Top 15 Best Schools for Massage Therapy in the US Today
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What Is Massage Therapy?
A massage therapist is a medical professional who uses manual techniques and sometimes complementary therapies to improve a patient's health and well-being.
To prevent and relieve pain, discomfort, muscle spasm, and stress, as well as to promote health and wellness, therapeutic massage involves the manipulation of the body's soft tissue structures.
The rate at which the body recovers from injury or illness may be increased due to the beneficial effects of massage therapy on the circulatory, lymphatic, muscular, skeletal, and nervous systems.
On their list of the best jobs in healthcare support, U.S. News and World Report placed massage therapists at number thirteen.
A massage feels great and helps relieve stress and pain in the body. Massage therapists use their special abilities—"magic hands" and "magic touch"—to make their clients feel better. Are you interested in learning about the top massage therapy schools around the globe?
The majority of people report feeling better after receiving a massage because of its beneficial effects on pain, stress, and tense muscles. The massage therapy industry is thriving, and for good reason: it's a rewarding profession with solid job prospects and pay.
Because of this, this article will provide you with information about the 15 best massage therapy schools in the world and how much they will cost to attend.
We also cover why it's a good idea to become a massage therapist and how much money you can expect to make in this line of work.
Who Is A Massage Therapist?
Therapists who specialize in massage work with clients by applying pressure and rubbing the muscles and other soft tissues. Therapists are able to aid in the healing process, increase circulation, decrease stress, and promote relaxation simply by touching their patients.
These are the responsibilities of a massage therapist, as reported by the US Bureau of Labor Statistics:
• Consultation entails questioning patients about their complaints, health background, and expected outcomes.
• Client assessment for the localization of tension and pain
• Tweaking one's muscles and other musculoskeletal tissues
• Teaching people how to improve their posture through exercises in stretching, strengthening, and general relaxation.
• Keeping track of patients' health and development
→ Check More: Best Free Online Massage Therapy Courses With International Certification
Overview: Massage Therapy Schools In The U.S
The United States of America keeps topping the chart in various sectors, including education. In the US, several schools offer massage therapy training programs.
Massage started to become popular in the United States in the middle of the 19th century. Two New York physicians, George and Charles Taylor, introduced it based on Per Henrik Ling’s techniques developed in Sweden. Since then, the massage therapy industry is continuously increasing.
Students are advised to attend schools that offer accredited massage therapy programs, as all but 6 States require massage therapists to be licensed. The Licensure requires the applicant to receive training at an accredited school and to pass a comprehensive exam. In addition, those states that require licensure also typically require continuing education in massage techniques and in ethics.
Top 15 Best and Most Prestigious Massage Therapy Schools In The U.S Today
(The factors to rank by KnowInsiders: Accreditation, Number of Programs and More)
1. National Holistic Institute
Tuition: $15,588.00
Number of Programs: 3
One of the top massage therapy programs in the country is offered by the National Holistic Institute (NHI). Since 1979, NHI has been a pioneer in the field of massage therapy.
The school, which was founded in California and is the state's first massage therapy school to receive national accreditation, is dedicated to producing the best massage therapists while promoting the professionalism and expansion of the massage therapy sector.
NHI is one of the biggest and most reputable massage therapy colleges in the country, with ten campuses spread across California.
The National Holistic Institute's massage schools are a great place to study because of the following fascinating facts:
Only massage is taught at NHI.
It is accredited nationally.
The student clinic will help you develop important skills.
The rate of employment after graduation is high.
The school schedule at NHI is also flexible.
A 1,000-hour hands-on massage therapy training program can be finished in as little as eight months. A 450-hour Advanced Neuromuscular Therapy Program, on the other hand, takes about 5.5 months to finish.
Training Program for Massage Therapy
Intensive Neuromuscular Therapy
Massage Classes for Continuing Education
Website: nhi.edu
2. New York College of Health Professions
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| New York College of Health Professions |
Tuition: $390.00/credit
Number of Programs: 1
One of the top massage schools in the world is the New York College of Health Professions School of Massage Therapy Program. An advanced Associate in Occupational Studies (AOS) degree program with 72 credits is available at the school.
