Course Requirements

In formalized massage therapy courses, there is a set curriculum for the proper instruction of students. There are some variations, the most important of which will be discussed later, but in essence the instructors and institutions want you to receive the best education they can give you, so the programs will at least cover the basics.

First of all, when we discuss formal training, there needs to be some clarification. Most states and the District of Columbia (Washington DC) require some kind of formal training. The majority of these states require that training to take place in a two year accredited community college or other institution. Other states that certify only require a one year certificate program. Finally, there are states that have no laws or regulations governing who can be a massage therapist. In each case, it is important that you contact the state’s board of health prior to embarking upon your career in order to find out what is required. When in doubt, however, it is never a bad idea to get more education than is required by your state.

Two year degrees are the most comprehensive of the massage therapy curriculums. During your two years at the college, university, or community college, you will be studying medically-oriented courses. Anatomy (the science of how the body is put together), physiology (how the body works), and kinesiology (how the body moves in three-dimensional space) are always required at this level of instruction. Additionally, the massage therapy students are instructed on a variety of techniques and theories associated with the massage therapy field. Classes in diagnostic techniques and theories, medical terminology, and the ethics of being a massage therapist are also covered in the average two year program. Finally, two year programs also cover some basic business courses and some legal courses to familiarize the students with the laws pertaining to the massage therapy field. This is in recognition that over two thirds of massage therapy students become self-employed, freelance massage therapists.

One year programs are increasingly rare but there are states that only require a one year certificate in order to become licensed. The certificate program is usually offered by distance learning institutions and online universities, but are also offered by some community or junior colleges. The instruction at these institutions is greatly accelerated compared to the two year program. Basic core requirements such as anatomy, physiology, and kinesiology may or may not be combined in these courses. Massage techniques and theories may also be abbreviated. The business and legal courses are usually eliminated altogether or are offered as a combined course in some cases.

Finally, some states have no formal requirements at all and some massage therapists attach themselves to experienced massage therapists in order to learn the trade. Apprenticeship does not mean no cost nor does it mean that the instruction will take less time; both may be untrue depending upon the student, the mentor, and the arrangement agreed to by all parties. Instruction is, however, mostly practical application and very light on theory and book work.

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