National University of Health Sciences - Massage Therapy

Massage Therapy:

The demand for qualified massage therapists is ever increasing. With the comprehensive preparation that the National University massage therapy programs provide, you will benefit from a wide range of professional opportunities in 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 (NUHS) 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:

NUHS has been a leader in educating chiropractic physicians since 1906. But in 1999, we established the Massage Therapy Certification Program in order to increase our instruction in conservative methods of health care. Then in 2000, we instituted additional natural healing degrees in naturopathic medicine, acupuncture and oriental medicine.

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

As a massage therapy student, 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, one of the area's largest medical libraries with 18,000 print and audio-visual items and 242 specialized journals.

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. We also offer an Associate of Applied Science Degree in Massage Therapy (AAS), designed for those students who have already finished general education courses toward a two-year degree.

If you are wondering whether a career in massage therapy is right for you, you can explore our Massage Therapy Program at a general Information Night session or take our Introduction to Massage Therapy course. The course covers what it takes to start a career as a massage therapist, allows you to experience the benefits of massage first-hand, and taps into the anatomy, health sciences and terminology that professional massage therapists need to know.

All students wishing to enroll in the Massage Therapy Certification or AAS program must take and pass the Intro to Massage course as a requirement for admission. However, you may also enroll in the four-evening program course for your personal enrichment and to learn fundamental principles and hands-on techniques for giving a great massage to friends and loved ones.

Curriculum:

Because it is important for you to understand the structure and function of the body as it relates to massage, our 705-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 University'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 clinicians to provide integrated care to clinic patients.

Admission Requirements:

To apply for National University's Massage Therapy Certification Program, you must be a high school graduate with a 2.0 on a 4.0 scale cumulative GPA, or be GED-certified. You must also be 18 years of age or older at the time of matriculation.

Financial Aid:

National University'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 is required of all new massage therapists in Illinois.

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 Massage Therapy Information Nights and Introduction to Massage courses each year but individual tours also may be arranged Monday-Friday between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.

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