International Professional School of Bodywork

About IPSB

The International Professional School of Bodywork was founded in 1977 as the Institute of Psycho-Structural Balancing and quickly became known as IPSB. IPSB has earned the reputation of being an innovative college devoted to the art and science of contemporary bodywork and massage. The college was founded to teach massage therapy combining a focus on cultivating excellent technique, body mechanics, and movement with consciousness-raising techniques to touch the mind, body, and spirit. IPSB is noted for its commitment to excellence, the quality of its faculty and staff, as well as its students and graduates.

Curriculum

IPSB's holistic health and somatic curriculum is designed to integrate and harmonize the student's body-mind and to cultivate the attitudes, techniques, and skills necessary to support clients in their growth and change.

Beginning Course:

Essentials of Massage & Bodywork

This course provides a foundational level of training for the new practitioner. The Essentials of Massage & Bodywork course (10.0 credits and 120 hours of classroom instruction) is the foundation for learning at IPSB, for either professional training or personal growth and spiritual development. It is the prerequisite for the Massage Therapy Certificate program and the foundation for the college's philosophical approach to learning. It gives the student a solid core of skills, knowledge, and experiential understanding of the integration of Body-Mind-Emotions-Spirit through the work of holistic body practices. Students should anticipate approximately two hours of out-of-class work for each hour of instruction time.

The coursework is based on a Three Centers concept: the physical, emotional, and intellectual centers. The physical center relates to the physical instinct and the concept of being grounded and able to take care of our needs. The emotional center relates to the heart and the flow of emotions to the outside world. The intellectual center relates to being aware of the outside world, organizing the senses, and understanding what is going on.

These centers are seen as corresponding to areas of the body: the physical center relates to the legs and lower abdomen; the emotional center to the chest, arms and thorax; and the intellectual center, to the head and neck. The Essentials of Massage and Bodywork course is designed to create an opening and integra¬tion of these centers in the student and to give a format for balancing and opening these centers in others.

Certificates:

Massage Therapy Program

The Massage Therapy (MT) Program teaches several different hands-on techniques, a strong focus on professional and successful business practices, and thorough preparation to pass the NCBTMB examination. This program consists of 52.25 credits (600 hours of instruction time) and requires the Essentials of Massage & Bodywork course as a prerequisite. The MT program meets the local city and county of San Diego requirements as well as the voluntary certification program for the state of California to become a licensed Massage Therapist and qualifies students to sit for the National Certification Exam by the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork (NCBTMB). It provides a basic well-rounded education in hands-on bodywork techniques most commonly expected by employers and the general public. It blends the three centers approach from the Essentials of Massage & Bodywork with the practical application of session design, anatomy, and physiology needed to assess properly client needs and determine appropriate bodywork applications. Students should anticipate approximately two hours of out-of-class work for each hour of instruction time.

Holistic Health Practitioner Program

The Holistic Health Practitioner (HHP) Program includes all the coursework required for the Massage Therapy program, the Essentials of Massage & Bodywork course, and an additional 22.5 credits that permit students to take a therapeutic massage concentration, additional massage hands-on classes and professional development coursework. This program consists of a total of 84.75 credits (1,005 hours of instruction time) and meets the local city and county of San Diego requirements as well as the voluntary certification program for the state of California to become a licensed Massage Therapist and qualifies students to sit for the National Certification Exam by the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork (NCBTMB). In the HHP program, students begin study in a specialized area of bodywork. The required courses shape communication with clients, develop an analytical method of observing body language, view body structure, and create effective somatic vocabulary. This upper level massage training grooms the student as a true professional prepared for a wide variety of practice, competent in one or more specialty areas, and able to contribute in a variety of massage settings including clinics, spas and private practice. Many major categories of bodywork are presented along with a selection of specialized certificate courses. Students should anticipate approximately two hours of out-of-class work for each hour of instruction time.

Degree Program:

Associate of Science in Holistic Health Program

The Associate of Science in Holistic Health (AS) Program includes all the course work required for the Massage Therapy and Holistic Health Practitioner certificate programs, and an additional 20.5 credits. The AS program consists of a total of 105.25 credits (1,230 hours of instruction time) and meets the local city and county of San Diego requirements as well as the voluntary certification program for the state of California to become a licensed Massage Therapist and qualifies students to sit for the National Certifica¬tion Exam by the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork (NCBTMB). The AS program allows the student to advance his/her skills and competence over a broad range of somatic modalities while earning an Associate's degree. In this integrated format, students acquire solid professional technical skill and competency in the vocational certificate and Associate degree programs. Upon satisfactory completion of the program, graduates will be qualified to work as self-employed private practice therapists and as advanced level practitioners in spas, health clinics, medical offices, chiropractic offices, hotels and resorts. Students should anticipate approximately two hours of out-of-class work for each hour of instruction time.

Bodywork Specialization Certificates

IPSB offers Bodywork Specialization Courses that encourage students to explore in depth a particular discipline within the broader field of massage and bodywork. These therapeutic methods are effective for working closely with Eastern or Western models, providing the therapist with clear understanding and ability to interact with professionals in those environments.

Accreditation

IPSB is accredited by the Commission on Massage Therapy Accreditation (COMTA).

Accredited Programs:

• Massage Therapy Program
• Holistic Health Practitioner Program
• Associate of Science Degree

Federal Financial Aid

IPSB is approved to offer Title IV funding and Federal Student Aid in the form of Pell Grants, Subsidized and Unsubsidized Federal Stafford Loans, and Federal PLUS Loans to students who qualify. Programs eligible for Federal Financial Aid are Massage Therapy Program, Holistic Health Practitioner Program, and Associate of Science Degree.

Approvals

• Veterans and Eligible Persons under the provision of Title 38, United States Code.
• International Students under federal law for nonimmigrant students with Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant student (I-20 Form).

Continuing Education Approvals

IPSB courses are approved by the California Board of Registered Nursing (Provider # 04232).

IPSB is approved by the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (Provider #450182-06) as a continuing education Approved Provider.

Memberships

• American Massage Therapy Association - Council of Schools Member #73377
• Associated Bodywork and Massage Professionals (ABMP) - School Member #133245.
• Thai Healing Alliance International (THAI) - Associate Member #1372-09-A

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

IPSB -- Touching Humanity One Body at a Time