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One of the most important parts of your massage therapy education is picking the right school. Not all programs are created equal and some are a better fit for training particular individuals for a career in massage therapy than others. Over 700 different campuses across the US offer massage therapy training programs, so it can be very hard to narrow down your options.
As a general rule of thumb, the optimal program depends on your specific situation. Are you looking for a 1-year certificate program, or you’re interested in a two-year associate’s program? Are you looking for a full time program, or part-time/online courses? Answering questions like these are tough but necessary to figuring out the program that is right for you.
Luckily, we are here to help. This article is a list of the top massage therapy schools in the US as ranked by us. Our choices have been ranked according to graduation rates, program size, and program reputation. All included programs are accredited.
Read on to discover important information about the best programs and find your perfect perfect massage therapy school. Not sure if massage therapy is right for you? Find schools for other professions by clicking here.
We selected the schools below based on the programs that they offer, accreditation, student population, graduation rate and reputation.
View our Ranking Methodology to learn more about how we rank schools.
39%
8875
The massage therapy program at ICC requires applicants to have a high school diploma or GED, completion of TM 100 with a grade of “S” and completion of Bio 140 with a grade of “C” or higher. The program also requires a drug screening, fingerprint background check, physical examination, and immunization records.
24%
15411
Queensborough Community College offers an associate’s degree program in massage therapy called the Healing Arts program. Courses provide a mix of Western and Eastern massage techniques and includes modalities such as sports massage and aromatherapy. .
18%
21872
The therapeutic massage certificate massage training program requires 40 credit hours and involves theoretical and practical instruction in massage therapy techniques. Federal financial aid is available for students who qualify. Students can expect to take a broad range of course focusing on the clinical aspect of massage therapy as well as the ethical and managerial aspect of being a massage therapist.
33%
12363
Also offering an online program in massage therapy training, Idaho State University offers a certificate program that takes a year and a half and 725 educational hours to complete. Minimum SAT scores required are a 360 in English and math on the SAT of a 14 on the ACT. The program accepts students in August and introductory courses are available online.
29%
14193
This 33-credit hour (712 contact hours), 12-course certificate takes a year to complete. CLC offers small class sizes and a fully licensed adjunct faculty. Their program will prepare you to work in a variety of settings, including wellness centers, sports clinics, private practices, salons, spacs, and hotels. Graduates of the program will be qualified to sit for the MBLEx licensing exam.
29%
13762
All credits earned during the certificate program at Moraine Valley Community College are transferable to associate’s and bachelor’s level programs. Course credits are also transferable to chiropractic and physical therapy schools. The curriculum specializes in the teaching of rehab and relaxation massage techniques that focus on the contribution to a client’s overall physical and mental wellbeing. Graduates will be fully prepared to take the state licensing exam.
30%
13720
Tri-C’s massage program is the only massage therapy training program in northeastern Ohio that offers associate’s degrees. Tri-C also offers certificate and post-graduate certificate studies in massage therapy. Applications for the Fall semester are accepted after the first of the year and are assessed on a rolling basis. Tri-C also offer lower tuition rates than many comparable programs in the area.
33%
13530
The certificate in massage therapy program can be completed in as little as takes 11 months to complete and focuses primarily on relaxation and rehabilitation massage techniques, such as sports massages and Swedish massage. Classes can be scheduled during the day or on nights/weekends and students have the chance to work with real clients at the on-site Massage Therapy Teaching Clinic
19%
23440
Tri-C’s massage program is the only massage therapy training program in northeastern Ohio that offers associate’s degrees. Tri-C also offers certificate and post-graduate certificate studies in massage therapy. Applications for the Fall semester are accepted after the first of the year and are assessed on a rolling basis. Tri-C also offer lower tuition rates than many comparable programs in the area.
43%
11505
NWTCs therapeutic massage program is a certificate program that 28 credit hours of coursework. NWTC also offers several study abroad programs for students in the massage therapy program. The program will instruct students on the science behind massage therapy and teach students about the, managerial and professional aspects of the career field. Total approximate cost for the program is just under $6,000.
