling career, then its time to check out our programs.
In a world where a massage therapists skills are more in demand than ever, our programs help to ensure that the students of today will be the skilled practitioners of tomorrow. If you would like to learn more about how to enroll in massage therapy school online, then its time to schedule an appointment with one of our counselors. To learn more about our programs, you can call us today at 255-4334 or contact usthrough our website.
These spas and clinics are actively looking for massage therapists to hire. Once you complete the program and get licensed, you will have a job opportunity waiting for you!
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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. Theyve 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 nations 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.
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.
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Summary Of Survey Results For Massage Educators
The survey of massage educators was sent to email distribution lists of the AFMTE and the schools and educators newsletter for the Association of Bodywork and Massage Professionals , reaching a total of 4,938 possible respondents over a three-week period in February 2013. A follow-up reminder was sent two weeks after the initial email. The survey was also sent to the member schools of the American Massage Therapy Association however, only one respondent from that organization completed the survey. From the AFMTE weblink, 198 massage educators responded, and 239 from the ABMP weblink, for a total of 438 respondents, a 9% rate of return, which is not unusual for an online survey distributed using this method.
Demographic data showed that the majority of respondents were female, 28% were male, and 2% preferred not to answer. The average age was 51, and the average number of years of experience as a practitioner was 17, with an average of 11 years of experience as an educator. The majority were white/ Caucasian , followed by mixed , Latino- Hispanic , Asian , and African-American . Five percent of respondents preferred not to answer this question. These results are summarized in Table 3. Respondents were evenly distributed geographically across the US, with no Canadians, and 1% of respondents reported living outside the US or Canada.
The Iaim Training Program Includes:
- 4 days intensive training with our highly experienced IAIM certified trainers
- practical teaching experience during the training
- preparation and ongoing support for a take-home written exam and practicum
- a comprehensive instructors manual
- the book Infant Massage: A Handbook for Loving Parents by IAIM founder Vimala McClure
- a compendium of research and resources related to infant massage
- first years membership to the IAIM Canada Chapter providing access to a supportive network, as well as knowledge and materials for your work
- ongoing support from the trainers and course coordinators after your qualification
- refreshments and snacks during the training session
If you would like to sign up or find out more about training to become a Certified Infant Massage Instructor, please contact us. To view a list of upcoming IAIM Infant Massage Instructor Training sessions, please .
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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 Therapy Job Growth
The future is very bright for Massage Therapist job growth. According to BLS, they predict employment to grow 22% from now through 2028.
This is a much faster than average growth occupation in the Allied Health industry in terms of jobs. The BLS predicts 35,400 Massage Therapist jobs will be added in the next several years.
The need for Massage Therapists is in every state but some areas have more need and are willing to pay more to start. California, Florida, Texas, Colorado and Illinois are the top five states with the most jobs needs according to BLS.
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