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Specialized Massage Schools
Learn the Benefits of Attending Specialized Massage Therapy Schools
Massage Therapy Schools | Massage Therapy Schools and Careers Guide
| | Massage therapy schools and programs can vary dramatically, each offering its own benefits, depending on the student's personal and professional interests. Students who thrive on a "personal touch" when it comes to education will find that specialized massage schools present some unique advantages. Learn more by reading the information below to decide whether a specialized massage therapy school is right for you... |
Benefits of Attending Specialized Massage Schools
As you might expect, specialized massage therapy schools concentrate exclusively on massage education, offering an in-depth massage-only curriculum. This makes for a very powerful educational environment where the entire school is focused on a singular area of study—just massage.
One obvious benefit to a specialized massage school is that all faculty members and administrators are invested in the same subject area as students and have a stake in providing an exceptional massage therapy program that builds a solid reputation for their school. Building that reputation means providing other key benefits to students, such as these:
- Working with teachers who have years of experience as practicing massage professionals
- Maintaining small class sizes in which students can expect low student-teacher ratios
- Incorporating hands-on massage practice and fundamental business aspects into the school's curriculum
Their spotlight on massage therapy, and the benefits that this focus provides, contributes to another key element of specialized massage therapy schools—longevity. Generally, the longer a school has been around, the better. Many specialized massage therapy schools are owned and operated by pioneers and leaders in the field of massage and have been providing quality massage therapy education for many years. In addition, many of these pioneers and leaders teach in the massage programs, sharing their wealth of knowledge and experience.
Typical Massage School Program Requirements
On average, specialized massage therapy schools require a minimum of 600 hours of combined classroom and hands-on practice time. Typical classes at specialized massage schools include the following:
- Anatomy and physiology
- Kinesiology
- Pathology
- Therapeutic movement and stretching
- Different massage therapy specialties and modalities, such as Swedish/classic massage, Shiatsu, myofascial techniques, sports massage and others
- Professional practices and ethics
- Communication skills
- Fundamental business and law
- Career development
- Clinical practicum
Specialized massage therapy training programs vary in length, with some schools indicating that full-time students can finish their studies in as little as six months. However, the standard program length is closer to 12 months, with several massage schools offering program choices that take a variety of student scheduling needs into consideration.
Specialized Massage School Success Rates
With an exclusive focus on massage, experienced teachers and longevity, specialized massage schools create a strong foundation for students, leading them to achieve exceptional success rates in these areas:
National Board Exam Pass Rates—On average, over 85 percent of graduates of specialized massage therapy school programs pass the national board exams.
Minimum Job Placement Rates—Recent school surveys reflect that specialized massage schools place at least 95 percent of their graduates. And most schools provide lifelong career services, meaning that alumni can always return for assistance in finding job opportunities.
Student Completion Rates—Current data collected by specialized massage therapy schools across the country show an average student completion rate of 85 to 90 percent. Some schools boast a 100 percent graduation rate.
Specialized Massage Therapy Schools Deliver Their Own Special Touch
Deciding on a massage school involves a number of considerations when it comes to finding the massage therapy training program that suits you. Whether it is class size, curriculum content, teacher experience or any of a number of other factors that weigh in this decision, specialized massage therapy programs provide distinct advantages that will more than likely make the grade for any prospective student.
Search our directory of specialized massage therapy schools, and find the right massage therapy training program for you!
Looking for a Massage Therapy School?
Try our Massage Therapy Schools & Training page, which offers program descriptions and request information forms to find out more.
Sources:AMTA Massage Therapy Industry, 2009
Associated Bodywork and Massage Professionals, 2010
Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2010
Cortiva, Inc, 2005-2010
Sedona School of Massage, 2009
Arcata School of Massage, 2008
Central Florida School of Massage, 2010
Body Therapy Institute, 2005-2009
National Holistic Institute, 2009
UCMT, 2010
Utah College of Massage Therapy, 2010
Health Options Institute, 2009
Central Pennsylvania School of Massage, 2009
Calistoga Massage Therapy School, 2009
Where can I get training?