In addition to its core curriculum of European massage therapy, which is based on conventional Western anatomy and physiology, and Asian bodywork, which is based on the principles of Oriental medicine, the massage program offers many currently practiced modalities of massage therapy.
Additionally, graduates of this program are qualified to take the National Certification Exam for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork as well as the New York State licensing examination.
Intriguing information about the New York College of Health Professions and reasons to enroll are provided below:
flexible hours, including weekends, evenings, and daytime.
in as little as two days per week, full-time.
If eligible, financial aid is offered.
Normally intended to be finished in 24 months, the 72-credit recommended course of study for the massage therapy program can also be finished in 20 months.
Webstie: nycollege.edu
| The New York City campus of New York College of Professions is a satellite of the main campus located in Syosset. The institution also oversees a Chinese healthcare center. Students and instructors can participate in a two-week program at the facility to learn more about massage therapy. |
3. National University of Health Sciences
Tuition: $20.97/hour
Number of Programs: 2
The National University of Health Sciences in Lombard, Illinois, is widely recognized as a top institution for massage therapy education. Students in the massage therapy program at National University of Health Sciences receive extensive clinical training to ensure they are fully prepared to provide excellent service to your patients.
Sports massage, deep tissue work, Swedish massage, and trigger point therapy are just some of the massage modalities and anatomy that are covered in massage schools. Both beginning and advanced levels of instruction in massage therapy, as well as courses in business and communication, are available here.
The Associate of Applied Science in Massage Therapy is also available at National University of Health Sciences, in addition to the Massage Therapy Certificate Program.
The Massage Therapy Certification Program can be completed in as little as three semesters, or one year of evening study. In other words, you'll need about a year and a half to finish a 705-hour massage therapy course. An average of 84.6% on state licensing exams.
Here are some reasons why you should attend the National University of Health Sciences Massage Program:
Superior Preparation for a Profession
Acquire Professional and Interpersonal Competencies
You will be exposed to Anatomy through the use of Cadavers.
The Staff and Facilities at NUHS are Second to None.
Further, NUHS employs an Integrative approach to education.
Associate of Applied Science in Massage Therapy Program Graduates
Website: www.nuhs.edu
4. Myotherapy College of Utah
Tuition: $13,394
Number of Programs: 2
Myotherapy College of Utah has been providing instruction in more than 20 different types of massage therapy since 1987. The school's smaller class sizes and focus on individual students means they receive excellent education and care.
Students will be prepared to take the Massage and Bodywork Licensing Examination (MBLEX) upon completion of the program. The FSMTB offers MBLEX so that people can become certified in the field of massage therapy.
You should attend the Myotherapy College of Utah because of the following reasons:
Class sizes that allow for individualized instruction
Individualized instruction and support
Daytime and evening courses available.
Those who need it can apply for financial aid.
Clinic for Myotherapy Students Hours Day Job, M-F
Aid with finding a job after graduation
Access to Ongoing Training
The average length of time needed to graduate from a massage therapy school is 7.5 months. In addition, those looking to maintain their national certification can enroll in continuing education classes at Myotherapy College.
Website: myotherapycollege.com
5. Miami Dade College
Tuition: Resident – $82.78/hr; Out-of-State – $331.11
Number of Programs: 3
A massage therapy program leading to one of three vocational certificates is available at the Miami-Dade College Medical Campus in Miami, Florida. Physical therapists and PT aides are the target audience for the associate program, while other medical personnel can take advantage of the transition option. Students can bypass a number of prerequisites for massage therapy programs by following these pathways.
The massage therapy program at Miami-Dade College's Medical Campus can be completed in about a year.
The Massage Therapy Program on the Medical Campus is a Career Technical Certificate program with three concentrations:
25 ECTS or 750 hours of work experience (general option).
Optional Acceleration: 11.5 Credits in a Vocational Field
Alternative: 17 credits in a vocational field
Website: www.mdc.edu
6. Cortiva Institute Schools of Massage Therapy
Location: Arlington, TX; Baltimore, MD; Cromwell, CT; Maitland, FL; Pompano Beach, FL and St. Petersburg, FL.
