What To Look For In A Massage Therapy Program: 12 Questions You Need To Ask
To become a massage therapist, youll first need to attain the necessary credentials from a massage therapy program. But which program should you choose? In the following, well help you answer that question by exploring what to look for in a massage therapy program.
The demand for massage therapists is intense. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates a whopping 32% job growth rate over the next decade, more than four times the average growth rate for all occupations.
One likely reason is massage therapys expanding role in healthcare. In fact, students interested in a healthcare career as a massage therapist should be especially mindful of the program they select. Lets dive into what you should be asking as you consider massage therapy programs.
Does The Program Prepare You For The Business Administration Side Of Massage Therapy
Using practical business skills can be an important part of a massage therapists daily routine. As you look at programs, you may want to investigate what opportunities youll have to learn, for instance, how to establish and maintain your own massage therapy practice.
At NWHSU, the practice management courses offered do more than address general business topics like accounting, marketing, and insurance reimbursement they involve exploring these and related areas within the specific context of a massage therapy practice.
On a related note, whether youre self-employed or work for someone else, knowing how to navigate an electronic health records system will be a valuable skill to have.
NWHSU massage therapy students work with an EHR system during their experience practicing at on-campus clinics. This is actually quite rare among massage therapy programs.
Watch former student Jason Erickson explain his experience at NWHSU and how it inspired him to open a clinic of his own.
Massage Therapyfull Time Program
At New Mexico School of Massage, we want you to experience the entirety of the massage experience! Through our rigorous classes and programs, experiential learning in our massage clinic, and community-oriented campus, we promise to create a learning environment which fosters your professional and personal growth.
Our in-person programs in Albuquerque, New Mexico, are here to support you, whether your goal is becoming a Licensed Massage Therapist professionally, continuing your education as a therapist, or simply continuing your personal journey of self-inquiry and healing. Our sincerest wish for you is that you remain inspired along this healing path no matter where you are in your journey!
Our next program starts January 09, 2023Class meets Monday to Friday from 8:00 to 5:00
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Business Beat: Daily Donut Opens In Spring Hill
Daily Donuts on Tuesday September 27, 2022
- Michael Cavazos
Classroom for a new massage school Thursday, September 29, 2022, at Copper Tree Retreat Massage and Med Spa.
- Les Hassell Les Hassell/News-Journal Photo
Hailey Davis talks about one of the classrooms at Copper Tree while giving a tour of its new massage school Thursday.
- Les Hassell Les Hassell/News-Journal Photo
Lounge area for students at the new massage school Thursday, September 29, 2022, at Copper Tree Retreat Massage and Med Spa.
- Les Hassell Les Hassell/News-Journal Photo
Daily Donut opened in September at 4405 Gilmer Road, in the Spring Hill area.
The restaurant is open 5 a.m.-8 p.m. daily, in a space attached to Panther Quick Stop. The restaurant also serves fried chicken, pho or rice noodle soup in different flavors, spring rolls and egg rolls, and sides such as fries, coleslaw, mashed potatoes, macaroni and cheese and fried okra.
A variety of donuts, including cake donuts and sweet treats such as fried Oreos and fried apple pie round out the menu.
LEDCO office in budget
Wayne Mansfield
Construction of a new office for the Longview Economic Development Corp. is proceeding on budget and without delays.
LEDCO President and CEO Wayne Mansfield told his organizations board of directors on Thursday that construction is moving along pretty quickly. Selection of carpet and other interior design elements will start next week, he said.
Massage therapy school
Now, the business is expanding again.
Whats The School Like In Terms Of Its Facilities And Location
While youre researching massage therapy programs, you should also consider the school or university itself. Whats it like? Where is it located? What does it offer to help on your path to becoming a massage therapist?
To help understand what a school can offer, here are some highlights of NWHSU:
The educational facilities. Although class sizes are relatively small, NWHSU is a large facility with on-campus clinics, technology-enhanced classrooms, and an extensive research library.
We are also the only massage therapy school in the region with a cadaver lab, where massage therapy students can learn anatomy through direct observation. This can be tremendously helpful in understanding the complexities of the body and in becoming a deeply knowledgeable massage therapist.
Students also have the advantage of practicing skills with a broad mix of patients at on-campus clinics.
The campus itself. The NWHSU campus comprises 25 scenic acres. Here students can enjoy the natural surroundings outside and also take advantage of the many campus facilities we have for studying, socializing, or a little of both.
The overall location. NWHSU is located in Bloomington, a suburb of Minneapolis, Minnesota, and part of the Twin Cities Metro Area, a region that consistently ranks in the top ten most livable cities in the U.S.