- Alabama
Cortiva Institute - Florida - Training in Pinellas Park, FL
- Alaska
- Costa Rica School of Massage Therapy (Study Abroad in Costa Rica) - Costa Rica, Central America
- Arizona
- Cortiva Institute - Scottsdale - Scottsdale
- Sedona School of Massage - Sedona
- Southwest Institute of Healing Arts - Tempe, Online & On-Campus
- Cortiva Institute - Tucson - Tucson
- California
- Costa Rica School of Massage Therapy (Study Abroad in Costa Rica) - Costa Rica, Central America
- South Bay Massage College - Manhattan Beach
- A2Z Health - Reseda
- International Professional School of Bodywork - San Diego
- American Institute of Massage Therapy - Santa Ana
- A2Z Health - Thousand Oaks
- Ashland Institute of Massage - Training in Ashland, OR
- Canada - Nova Scotia
- Canadian College of Massage & Hydrotherapy - Halifax - Halifax
- ICT Northumberland College - Halifax
- Canada - Ontario
- International Academy of Massage - Ottawa
- ICT Kikkawa College - Toronto
- Colorado
- Boulder College of Massage Therapy - Boulder
- Colorado Institute of Massage Therapy - Colorado Springs
- Costa Rica School of Massage Therapy (Study Abroad in Costa Rica) - Costa Rica, Central America
- MountainHeart School of Bodywork - Crested Butte, CO - Crested Butte
- Connecticut
- Costa Rica School of Massage Therapy (Study Abroad in Costa Rica) - Costa Rica, Central America
- Cortiva Institute - Boston - Training in Boston, MA
- Delaware
- Academy of Massage & Bodywork - Bear
- Cortiva Institute - Pennsylvania - Training in King of Prussia, PA
- District of Columbia
- National Massage Therapy Institute - Falls Church - Arlington/Falls Church, VA
- Northern Virginia School of Therapeutic Massage - Arlington/Falls Church, VA
- Florida
- Sarasota School of Massage Therapy - Bradenton-Sarasota
- Costa Rica School of Massage Therapy (Study Abroad in Costa Rica) - Costa Rica, Central America
- Florida School of Massage - Gainesville
- Central Florida School of Massage Therapy - Orlando/Winter Park
- Cortiva Institute - Florida - Pinellas Park
- Georgia
- Augusta School of Massage - Augusta - Evans
- Costa Rica School of Massage Therapy (Study Abroad in Costa Rica) - Costa Rica, Central America
- Cortiva Institute - Florida - Training in Pinellas Park, FL
- Hawaii
- Hawaii Healing Arts College - Kailua (Oahu)
- Idaho
- Costa Rica School of Massage Therapy (Study Abroad in Costa Rica) - Costa Rica, Central America
- East West College of the Healing Arts - Training in Portland, OR
- Cortiva Institute - Seattle - Training in Seattle, WA
- Illinois
- Soma Institute - A campus in Chicago
- Cortiva Institute - Chicago - Chicago
- Costa Rica School of Massage Therapy (Study Abroad in Costa Rica) - Costa Rica, Central America
- Cortiva Institute - Crystal Lake/Chicago - Crystal Lake
- European Massage Therapy School - Skokie
- Indiana
- Alexandria School of Scientific Therapeutics - Alexandria
- Costa Rica School of Massage Therapy (Study Abroad in Costa Rica) - Costa Rica, Central America
- American College Massage School - Crown Point
- Cortiva Institute - Chicago - Training in Chicago, IL
- Iowa
- Carlson College of Massage Therapy - Anamosa (Stone City)
- East-West School of Integrative Healing Arts - Coralville (North Liberty)
- Costa Rica School of Massage Therapy (Study Abroad in Costa Rica) - Costa Rica, Central America
- Cortiva Institute - Chicago - Training in Chicago, IL
- Kentucky
- Genesis Career College – Bowling Green, KY - Bowling Green
- Lexington Healing Arts Academy - Lexington
- Maine
- New Hampshire Institute for Therapeutic Arts - Bridgton
- Costa Rica School of Massage Therapy (Study Abroad in Costa Rica) - Costa Rica, Central America
- Cortiva Institute - Boston - Training in Boston, MA
- Maryland
- National Massage Therapy Institute - Falls Church - Arlington/Falls Church, VA
- Northern Virginia School of Therapeutic Massage - Arlington/Falls Church, VA
- Cortiva Institute - Pennsylvania - Training in King of Prussia, PA
- Massachusetts
- Central Mass School of Massage & Therapy - Spencer
- Cortiva Institute - Boston - Watertown
- New Hampshire Institute for Therapeutic Arts - Training in New Hampshire or Maine
- Michigan
- Costa Rica School of Massage Therapy (Study Abroad in Costa Rica) - Costa Rica, Central America
- Irene's Myomassology Institute - Detroit area - Southfield
- Institute for Massage Education at Kalamazoo Center for the Healing Arts - Kalamazoo
- Minnesota
