How To Select a Massage Therapy School

Massage therapy is one of the fastest growing career fields due to increasing public awareness of the health benefits and advantages of this ancient therapeutic technique. For those considering a career as a massage therapist, selecting the right school can be essential in order to maximize employment opportunities after graduation. Students can choose from a number of different programs, many of which lead to certification or professional licensure. Determining which school is the right choice depends on a number of factors, including accreditation, desired career path, and the classes offered at the particular institution.

Accreditation

Most massage therapy schools are accredited by one of five different organizations: the Commission on Massage Therapy Accreditation, the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges of Technology, the Accrediting Council for Continuing Education and Training, the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools, and the National Accrediting Commission of Cosmetology Arts and Sciences. Accreditation by any of these agencies ensures that the school is legitimate and provides the opportunity for students to obtain Federal student loans for their education. Additionally, completing a course in massage therapy from an accredited school often results in better employment opportunities after graduation. Most accredited massage therapy schools provide a path to licensure or certification for students who complete their programs.

Types of massage therapy

While most schools provide training in a wide range of massage therapy techniques, students who have already decided on their preferred career path will wish to ensure that the school chosen offers extensive training in their desired methodology. This is especially important for those seeking employment in the medical massage field, which requires precision and a high level of anatomical and medical knowledge. Prenatal massage requires specialized training as well, since it is designed to medically relieve tension and swelling in pregnant patients; similar requirements are in place for those who intend to practice in the field of infant massage. For general practitioners who do not intend to work in a specialized medical setting, a thorough grounding in a variety of different types of massage therapy is helpful in order to achieve the best results for patients and to allow a wider range of employment opportunities after graduation.

Reputation

Finally, the overall reputation of the massage therapy school should be considered. Reputable schools typically enforce stricter requirements on their students, but offer significant advantages in ensuring that students meet the qualifications for licensure or certification; additionally, many of the better massage therapy schools offer job placement assistance for their graduates. A certification examination is required for licensure; since 37 states regulate massage therapy practitioners, the increased level of class work and practical experience required by reputable schools will pay dividends in improved examination scores and increased employment opportunities, regardless of the field of massage therapy chosen.

This guest blog post was authored by Richard Hemby, a freelancer that writers about online massage therapy degrees amongsts other topic for Online College Guru, online college guide.