East West College

Touch people's lives...help...heal...grow.

Welcome to East West College--a thriving community of teachers and students where educational excellence and a commitment to healing come together to create an extraordinary learning environment. Our experienced faculty, professional curriculum and rich resources offer you a tremendous opportunity to become a successful massage therapist.

Deep roots and a powerful vision

Thirty years ago, our Founder and President, David Slawson, encountered the transformative healing power of massage therapy and began his own journey as a practitioner and leader in the alternative health care community. His vision led to the creation of East West College, now the oldest massage school in the western United States, and an international center for training in the art of massage and bodywork.

An expert faculty and creative curriculum

East West College curriculum is constantly being upgraded, incorporating the latest new research, books, multi-media facilities, techniques and other improvements as soon as they are proven in the massage community.

Our teachers include massage therapists, naturopathic and chiropractic physicians, and other professionals who combine decades of experience with passion and enthusiasm for teaching. Most of our faculty members maintain active professional practices and continually develop new skills to share with their students.

We train you for what's really important

The massage therapy programs at East West College are designed to help you pass the state and national exams required before you can become a practicing massage therapist. Our programs meet or exceed the requirements of most licensing boards in the United States. Our graduates enjoy a pass rate that is currently more than 20% higher than the national average on the National Certification Exam. We train you to achieve what's most important--being licensed to actually practice massage!

Our Programs and Mission

East West College takes an interdisciplinary approach to massage education. The 600-hour Massage Therapy Training Program offers in-depth training in Swedish massage while providing an introduction to the Asian modalities. The 801-hour Specialty Program offers advanced training, allowing students to specialize in either Western or Asian modalities. And the 1002-hour Specialty Program provides students the opportunity to specialize in both. This comprehensive approach demonstrates the college's mission--"Training for Excellence in Massage Therapy"--and inspires our students to reach for the best in massage and bodywork training.

COMTA Accreditation

East West College is one of the few schools in the West (and the only one in Oregon) accredited by The Commission on Massage Therapy Accreditation (COMTA). Recognized by the US Department of Education, COMTA developed from the American Massage Therapy Association's (AMTA) commitment to professional excellence. The AMTA was founded in 1943 to support and advance the profession of massage therapy in the United States. It is the oldest and largest organization of its kind in the world and the recognized leader in the advancement of massage therapy.

The Essentials

• COMTA-accredited programs begin every January, April, July and October.
• Students complete their training in 12 to 18 months with classes offered during the day or evening.
• The 600-hour Massage Therapy Training Program gives students an excellent education in the fundamentals of therapeutic massage and bodywork, preparing them to pass the National Certification Exam and state board exams, to obtain a massage therapy license and start practice. The 801-hour or 1002-hour Specialty Programs expand to focus on Western Massage Therapy, Asian Bodywork, or both.
• Alumni support services include job placement, continuing education classes and special events that promote alumni practices.
• East West College is eligible to receive federal financial aid and is approved by the United States Department of Education and licensed by the Oregon State Education Department. Our skilled financial aid staff will work with you to create a financing package that meets your needs.

A learning environment that supports your unique abilities

East West College classes are offered in a large, modern, well-equipped, and beautiful massage training facility. Professionally designed with environmentally conscious materials, our spacious classrooms, library, study rooms, lounge and bookstore offer a warm, welcoming place to learn and connect with students and staff.

Our commitment to each student's success includes small class sizes (average of 16 students), dedicated faculty and a creative curriculum that allows you to develop your own unique healing style while you train. For admissions requirements, please Request Information.

Be nurtured by the beauty of the Pacific Northwest

Known as "The City of Roses," Portland, Oregon is ideally situated between the Pacific Ocean and the Cascade Mountain Range. Acclaimed as "one of the best places to live in the United States," the city's charming neighborhoods, lively downtown, and excellent mass transit are surrounded by the natural beauty for which the Pacific Northwest is famous.

You are invited to a hands-on experience

You are invited to visit the college, meet our faculty, talk to our students, and experience the "Career Preview Day" and "Intro to Massage" class we offer to everyone considering massage as a career. Our admissions staff is an excellent resource and will help you take the next step toward this new, exciting and fulfilling career! To learn more, click Request Information.

Contact Us Today!

If you are interested in any of our programs and would like to find out more, please Request Information.