A career as a massage therapist can be highly rewarding because not only will you have the satisfaction of helping others, you can also choose to work in several unique environments. These options may include medical facilities, spas, hotels and even cruise ships.
Massage therapy school programs are designed help you learn the required skills of the trade and how to prepare for the physical stamina and needs of the job, and there are several different types of programs to choose from. Understanding what to expect and what to look for can help you choose a program that fits your timeline, finances and long-term career goals.
The good news is, you can find numerous online, hybrid and traditional massage therapy programs available in many different durations.
Amanda Grimm, a sports and remedial massage therapist and physical therapist at Knead Massage, holds a bachelor’s degree in sports science. Grimm explained that most massage therapy courses combine classroom theory with hands-on practice. “My first tip for aspiring massage therapists would be to avoid courses that strictly don’t involve any in-person interaction.”
“Massage is an inherently physical practice, and although there are online-only options to get qualified, it’s really important to practice the techniques in-person and under direct guidance.”
Longer programs will usually cover more modalities and better prepare you for licensing exams and job readiness.
Grimm believes that the best programs range from 500 to 1,000 hours, and they take about six months to two years to complete. “It’s certainly possible to find courses that are shorter, but longer programs will usually cover more modalities and better prepare you for licensing exams and job readiness,” she explained. While longer programs offer a more comprehensive education, shorter programs are available, too. Some programs can be completed in four-to-six months, but these programs tend to focus on fewer massage modalities and may not provide as much of an in-depth education or licensure preparation as longer programs.
Program length, pace and the challenges in massage therapy programs
Like any educational program, massage therapy school can be challenging, and the length and pace of the program you Choose may impact those challenges. Students must learn academic and technical skills, and depending on the program’s pace, you may need to learn a large amount of information in a short amount of time. It can be helpful to create study groups with other students, so you can support each other and answer each others’ questions.
Be sure to regularly ask your instructors for feedback and create a schedule so that you have plenty of time to complete your coursework and to study. If you feel like a full-time pace is overwhelming and you aren’t fully comprehending the material, you may need to explore whether a part-time study option is available.
The art of massage therapy can be physically demanding, too. A quality program will include a focus on how to develop strength and maintain stamina. Your program should heavily focus on proper body ergonomics, which can help reduce your fatigue and protect you from injury while you work. It can be helpful to develop a stretching routine to keep your body in good shape while you’re in school and after you begin your career. You may find a part-time program is physically less demanding, since you’ll spend less time each week actually practicing massage. However, a full-time program can give you a better sense of the physical demands that come with a full-time job as a massage therapist.
Time management is another common challenge to massage therapy school programs. This is particularly true if you’re balancing your education with other obligations, such as working or caring for family. It’s important to learn time management skills, including how to efficiently use your time, and how to concentrate on your coursework despite conflicting priorities. Using a digital calendar can help you keep track of your schedule, plus you can easily share it with other family members, so they can respect your study time.
Coursework in massage therapy school programs
According to Grimm, massage therapy programs typically focus on the core sciences that are relevant to massage therapy. These generally include:
Anatomy
Physiology
Kinesiology
Pathology
“These give you a grounding in the different parts of the body, a broad sense of how the body works and how we move and what can go wrong,” she said.
During your courses, you will begin by studying the core sciences before progressing to learning different massage modalities. A quality program will teach you how to assess a client, how to identify the best modality and approach for their needs and how to safely apply massage techniques. When learning to actually perform massage, hands-on supervision can help ensure you learn how to appropriately apply pressure, developing the firsthand experience and overall feel that is so important in massage.
Grimm explained that depending on the scope of the program, it may incorporate coursework for different massage modalities. For example, a program might focus on Swedish massage, deep tissue massage, sports massage, aromatherapy massage or Thai massage. Some programs may incorporate coursework focused on massage for certain populations, such as pregnant women. Longer, more involved programs may introduce you to all of these massage modalities, equipping you with more versatile skills. You might discover that a few of these modalities appeal to you, and eventually will decide to focus on those modalities or offer them exclusively in your practice.