Students can enjoy restaurants, culture, hundreds of miles of biking and walking trails, plus a full city experience in a place that still maintains a community feel.
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Who Teaches The Courses
As you explore massage therapy programs, try to gain a solid understanding of the faculty who could be teaching you. In fact, make the effortif possibleto get to know your potential instructors before you commit to a program.
Note that its not uncommon for massage therapy programs to have only one or two faculty members who teach the majority of courses. That can make it more challenging to access instructors.
Ideally, you want experienced, well-qualified faculty who are available to answer your questions and provide one-on-one support if you need it. At NWHSU, for example, our faculty make it a point to be accessible to students and are dedicated to helping them succeed.
See massage therapist Jennifer Cardinal describe the faculty support she received while a massage therapy student at NWHSU.
Additional highlights of the NWHSU massage therapy faculty include:
Significant professional experience. Massage therapy faculty at NWHSU include professionals who work at private practices, chiropractic offices, hospitals, spas, and wellness centers. They share valuable practical insights from their experience, helping to give students more than just a theoretical understanding of massage therapy.
Knowledgeable instructors who teach in their speciality areas. Instructors at NWHSU teach in the areas they specialize in, which often isnt the case with smaller programs where one or two instructors teach most or all the courses.
How Can I Learn More About The School
Youre investing in your future when you enroll in a massage therapy program. So, its well worth your time to seize the opportunities you have to better understand the program youre considering.
Does it provide convenient ways for you to do that?
NWHSU puts on multiple admissions events a year for prospective students, in addition to virtual events.
You can also schedule a campus tour, in person or virtually, and set up phone call appointments to talk to an admission counselor and a current student.
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What Student Services Are Offered
Keep in mind that being a student involves more than completing assignments and attending classes. Make sure to explore how a given school or university can help you make the most of your student experience. What opportunities are there to get involved more deeply with the student community? What kind of student services does the school youre looking at offer?
At NWHSU, for example, the Office of Student Affairs offers a wide range of programs and services that not only enhance your student experience but also help you prepare for your career. Here are highlights:
Student clubs and organizations. NWHSU has over 50 clubs and organizations available that cover a wide range of interests and give you a chance to pursue topics beyond those taught in class.
Student Senate. By participating in the Student Senate, students can help determine how they experience life at NWHSU. They also serve as a liaison between the student body and the larger community, helping to plan student and community events.
Career Services. Students can receive one-on-one career counseling check out career fairs attend workshops to prepare for job interviews and search for job opportunities more efficiently with the members-only job platform Handshake.
Counseling Center. Students have access to no-cost mental health counseling, both on campus and online.
These are in addition to Academic Support services such as tutoring, which is available at no cost to all students.
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How Many Massage Modalities Will You Learn About
Massage therapy includes numerous modalities, or specialized massage techniques. One of the best ways to become an effective massage therapist is to become proficient with a number of them.
How do you learn a variety of modalities? Ideally, it should start with your massage therapy program. Though no single program can cover them all, youll benefit from one that exposes you to an array of massage techniques.
NWHSU, for example, offers a wide range of elective courses that give you the opportunity to learn aboutand practicevarious modalities. Examples include:
- Craniosacral therapy
- Energy medicine
Also, the more opportunities you have to experiment with different modalities, the more informed youll be to create the kind of career path thats right for you.
What Should Your Next Step Be
Youve just gotten a lot of helpful insights on what to look for in a massage therapy program. This is the perfect time to take the next step toward becoming a massage therapista profession with a bright future and vast career possibilities.
Contact NWHSU today to learn more about our massage therapy programs.
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Signs A School May Be Right For You
Once you are clear on your own motivation for attending massage school, its time to start researching schools to determine whether they will be a good fit.
Watchfor these signs that a massage school could be a great match for you.
1. Testimonialsfrom Real Graduates
Personal recommendations can hold their weight in gold.
A good way to find out about reputable schools in your area is to go to local massage establishments and speak to massage therapists and ask for their advice. In a personal one-on-one conversation, ask them, If you were to do it all over again, where would you go to school? Bistas says.
The information you get can help point you in the rightdirection, or steer you away from less-than-ideal situations.
2. StudentOutcomes
Massage schools are required by law to disclose data online that could help you assess how successful their programs are at preparing students for the workforce. Be sure to read their websites and look for information about how many students pass the massage licensing exam. In addition, find out how many graduates get jobs as massage therapists and their average starting pay.
3. Accreditation
Another way to gauge a schools reputation is to checkwhether it is accredited.
If a school is not accredited, check to see if it isapproved by a board of education in your area. At minimum, you should find outif the school enables students to fulfill the criteria needed in order tobecome licensed as a massage therapist in your state.