26%
18880
Front Range offers certificate in both massage therapy and holistic health practices, which involves sports massage, aromatherapy, and deep tissue massage. The integrative program will prepare you to work in a wide variety of industries, including wellness clinics, hospitals, doctor’s offices, and rehabilitation centers. Included coursework involves neuromuscular anatomy, kinesiology, pathology, and professionalism in the massage therapy field.
37%
13737
The massage therapy certificate program at Daytona State College is a 2-semester program that totals 750 hours. Applications are accepted year-round and classes take place Monday-Thursday from 4 PM to 10 PM. The program focuses on an encompassing curriculum that incorporates insights from western and eastern medicine, and include specific courses on the history and law surrounding massage therapy in the state of Florida.
49%
12947
The massage therapy diploma program at ECPI University instructs students on over 80 different massage techniques and requires 15 credit hours spread out over 6 months. The program instructs students on more than 80 different therapy techniques and provide students with resources to secure a job in the field after graduation. ECPI also offers a massage therapy degree program that can be completed in as little as 2 years.
51%
11709
A high school GPA of 2..75 or higher is required to apply, or the previous completion of an associate’s degree or higher. Credits gained at Fox Valley can be transferred between more than 65 two-and-four-year colleges and students can transfer in credits from other schools. The estimated cost of the program is around $4,000 while books and material cost around $600.
21%
28819
The massage therapy certificate program at EPCC is a 525- contact hour course that can be completed in as little as 7 and a half months. They offer a flexible schedule with weekend classes available. The program involves a state of the art massage suite and students will be exposed to various sports, prenatal, Swedish, clinical, and spa massage techniques.
23%
27343
Massage therapy programs at CSCC are accredited by the State Medical Board of Ohio and requires 40-hours of coursework over 4 semesters. Successful graduates of the program will be qualified to pass the state licensing exam and will be qualified to work in health and fitness environments, including spas, medical offices, and private practices. CSCC also offers certificate in advanced massage therapy and massage therapy entrepreneurship.
38%
23413
The massage therapy certificate program at FSC-J requires 750 contact hours and can be completed in as little as 8 months. Financial aid is available for students who qualify. The program instructs students on a number of massage modalities, including hydrotherapy and aromatherapy. The program also offers course meant to teach students about the managerial aspects of being a massage therapist.
32%
32137
The massage therapy certificate program at SJCC is a 529 contact hour (23 credit hours) program that can be completed in as little as 2 semesters. Students are required to complete an in-state internship before graduating. The curriculum covers a variety of massage therapy modalities and courses, including kinesiology, pathology, hygiene and sanitation, hydrotherapy, and spa modalites.
19%
51100
This massage therapy certificate program involves 580 contact hours and can be completed in 6 months of full-time study or 8 months of part-time study. The program instructs students on many massage techniques, including chair massage, hot stone massage, and deep tissue massage. TCCD’s massage therapy program is accredited by the Texas State Department of Health Services. Applicants are required to have a verbal interview and pass a criminal background check.
37%
31816
The Palm Beach State College massage therapy program requires 750 contact hours and can be completed in 7 months. Licensed professionals in the Palm Beach State Career Center helps students with post-graduate job placement. Applications are considered on a yearly basis and the dealin is by November 15. Three cohorts of offered for study at different times: January-July, June through December, and part time course from January to December.
20%
57200
The massage certificate at HCC takes about 6 months to complete and involves 22 credit hours of coursework. Applicants are required to have at least an associate’s degree with a few years of professional experience in the industry. Example course include; hydrotherapy, anatomy/physiology, kinesiology, pathology, acupuncture, hospitality services, and fundamental of massage therapy. The program is certified by the Texas State Department of Health.
65%
19510
The Associate of Science degree in massage therapy at Keiser University involves 72 credit hours over 4 semesters (2 years) of full-time study. The program also requires students to take at least 24 hours of core requirements. The program offers extensive hands-on training with real clients in the massage clinic and instruct students on a variety of eastern and western massage modalities.
