Massage Therapy Program Course Descriptions

Students will practice and demonstrate specialized massage techniques for mother and infant, people with disabilities, older adults and end-of-life care. Emphasis will include how to assist clients in need and perform massage in a side-lying position. Prerequisite: None

Students will learn how to create a comfortable environment and practice designing a full body Swedish massage. Emphasis will be given to cautions, contraindications and foundation skills for massage, including confident draping, body mechanics, self-care and confidence in opening and closing a massage treatment session. Prerequisite: None

Holistic medicine and natural wellness will be taught, including personal efforts to achieve balance of physical, mental, emotional, social and spiritual aspects of health. The student will learn how to use adjunctive modalities from eastern and energetic origins. Prerequisite: None

In this course, students will learn how to tailor their massage to a client’s needs and goals. Understanding the documentation process for a wellness massage in assessment, treatment and planning for the greatest care of the client. Prerequisite: None

A supervised clinic consists of 30 hours and is taken to prepare for the professional environment. The clinical internship is designed to provide a forum for students to learn how all the classroom material fits together. The clinical practice hours are unpaid to polish your practical skills. Prerequisite: None

A supervised clinic consists of 100 hours and is taken to prepare for the professional environment. The clinical internship is designed to provide a forum for students to learn how all the classroom material fits together. The clinical practice hours are unpaid to polish your practical skills. Prerequisite: None

In this course, students will learn corporate chair massage, how to use it as a marketing tool and explore their options as an employee, independent contractor or starting a private practice. Students will compose their resume and cover letter and learn how to interview successfully. Hot stone massage, reflexology and essential oils will be practiced to prepare students for the spa environment. Prerequisite: None

In Sports Massage and Hydrotherapy students will learn how the muscles work together to achieve complex movement (kinesiology) and how to use hydrotherapy treatments as they relate to massage therapy. Emphasis is on the neuromuscular physiology of stretching, normal range of motion, common injuries of athletes and how to treat injuries of an acute, sub-acute or chronic nature in a pre-event, post-event or restorative environment. Prerequisite: None

Anatomy, physiology and pathology of the head, spine and thorax will be taught. Students will learn specific skeletal origins and insertions, as well as the action of facial, cranial, spinal and rib cage muscles. Additionally, students will gain understanding of scoliotic postural compensation, injuries and trigger point patterns that sometimes cause headaches and back pain. Prerequisite: None

The students will practice specific muscular palpation on all muscles, injuries and trigger points covered in lecture by using myofascial, deep tissue and neuromuscular approaches. Emphasis will be on clinical reasoning skills for spinal muscular conditions and postural imbalance. Prerequisite: None

This course gives students an understanding of the assessment, treatment planning and documentation required for clients with chronic pain conditions and ongoing pathologies. Musculoskeletal injuries and understanding pain will be emphasized. Prerequisite: None

Anatomy, physiology and pathology of the pelvic girdle and lower extremities will be taught. Students will learn specific skeletal origins and insertions, as well as the action of lower body muscles. Additionally, students will gain an understanding of common postural compensation, injuries and trigger point patterns. Prerequisite: None

The students will practice specific muscular palpation on all muscles, injuries and trigger points covered in lecture by using myofascial, deep tissue and neuromuscular approaches. Emphasis will be clinical reasoning skills for lower body muscular conditions and postural imbalance. Prerequisite: None

Anatomy, physiology and pathology of the shoulder girdle and upper extremities will be taught. Students will learn specific skeletal origins and insertions, as well as the action of upper body muscles. Additionally, students will gain understanding of common postural compensation, injuries and trigger point patterns. Prerequisite: None