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| Cortiva Institute Schools of Massage Therapy |
Tuition: $12,587
Number of Programs: 2
The schools that make up the Cortiva Institute network of massage therapy and skincare professionals share a commitment to excellence in education, service, and community building that benefits everyone involved.
The school offers a thorough curriculum that covers both the art and science of massage therapy. In addition, they provide career services and opportunities for further education to help you advance in your chosen field.
Some reasons why you should attend massage therapy school at the Cortiva Institute are as follows:
Flexible scheduling with classes available during the day and evening
Possibility of obtaining employment
Help in identifying and pursuing a satisfying line of work
Professional faculty and instructors to aid in your growth
Those who need it can apply for financial aid.
Students are automatically members of ABMP, the largest massage therapy association in the United States, and graduates with practical experience are more marketable to potential employers.
Website: www.cortiva.edu
7. Southwest Institutes of Healing Arts
Tuition: $75/36.25hour
Number of Programs: 3
One of the top massage schools in the USA is the Arizona Massage School at the Southwest Institutes of Healing Arts.
Nearly 30 years ago, the Southwest Institute of Healing Arts was founded as a massage therapy school. They now provide a wide range of degrees and courses in the healing arts, and we continue to offer high-quality, reasonably priced massage therapy training to both newcomers to the field and seasoned practitioners pursuing further education.
The goal of SWHI is to encourage people to identify their talents and abilities and to support them as they generously and profitably share these gifts with the rest of the world.
In essence, SWHI offers a massage program that is customizable and allows you to select your specialties and areas of interest at your own pace. Additionally, every one of their programs qualifies students to take national licensing and certification exams.
Their goal is still to offer cutting-edge, modern real-world training and the highest standards in healing arts education. We're dedicated to helping you identify your unique gifts and to help you use them to make a loving and successful contribution to the world.
Programs for Diploma in Massage Therapy
750 hours of professional massage therapy training
Master Massage Therapist, 1000 Hours
Master Massage, 1000 Hours, Natural Aesthetics Specialization
An associate's degree in massage therapy: Professional massage therapist with an Associates of Occupational Studies and more than 1000 hours
Webstie: swiha.edu
8. Northwestern Health Sciences University in Bloomington, MN
Tuition: $363.00/credit hour
Number of Programs: 3
The demanding massage therapy program at NWHSU can help you turn your love of healing into a lucrative career. Your ability to truly impact the lives of your patients and clients is enhanced by their anatomy-based curriculum, numerous clinical opportunities, and integrative, health-focused environment.
They offer a wide range of electives and clinical experiences in their massage therapy program, allowing you to pursue your interests and develop specializations to set yourself apart. They are Minnesota's only program to provide certifications in both Eastern and Western massage.
NWHSU can prepare you for success whether you want to work with athletes, in hospital settings, or incorporate modalities like Reiki into your practice. Whatever path you take, our encouraging faculty members will work with you to achieve your objectives.
Additionally, you will collaborate with experts in acupuncture, chiropractic care, and other integrative care disciplines, preparing you for a career in the field of healthcare.
Intriguing information about Northwestern Health Sciences University in Bloomington and reasons to enroll are provided below:
Superior hands-on clinical education is provided.
Integrate healing compassion, science, and the arts to provide holistic care.
It holds a national accreditation.
learn about fields in integrative medicine.
Flexible class times; both day and evening sessions are offered.
Additionally, graduates from NWHSU receive 2-3 times the minimum number of clinical hours necessary. They consequently have a significant advantage when they graduate thanks to this additional experience.
Additionally, it takes 1112 to 1912 months to complete the NHSU Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) or Certificate in Massage Therapy, which has 3 to 5 trimesters.
On the other hand, there are full-time and part-time schedule options for the Certificate in Therapeutic Massage, as well as 3 to 4 trimesters. It takes 11 1/2 to 151 1/2 months to finish.
