Professional Massage Therapy Program

The Professional Massage Therapy Program totals 637 hours in the theory and practice of therapeutic massage and related modalities. Human Anatomy & Physiology are intensively addressed. This program provides students with the curriculum necessary to be successful as an entry level massage therapist in a variety of settings including spas, salons, medial environments, fitness environments, wellness centers and private practice.

Program Objectives:
To prepare students for the National Certification Examination and for licensure as a Massage Therapist by developing skills necessary to meet the needs of the health care community. Upon passage of the examination, graduates seek employment as entry-level licensed massage therapist.

Upon graduation, students should:

• Be competent in the performance of Swedish massage
• Be competent in practicing Deep Tissue and Myofascial Release techniques
• Have a high level of knowledge in human anatomy and physiology
• Be acquainted with allied modalities currently being practiced
• Have a working knowledge of common pathologies
• Be able to differentiate between disorders that can be treated with massage and those to be referred
• Have the confidence to document massage treatments for practice management and insurance

Massage Therapy and Spa Techniques Program

This program will augment the students' knowledge of massage with specific training in spa treatments and spa operations. The spa industry is continuously evolving with hundreds of establishments in the state of Pennsylvania alone, and thousands nation and worldwide. There is a growing need for massage therapists who are not only skilled in basic massage, but in treatments specific to spa services such as wet room body treatments (hydrotherapy, body exfoliation, body masks, and body wraps) as well as dry room body treatments (specialized massage, stretching, body brushing, thermal heat applications, and dry sauna). Bodywork techniques will include stone massage, Shiatsu, lymphatic drainage, deep tissue, hot oil, and aromatic massages, cranial sacral therapy, and reflexology. Upon completion, students will be extremely marketable, at the entry level, in the resort spas, destination spas, day spa, hair salons and gyms that offer spa services, and cruise ship spas.

Program Objectives:
The program objective is to provide students with skills necessary to seek employment in the spa industry. This entry level program expands upon the Basic Therapeutic Massage Training program with more intense, in depth study of the theory and practice of spa treatments. The program is packed with courses directly relating to the actual science and effectiveness of spa treatments, advanced massage theory and practice, population diversity, spa etiquette, aromatherapy, and effective retailing.