31%
40784
The total required credit hours for the massage therapy certificate program at Broward requires 750 contact hours (25 credit hours) of study spread over 3 semesters. Students must score a “C” or higher each semester to remain in the program. Potential course offered include medical ethics, hydrotherapy modalities, clinical massage practice, and anatomy/physiology, and course covering the legal requirements of massage therapy.
18%
73499
The massage therapy program at Lone Star College takes 9 months to complete and involves 23 credit hours of coursework. The program is accredited by the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork and is approved by the Texas Higher Educational Board. The average full-time tuition comes in at around $800 a semester, which totals to just under $2,000.
26%
50929
NVCC’s massage therapy program requires 500 contact hours and takes 6 months to complete. Applicants must have complete HLT 170 and BIO 141 with a grade of “C” or higher to be admitted. Applicants must also be at least 18 years old and complete a mental/physical evaluation, criminal background check, and in person interview before being accepted.
65%
19482
The massage therapy certificate program at De Anza College requires 25 credit hours to complete over 2 semesters. The associate’s in massage therapy degree program requires 90 hours of coursework over 4 semesters. De Anza offer a multi cultural atmosphere and a diverse curriculum that incorporates technical instruction as well as course covering the business and managerial aspects of massage therapy.
21%
72006
The certificate program in massage therapy at ITCC takes 2 semesters to complete and requires 26 credit hours of coursework. Technical certificate and associate’s degree in massage therapy are also offered and require 42 and 60 credit hours, respectively. Prospective students will have to pass a drug test, submit to a criminal background check, and physical examination. Ivy Tech also offers many transfer options for returning students who want to complete their degrees. Perfect for continuing education.
35%
54973
A technical certificate in massage therapy at Miami Dade college requires 25 credit hours of coursework completed over a year of full-time study. Applicants must have at least a high school diploma or GED and register for the Test of Adult Basic Education (T.A.B.E). The program offers three tracks for students at different points of the education; generic, accelerated, and transitional options.
Since massage therapy training requires some hands-on instruction, it is difficult to find a massage therapy program that is 100% online. Several hybrid programs exist which combine online-instruction with in-person clinical hours. Like in-person programs, online training programs will qualify you for an entry-level position. Online programs are a good option for working professionals or parents who need a more flexible approach to their school schedules.
However, online programs are not without their down sides. Most states require you to have worked a certain number of predetermined hours before you can apply for your therapist license, and some online programs may not offer on-the-job training. Massage therapy requires hands-on learning so it may be necessary to supplement your online instruction with hands-on practice.
There are several programs that offer a hybrid in-class/online curriculum that can be a great compromise for those who need the flexibility of online instruction but also want some hands-on learning.
Massage therapy training programs are normally split between 1-year certificate programs and 2-year associate’s degree programs. These programs focus on teaching the theoretical and practical skills needed to succeed in the field.
Certificate programs are the “basic option” and require anywhere between 500 to 2,000 hours of combined course work and practical instruction. The average certificate program takes about a year to complete. A certificate in massage therapy will qualify you to take the state licensing exam and get a job in the field.
Associate’s degree programs in massage therapy are a bit longer and more focused than certificate programs. Associate’s level programs normally take 2-years to complete and also involve a combination of in-class instruction and practical hours. Associate’s level programs tend to incorporate common college core requirements. Both certificate and associate’s level programs offer therapy training in a wide variety of modalities, such as sports massage, Swedish massage, aromatherapy, and more.
There are bachelor’s level programs in massage therapy, but these are rarer and normally designed for employed massage therapists who want to go back to school to become specialized in a particular battery of techniques.
$20
$41,000
26%
The median annual salary for massage therapists in 2018 was $41,420 ($19.92/hour). Many massage therapists are self-employed and set their own schedules and find their own clients.
Massage therapists also face a favorable labor market. The field is expected to grow by 26% from 2016 to 2026, almost double the national average rate for career growth. While many massage therapists are self-employed and a sizeable amount are employed in personal care services or the offices of health professionals.
Sources: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, CareerOneStop
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