Most programs also incorporate coursework covering the basics of client communication and business. Since massage therapists can work in numerous settings, including establishing a private practice, it’s particularly valuable for massage therapy students to learn the basics of starting and running a business. Coursework in marketing may also help students prepare to start and promote their own business.
Pros and cons of full-time versus part-time programs
Some massage therapy programs are available on a full-time or a part-time basis, and your chosen study pace will affect how long it takes to complete the program. There are pros and cons to each option.
Full-time study
Grimm explained that you can typically complete a full-time program faster than you could complete that same program on a part-time basis.
“Full-time programs can create a more immersive experience, since you’re spending so much time learning and focusing on the material. However, full-time courses can be quite demanding, and juggling the program with other obligations can be difficult,” she said.
Part-time study
“Part-time courses offer a flexible option for working adults or those with competing priorities to manage, but of course take longer to complete,” said Grimm.
“However, part-time courses may be ideal if you prefer a slower pace and want to have plenty of time to absorb the material and practice the massage techniques that you’re learning.”
Massage school programs and certification and licensing
Massage therapy is a highly regulated profession, and most states require massage therapists to be licensed to practice. Licensure requirements vary from state to state, but often require that candidates complete a minimum number of hours of supervised classroom and clinical instruction from an accredited school. Your state may also require you to pass the Massage & Bodywork Licensing Examination (MBLEx) and carry professional liability insurance as well.
Since supervised hours are often essential to licensure, it’s important to choose a massage therapy program that will include the number of hours your state requires. Be sure to review your state’s licensure requirements ahead of time and refer to them when you explore available programs. Shorter programs may include fewer supervised hours than longer programs, so these programs may not meet your state’s minimum supervised hour requirement.
Most massage therapy programs prepare students to take the MBLEx, which is the nationally recognized entry-level exam for massage therapists. In addition to taking the MBLEx and becoming licensed, program graduates may also choose to take the National Certification Examination for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (NCE) or another certification exam. Earning certifications as a massage therapist is voluntary, but it may help massage therapists qualify for more career opportunities, become proficient in a specific modality or earn a higher salary.
Factors to consider when choosing a massage therapy school program
There are many massage therapy school programs available, so it’s important to choose a program that meets your criteria. Consider these factors when making your decision:
Your career goals
Think about your career goals and what type of program will best prepare you to meet those goals. For example, if you want to specialize in a certain type of massage, then a program with a strong focus on that modality will best prepare you for practice. If your state requires a minimum number of supervised hours to apply for licensure, carefully review the program details and make sure that it will prepare you to meet that milestone.
Program format and pace
There are pros and cons to traditional, online and hybrid massage programs, so carefully consider your learning style as well as other factors, like whether you want to relocate to go to school, or have the self management skills to complete an online course, to decide which format is best for you.
You’ll also need to determine the best program pace. If you’re balancing school with a full-time job, then a part-time or self-paced program may be best. But if you’re able to dedicate more time to your studies, you’ll be able to complete a full-time program sooner.
School support
“It’s worth finding out what support is offered once you’ve completed your course to help you use your new qualification to find work as a massage therapist,” said Grimm. “Many training providers have links with businesses and organizations that can help you find work opportunities once you qualify.” Ask about any ongoing support available, such as a school career center, which can help you develop your resume and job placement.
Program reviews
Researching other students’ reviews of a program may give you a more complete understanding of it so you can better decide whether it’s right for you. “Treat any course you’re looking into the same way you would any other investment of your time and money,” advised Grimm. “Try to find reviews from past students, and if you’re able to, ask them for their honest feedback on what they liked and disliked about the course.”
Keep in mind most programs may receive a few negative reviews, but if all of the reviews are negative or mention common issues, you might want to do some additional research into the program.
