Five Sessions
The school is designed as a five session program. Each session lasts approximately 12 weeks, 4 days a week, 4 hours a day. There are also 15 student scheduled massages required each session. These will be performed in the student clinic on the general public under the direction of the clinic supervisor.
1st Session
-Introduction to Massage, including Introductory Business Law and Ethics (2 days per week for 96 hours)
-Anatomy and Physiology (2 days per week for 96 hours)
2nd / 3rd Session
-Massage Modalities / Eastern Massage (2 days per week for 96 hours)
-Upper Myology with Introduction to Pathology 1 / Lower Myology with Introduction to Pathology 2 (2 days per week for 96 hours)
4th / 5th Session
-Neuromuscular Therapy Part 1 / NMT Part 2 (2 days per week for 96 hours)
-Pathology & Neurology / Business Law & Ethics (2 days per week for 96 hours)
Part-time study is also available to our students in consideration of work and family. Part-time students begin with Anatomy and Physiology in the first session to gain an understanding of the human body. Second session they will attend Introduction to Massage. Each following session will alternate between one massage class and one science class.
For all our policies, including the grading scale and graduation requirements, click here, or download the school's catalog.
Upon successful completion of all required course hours, with the appropriate grades, the student will be awarded a Certificate of Graduation from the school. This is a mandatory requirement for taking the National Certification Board exam in the Commonwealth of Virginia. However, at the completion of at least 600 course hours (nearly two-thirds of the way through the program), students will be issued a temporary certificate of completion of the basic massage program. At this time, a student in good standing may take the national certification test. Upon successful completion of this test, the student may become a certified massage therapist, granted by the State Board of Nursing. Whereupon, the student will be able to practice as a certified massage therapist in the Commonwealth of Virginia.
Course Descriptions
Anatomy and Physiology: A comprehensive study detailing and explaining the inner workings of the human body that provides crucial understanding necessary for fully utilizing your massage skills. In this class you will gain a working knowledge of the following areas: Muscular System, Skeletal System, Neurological System, Digestive System, Endocrine System, Vascular System, Urinary System, Lymphatic System, Respiratory System, Reproductive System, Integumentary System (the skin).
Business Law and Ethics: This course will be split in two sections. The business course will provide the groundwork for opening your own business or negotiating rates if you choose to work for someone else. You will develop a complete business plan detailing your potential business as well as showing you have a full understanding of what a massage business entails. Classes will also cover the experiences of certified massage therapists in the various areas and locales available, including, but not limited to, self-employment, medical centers, physical therapy offices, hospitals, nursing homes, chiropractic offices, resorts, spas, salons, and cruise ships.
The ethics section of this course examines various situations and scenarios in regard to what is ethical and/or legal in the field of massage therapy. You will also study in detail how to keep both your client and yourself safe throughout the course of a massage.
Eastern Massage: A fusion of oriental bodywork therapies used in the treatment of the human body, mind, and spirit through pressure and/or manipulations. This class provides training in a wide variety of Eastern massage philosophies and treatments in comparison to a traditional Western style.
During the course of study in the Oriental Arts of Massage, you will learn Ying/Yang theory, the meridians, Chi, Shiatsu techniques, and acupressure.
Introduction to Massage: This course is the first of five classes you will attend to master the art and science of massage. Here you will learn the basics of massage therapy, from the initial greeting of the client at the door to the completion of a full-body Swedish Massage. You will learn of the long and respected history of massage and its modern-day applications. Throughout the course you will learn the four basic massage strokes (effleurage, petrissage, tapotement, and friction) as well as the limitless combinations used to perform a Swedish Massage. At the completion of this course you will have all the basic tools needed to complete a Swedish Massage and will be permitted to begin scheduling student massages in our clinic.
In the Introduction to Massage course, you will also complete an Introduction to Business Law and Ethics section. This part of the course will familiarize you with a general understanding of federal, state, and local law regarding massage therapy. Also, a detailed review of the bodyworkers code of ethics will be given. This section is added to ensure that you are aware of the regulations as you enter into our student clinic and perform massages on the general public.
Massage Modalities: An overview of a variety of modalities. This course will introduce you to a wide range of massage modalities, including but not limited to pregnancy and infant massage, hydrotherapy, aromatherapy, and medical massage. It will offer only the basics of each modality, and you may be given practical experience with only instructor-selected modalities.
Neuromuscular Therapy Parts 1 & 2: This course is the focal point of our massage program, a deep tissue therapy involving soft tissue assessment and manipulation, focusing on treating the root cause of problems. Using the techniques of trigger point therapy, myofascial therapy, ischemic compression, and stretching. The practice of neuromuscular therapy achieves balance between the nervous system and the musculo-skeletal system, This balance is essential for the body and mind to function optimally.
Pathology And Neurology: An overview and analysis of the most common health problems encountered in massage therapy as well as contraindications and precautions to ensure the health of both your client and yourself. This course complements everything you have learned so far about the body and its inner workings. Completing this course enables you to determine when and why you should or should not perform a massage.
Upper/Lower Myology: An in-depth study of the body’s musculature, including origins, insertions, innervations. Because of the importance of myology in massage therapy, this course has been divided into two separate, full-length classes taken in the 2nd and 3rd sessions.
Upper Myology is the study of each and every muscle from the waist up, from the smallest muscle in your eye (all six of them), to the broadest muscle in your back. Likewise, Lower Myology details all muscles below the waist.
During the course of these two classes you will learn to identify and articulate each muscle and its function, including origin, insertion, action potential, innervation, and range of motion. You will be able to discuss the actions, synergistic effects, and antagonists of each muscle. You will be able to perform muscle tests on each individual muscle as well as be able to describe and pinpoint trigger point patterns.
Also included in the two sessions of Myology is Introduction to Pathology 1 and 2. This is to familiarize you with the most common forms of disease and disabilities encountered in massage. It will help to protect you and our clients in the student clinic and when you practice your massage technique at home.
Massage Clinics 1–5: A series of student scheduled massages in our clinic focusing on bringing classroom technique into a professional setting, allowing students to integrate what they have learned with actual practice and to develop their massage skills.
Community Service: A chance to use and expand the student’s chair massage talents with the general public in a variety of settings.
Continuing Education Credits: Courses will be offered throughout the year that certified massage therapists or students may attend with whatever registration fees may apply. Certified massage therapists may also, at their discretion, sign up for the Neuromuscular Therapy course in accordance with scheduled fees.