- Costa Rica School of Massage Therapy (Study Abroad in Costa Rica) - Costa Rica, Central America
- CenterPoint Massage & Shiatsu - Minneapolis
- Missouri
- Costa Rica School of Massage Therapy (Study Abroad in Costa Rica) - Costa Rica, Central America
- Montana
- Costa Rica School of Massage Therapy (Study Abroad in Costa Rica) - Costa Rica, Central America
- East West College of the Healing Arts - Training in Portland, OR
- Cortiva Institute - Seattle - Training in Seattle, WA
- Nebraska
- Omaha School of Massage and Healthcare of Herzing University - Omaha
- Nevada
- The Bodhi Tree Center for Healing Arts - Carson City
- Costa Rica School of Massage Therapy (Study Abroad in Costa Rica) - Costa Rica, Central America
- European Massage Therapy School - Las Vegas
- Cortiva Institute - Scottsdale - Training in Scottsdale, AZ
- New Hampshire
- New Hampshire Institute for Therapeutic Arts - Hudson - Hudson
- Cortiva Institute - Boston - Training in Boston, MA
- New Jersey
- Costa Rica School of Massage Therapy (Study Abroad in Costa Rica) - Costa Rica, Central America
- Gentle Healing School of Massage - Cranbury
- National Massage Therapy Institute - Atlantic City - Egg Harbor/Atlantic City
- Academy of Massage Therapy - Hackensack
- New Mexico
- Cortiva Institute - Scottsdale - Training in Scottsdale, AZ
- New York
- Swedish Institute - A Campus in New York City
- Center for Natural Wellness School of Massage Therapy - Albany
- New York Institute of Massage - Buffalo
- Finger Lakes School of Massage - NY - Ithaca
- Finger Lakes School of Massage - Mt Kisco
- Onondaga School of Therapeutic Massage - Rochester
- New York College of Health Professions - Syosset, Long Island
- Onondaga School of Therapeutic Massage - Syracuse
- Academy of Massage Therapy - Training in Hackensack
- North Carolina
- Southeastern Institute - Charlotte - Charlotte
- Medical Arts School - Raleigh
- Body Therapy Institute - Siler City
- Oregon
- Ashland Institute of Massage - Ashland
- Costa Rica School of Massage Therapy (Study Abroad in Costa Rica) - Costa Rica, Central America
- East West College of the Healing Arts - Portland
- Cortiva Institute - Seattle - Training in Seattle, WA
- Pennsylvania
- Pittsburgh School of Massage Therapy - A campus in Pittsburgh
- Health Options Institute - Bethlehem
- Cortiva Institute - Pennsylvania - King of Prussia
- Institute of Medical Careers - Pittsburgh, PA - Pittsburgh
- Academy of Massage Therapy & Bodyworks - Pottstown
- Rhode Island
- Costa Rica School of Massage Therapy (Study Abroad in Costa Rica) - Costa Rica, Central America
- Cortiva Institute - Boston - Training in Boston, MA
- New Hampshire Institute for Therapeutic Arts - Hudson - Training in Hudson, New Hampshire
- South Carolina
- Southeastern Institute - Charleston - Charleston
- Southeastern Institute - Columbia - Columbia
- Cortiva Institute - Florida - Training in Pinellas Park, FL
- Tennessee
- Costa Rica School of Massage Therapy (Study Abroad in Costa Rica) - Costa Rica, Central America
- Southeastern Institute - Nashville - Nashville
- Texas
- Costa Rica School of Massage Therapy (Study Abroad in Costa Rica) - Costa Rica, Central America
- Ke Kino Massage Academy - Plano
- Utah
- Cortiva Institute - Scottsdale - Training in Scottsdale, AZ
- Vermont
- Costa Rica School of Massage Therapy (Study Abroad in Costa Rica) - Costa Rica, Central America
- Cortiva Institute - Boston - Training in Boston, MA
- New Hampshire Institute for Therapeutic Arts - Hudson - Training in Hudson, New Hampshire
- Virginia
- National Massage Therapy Institute - Falls Church - Arlington Area/Falls Church
- Northern Virginia School of Therapeutic Massage - Arlington Area/Falls Church
- Blue Ridge School of Massage & Yoga - Blacksburg
- Virginia School of Massage - Charlottesville - Charlottesville
- Costa Rica School of Massage Therapy (Study Abroad in Costa Rica) - Costa Rica, Central America
- Washington
- Port Townsend School of Massage - Port Townsend
- Cortiva Institute - Seattle - Seattle
- Northwest Academy for the Healing Arts - Seattle
- East West College of the Healing Arts - Training in Portland, OR
- West Virginia
- Mountain State School of Massage - Charleston
- Wisconsin
- East-West Healing Arts Institute - Madison
- Cortiva Institute - Chicago - Training in Chicago, IL
- Wyoming
- Costa Rica School of Massage Therapy (Study Abroad in Costa Rica) - Costa Rica, Central America
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