The Certificate in Relaxation Massage, which has full-time and part-time schedules and two to three trimesters, takes seven and a half to eleven and a half months to complete.
Webstie: www.nwhealth.edu
9. Center For Natural Wellness School of Massage Therapy
Tuition: $17,500
Number of Programs: 1
One of the top massage therapy schools in the world is Center For Natural Wellness School of Massage Therapy (CNWSMT). Generally speaking, CNWSMT provides a massage therapy training program that is approved by the state of New York in three formats: a full-time day program, a part-time morning program, and a part-time evening program.
The basic introductory level of the CNWSMT massage therapy program is followed by more complex techniques used in professional practice.
In essence, all of CNWSMT's programs total 1,020 hours and adhere to the most recent standards set by the New York State Education Department.
The Center for Natural Wellness School of Massage Therapy is a great place to study because of these fascinating facts about it:
Exclusive Massage Therapy Education is provided by CNWSMT.
It holds a national accreditation.
Three available programs.
experienced job placement services for massage school faculty
A full-time massage therapy program at CNWSMT is also completed in about 9 to 12 months. A part-time evening massage therapy program takes 22 months to complete, while a part-time morning massage therapy program is completed in 14 months.
Webstie: www.cnwsmt.com
10. Bryan College
Location: Dallas, Texas
Like Gold River and Los Angeles in California, Bryan College is located in Dallas, Texas. Understudies can sign up for afternoon, evening, or online classes as part of their comprehensive educational plan. This provides flexibility for those who work during the day.
To enroll in one of their low maintenance learning plans, just submit an application. The school offers preparation through its Certificate in Massage Therapy and Associate of Applied Science with a Major in Massage Therapy programs.
11. Parker University
Location: Dallas, Texas.
Parker University is the best option if you want to study massage therapy or therapeutic massage. Parker University is a little private non-profit university located in Dallas, Texas.
About 54 students at Parker University received degrees in massage therapy/therapeutic massage during the most recent academic year.
Parker University's bachelor's program in massage therapy/therapeutic massage ranked first on College Factual's list of the Best Schools for those fields.
Because of this, the school's popularity among all colleges and universities that offer this degree was ranked #25.
In 2021, six women received associate degrees in massage therapy/therapeutic massage from Parker University.
The six Parker University associate's in massage therapy/therapeutic massage recipients in 2021 were all female.
12. Everest Collegev
The Everest College has schools in a total of 40 grounds and eleven different statuses. Understudies who visit the school can invest a lot of time in either spa or sports therapies. By preparing the understudies for both traditional and unconventional back rub rehearsals, they set up the understudies.
This makes them more skilled in the two areas of back rub therapy. The training provided there helps students become sufficiently adaptable to switch between academic information and the specifics of back rub.
13. The Soma Institute
One of the top massage schools in the US, the Soma Institute in Chicago, Illinois, has a high placement rate for its graduates. The type of back rub therapy taught there is designed to assist students in becoming better back rub therapies as well as clinical back rub advisors.
They have a 750-hour program that includes 300 hours of clinical treatment preparation. It is renowned for the advising and treatment programs it offers to understudies who are admitted to the institution.
14. Siena Heights University
Location: Adrian, MI
Students interested in massage therapy or therapeutic massage should consider Siena Heights University. In the far-off town of Adrian, there is a small private university called Siena Heights University. Siena Heights University is a top university overall, coming in at #861 out of 2,241 colleges and universities nationwide according to Best Colleges.
In the most recent data year, approximately 15 Siena Heights University students received this degree in massage therapy/therapeutic massage.
Siena Heights University placed third in the most recent College Factual rankings for the top universities for massage therapy/therapeutic massage majors. This places it among the top 5% of universities in the nation for this subject. In Michigan, it is ranked first as well.
Siena Heights University awarded 14 bachelor's degrees in massage therapy/therapeutic massage during the academic year 2020-2021. Due to this, among all colleges and universities that provide this degree, the school was ranked #9 in terms of popularity. In comparison to the previous year, when 10 degrees were awarded, this represents an increase of 40%.
