National University of Health Sciences - Massage Therapy

Massage Therapy:

The field of massage therapy is growing at an amazing rate! Chiropractic offices, health clubs, fitness centers, spas and resorts, hotels, nursing homes and hospices, athletic sites, and corporate facilities all employ massage therapists for therapeutic and relaxation programs. In addition, many massage therapists own their own business, often working from their homes.

The Massage Therapy Certification Program at National University of Health Sciences will give you the training and skills you need to meet the demands of this growing field. Your courses at National aim to help you prepare for your career as a health care professional. You will learn about the anatomy of the human body and how therapeutic massage can benefit your clients. You will learn how to develop successful relationships with your clients and other health care workers. You will learn the professional, ethical and emotional boundaries of the therapist. Since you may choose to work independently, you will be instructed in how to set up your own business and build a successful client base.

General Information:

National University of Health Sciences has been a leader in educating chiropractic physicians since 1906. In 1999, we established the Massage Therapy Certification Program in order to increase our instruction in conservative methods of health care.

At National, your massage therapy education will take place on our campus with full access to the same educational resources and clinic facilities used by our chiropractic degree students. You also will be taught by certified massage therapists and many of our chiropractic and academic doctors as well.

Location:

National University is located on a 32-acre campus in Lombard, Ill., at the corner of Highland Avenue and Roosevelt Road (Rte. 38), just five minutes away from the I-355 and I-88 tollways.

Facilities:

Since the massage therapy program is offered on our chiropractic college campus, you can take advantage of our fully equipped fitness center, on-campus health services, on-campus student housing, a full range of student services, and the Learning Resource Center, a 15,000-volume, 350-journal library specializing in health-related information.

Program:

National's one-year program can easily fit into your life style. Classes start three times a year (September, January or May) and are held evenings, Monday-Thursday, from 6 to 10 p.m. You may also take our program on a full- or part-time basis. Completion of the program earns you a Certificate in Massage Therapy.

Curriculum:

Because it is important for you to understand the structure and function of the body as it relates to massage, our 690-hour program emphasizes basic science courses such as anatomy and physiology. We also offer you the unique opportunity to learn the intricate relationships of the body during gross anatomy laboratory.

Your technique instruction will focus on fundamental Swedish massage, chair massage and sports massage - the most commonly used procedures among massage therapists - as well as therapeutic and relaxation therapies and wellness concepts.

National's program includes 90 hours of clinical experience, most of which takes place on campus in our health care center. While you develop your confidence and skills in client interaction, you will also work with our chiropractic physicians to provide integrated care to clinic patients.

Admission Requirements:

If you are 18 years of age, a high school graduate or GED-certified with a cumulative GPA of 2.0 on a 4.0 scale, then you qualify for National University's Massage Therapy Certification Program.

Financial Aid:

National's Office of Financial Aid will work with you to determine the loan or grant program for which you may qualify.

Accreditation:

Our comprehensive program is accredited by the Commission on Massage Therapy Accreditation (COMTA) and gives you all the courses necessary to pass the National Certification Examination that will be required of all new massage therapists in Illinois in 2005.

Application:

Applications are available on our Web site at www.nuhs.edu or by contacting the Office of Admissions. Submit the completed application with transcripts, $55 application fee and two character references. The Admissions Committee then evaluates applications for acceptance.

Campus Visit:

National University holds several Campus Visit Days a year but individual tours may be arranged Monday-Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

If you are interested in any of our programs and would like to find out more, please contact us for more information.