School Of Massage Therapy
The New York College of Health Professions Massage Therapy program is offered as an advanced 72 credit Associate in Occupational Studies degree program. Graduates of this program are eligible to sit for the New York State licensing exam, as well as to sit for the Massage Board Licensing Examination .
New York College of Health Professions Massage Therapy Program offers many currently practiced modalities of massage therapy in addition to its core curriculum of European Swedish massage therapy, which is based on standard Western anatomy and physiology, and Asian Bodywork, which is based on the principles of oriental medicine.
The therapeutic benefits of massage and bodywork therapy have become widely recognized. Documentation on the effects of massage show that it improves circulation, can help heal sports injuries, alleviate stress, headaches and other aches and pains. When practiced in a full continuum of holistic health care, massage also can be used to help arthritis, hypertension, diabetes, asthma, bronchitis and neuromuscular diseases, among others.
Educational Objectives
In support of the colleges mission, the undergraduate degree programs of the School of Massage Therapy have the following educational objectives:
MT Program Course of Study
Tuition and Financial Aid
Clinical Education
Faculty
Licensing & National Certification
New York State Massage Regulations
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How This Vancouverite Successfully Launched A Career In Wellness
In the wake of the pandemic, life seemingly changed overnight work-life proving to be no exception. According to a recent survey, the pandemic has caused roughly 24% of Canadians to reconsider their job or career path.
In their renewed search to find vocations that are in demand, many British Columbians have been broadening their options and looking to industries and professions that are thriving. As many consider a career change, the field of registered massage therapy is being recognized for its flexibility and entrepreneurial flair.
For local registered massage therapist , educator, business owner, and public speaker, Taylor Oomen-Aller, jumpstarting her wellness career was a matter of combining the things she cares about. I used to struggle with keeping my different passions separate, she tells us.
Oomen-Aller describes the process of combining her various interests into one career as a lightbulb moment it was a natural transition. Now, on any given day, you can find her juggling her clients in the Lower Mainland, snuggling her rescue dog, volunteering at a local non-profit, and enjoying the great outdoors of the Pacific Northwest with her little family.
She credits a large part of her success in achieving her big heart dreams towards the years of learning and adventure that transpired during her time at West Coast College of Massage Therapy. The days were long and the years were short it was truly a pivotal experience for me, says Oomen-Aller.
What Kinds Of Clinical Experiences Does The Program Offer
People are often drawn to massage therapy because they want to feel like theyre making a difference in the lives of their clients. For some, helping others feel more relaxed through massage therapy is enough.
But many want to have the training and credentials that will enable them to do more, like, for example, help heal injuries, alleviate pain, and improve muscle function.
If that sounds like you, be sure to familiarize yourself with what a given program offers to help prepare you to be an effective clinical massage therapist. More specifically, find out what kinds of real-life clinical experiences youll have as a student.
Why is it so important to have a variety of clinical experiences? Consider the following reasons:
Youre exposed to different environments.
Massage therapy is now commonly administered in a multitude of settings. Here are some examples:
- Your own private practice
- Sports team facilities
How ready youll be to practice in healthcare settings, in particular, will depend heavily on the diversity of your clinical experiences as a student.
Also, by actually practicing in a variety of places, youll have a better idea of the kind of environment you may want to work in once you enter the workforce.
NWHSU offers massage therapy students valuable experience in many different clinical settings. Here are some specific examples:
Other examples of possible clinical experience include working with patients at:
Youre exposed to different healthcare disciplines.
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Health And Non Academic Requirements
Independent physical mobility and personal mental health are essential to the Massage Therapy profession.
Non Academic Requirements
Your program has mandatory requirements which may include a criminal reference check, first aid, CPR-C, etc. For more information, please see the Non Academic Requirements page.
Failure to provide any of the required Non Academic Field Requirements by the specified due date will result in an inability to participate in the mandatory placement components of the program.
How Much Will The Program Cost
This question should encompass not only tuition, fees, and supplies but also all the other expenses that will be involved in attending. For example, how will you get to school? And what will the expenses be related to that travel?
You should also be aware of possible hidden expenses in some massage programs. A massage therapy program should be as transparent as possible as it clearly lays out just how much it will cost to attend.
Make sure you incorporate financial concerns into your search early on. The best place to start is with a schools financial aid specialists. Be sure to also research both school-sponsored scholarships and external scholarships.
Special note on the cost of a program
Heres an important caveat as you research massage therapy schools: Dont simply look for the lowest cost.
Remember that the value you gain from attending a given program will depend a lot on how well it prepares you to be a successful professional. Thats exactly why its critical to investigate factors like those covered in Nos. 110 above.
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