Approximately 7% of Siena Heights University's 14 massage therapy/therapeutic massage graduates who received bachelor's degrees in 2020–2021 were men, while 93% of them were women.
White students at Siena Heights University are the majority of those who graduate with a bachelor's degree in this field. 71% of graduates from the most recent graduating class for which data are available fit this description.
The ethnic backgrounds of students who recently received a bachelor's degree in massage therapy or therapeutic massage from Siena Heights University are shown in the following table and chart.
15. Ivy Tech Community College
Location: Indianapolis, IN
Ivy Tech Community College is a must-visit institution for any student interested in massage therapy or therapeutic massage. Ivy Tech Community College, a public institution with a sizable student body, is situated in Indianapolis. Ivy Tech Community College is a fantastic university overall, coming in at number 340 out of 2,241 institutions nationwide according to Best Colleges.
In the most recent year for which we have data, about 45 students at Ivy Tech Community College earned this degree in massage therapy/therapeutic massage.
89% of women received associate's degrees in massage therapy/therapeutic massage during the most recent academic year for which data was available, compared to 11% of men.
White students make up the majority of those pursuing this major. In this category, 67% of 2021 graduates fell.
The following table and chart displays the ethnic background of students who recently earned an associate's degree in massage therapy or therapeutic massage from Ivy Tech Community College.
FAQs About Best Massage Therapy Schools
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| Best Schools for Massage Therapy/Therapeutic Massage in the United States |
What is the Outlook?
From 2018 to 2028, it is anticipated that the employment of massage therapists will increase by 22%, which is much faster than the average for all occupations. The median annual salary for massage therapists was $41,420, according to their report.
You'll be able to achieve balance in your life as a massage therapist and uplift the spirits of your clients. According to NCBI research on massage therapy, dopamine and serotonin levels rise by an average of 31% and 28%, respectively, and serotonin, a neurotransmitter linked to happiness, is increased by 28%.
How Long does it take to Study Massage Therapy?
A full-time massage therapy program lasts for about 7.5 months (30 weeks). A certificate in massage therapy training may occasionally take as long as 12 months (or even 24 months).
However, the length is determined by the number of hours or credit units in the courses.
For instance, the National Holistic Institute's 800-hour Hands-On Massage Therapy Training can be finished in as little as 8 months.
The 705-hour massage therapy certification program at the National University of Health Sciences takes about a year to complete.
However, some schools require more time to finish a massage therapy program. For instance, the OVCMT's massage training program can be finished in about two years.
| A full-time massage therapy program lasts for about 7.5 months (30 weeks). A certificate in massage therapy training may occasionally take as long as 12 months (or even 24 months). However, the length is determined by the courses' credit or hour requirements. |
How expensive are massage therapy programs?
Tuition at a top massage therapy school can run you anywhere from $6 to $17 an hour, with $9 to $10 being about the national average. If there are no or few regulations in your US state, you can save money on massage therapy school by enrolling in a shorter program.
However, the majority of states that regulate the practice of massage require between 500 and 600 hours of training. This equates to a certificate tuition cost of between $6,000 and $10,000, depending on the institution and your preferred location.
Are There Massage Therapy Schools Online?
Some schools do indeed present massage therapy courses online. Students who have to balance schoolwork with other commitments, like caring for family members, will find that online massage therapy degree programs are a great option. They are also a viable option for people who wish to advance their careers while maintaining their current positions.
Prospective students should verify that the programs have been approved by appropriate accrediting agencies.
Conclusion
Do you want to advance in your massage therapy career? The tabs above provide more details about potential careers in massage therapy in 2023, such as their associated costs, degree requirements, salaries, and more.
Everyone enjoys a good massage every once in a while. There has been a rise in the demand for massage therapists as a means of relieving stress and pain in the body. So, it's a good field to work in for the future.
Furthermore, most modern educational institutions provide a range of massage therapy courses designed to produce competent practitioners in the field.
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