Archive for the 'massage school accreditation' Category

Looking for a Massage School in Utah?

Published
by
Terry
on December 14, 2009
in continuing education, massage school, massage school accreditation and massage school locations
. 0 Comments

You may be familiar with “Yahoo Answers.”  The way it works is anyone with a Yahoo account (Yahoo mail, Yahoo messenger) can log in and post a question about any subject.  People post their answers and earn credits.  We came across one question that asked where one could find a list of the top ranked massage therapy schools.  One person posted this answer:

“Check out Utah College of Massage Therapy….they have an Arizona campus I believe…I went there. If you can ignore politics, the education is absolutely amazing.”

Out of sheer curiosity, we did.  The Utah College of Massage Therapy (UCMT for short) is a family of schools with locations in Utah, Nevada, Arizona and Colorado.  The Utah campus is located in Lindon County. It will take you seven months to complete the program on full time enrollment, twelve months if done part time. You should complete 51 quarter credit hours and 815.5 clock hours.  The UCMT in Utah combines class theory, lab work and business concepts and methods to prepare students for the market place.  This is especially useful if you’re thinking of setting up your own practice after graduation.  Because the Utah College of Massage Therapy trains health care specialists as well, it includes CPR and First Aid training and certification.  They have interesting courses like Cranial Sacral Therapy, Russian Sports Therapy and Trigger Point Therapy.  UCMT also offers the Master Bodyworker Program, which students can also take after they have completed the Professional Massage Therapy Program.

If someone were to ask us to name one USP (unique selling point) of the Utah College of Massage Therapy in Utah, it would have to be the fact that they are a part of the Steiner Education Group.  This company owns massage therapy schools and skin care schools in nine states and 17 locations.  The Group is wholly owned by Steiner Leisure Limited which provides spa services globally; two of the industries they service are the cruise ship industry (about 130 cruise ships) and the spa resort industry.

We’ve read some of the stories by graduates of UCMT.  There’s Noel Olsen who says he set up a part-time private practice and worked in the military to introduce massage therapy into the athletic programs of the military.  There’s Jay Fultz who fulfilled his dream of volunteering for the 2002 Winter Olympics and Paralymptics which to him.  He says it’s one of the best things he has ever done.  And then there’s Nicole Weston, a Canadian resident, who went to UCMT to do the Professional Massage Therapy Program.  When she returned to her native British Columbia, she thought she might have a difficult time landing a job but was surprised to learn that she was immediately hired by one of the province’s top resorts.  Her starting fee was $35.00 an hour plus tips.  That was in 1998.  Imagine what she’s making now!

Make your dream of becoming a massage therapist come true…just like UCMT graduates did!

Massage Schools: Tips for Applying for Financial Aid

Published
by
Terry
on October 5, 2009
in financial aid and massage school accreditation
. 1 Comment

We have already written somewhat extensively about receiving financial aid for massage school. We won’t repeat what has been said but we’ll discuss things you should remember when applying for financial aid.  Ideally, the massage school you have chosen will have guidelines on their financial aid options. The key factor here is accreditation.  The massage school must be accredited by the State and offer a full massage therapy program covering about 500 hours of training for you to be able to apply for a federal loan.  Some tips for you:

Tip # 1: Choose an accredited school that offers a solid and reputable massage therapy program.  If the school is a member of several national organizations, the chances are good that it can offer more financial aid options.  The Cortiva Institute for instance is an association of many schools across the US that offer massage therapy programs.  Currently it has 11 locations.

Tip # 2: Your “to-do” list must have scholarships and grants at the top.  The reason is obvious.  You don’t have to pay back scholarships and grants.  Check with a handful of massage schools about scholarships.  It is possible that they have set aside some funds for deserving students or may have contacts in influential organizations seeking to promote massage therapy education.

Tip # 3: Don’t fill in your application for financial aid like a robot, like you’re filling “just another form.”  Be professional and be clear regarding your goals.  When you say, “I want to be a massage therapist so I can help others”, it is not as convincing as “I want to be a massage therapist because I want to show people that they can avoid chronic pain by adopting a healthy lifestyle; I want to share with them specific exercises that will relieve stress and anxiety.  After three years as an employee, my goal is to set up my own massage therapy clinic.”

Tip # 4: Read the instructions very carefully.  If there is anything on the form you don’t understand, ask questions.  Think twice – thrice – before writing or typing your answer.

Tip # 5: Perfect timing puts you in good stead.  If you’re applying for a federal loan, the deadline is generally the first week of January.  If you’re on your fourth year of high school and you’re enrolling at a massage school in September of the same year, your application must be submitted by January.  Keep tabs on all your applications and follow up, follow up!

Many schools listed in our massage schools guide have a section on financial aid.  They have trained staff members who can provide information.  For example, the massage school in Mesa Arizona – PIMA Medical Institute - says:  “The Financial Aid staff is available to help students at Pima Medical Institute determine eligibility for financial aid and work through the application process. Students are eligible to participate in Federal Pell Grants, Federal SEOG (Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant), Federal Subsidized Stafford Loans, Federal Unsubsidized Stafford Loans, Federal Parent Loans for Undergraduates, Leveraging Educational Assistance Partnerships, and Campus Based Funding. In addition, U.S. Armed Forces veterans attending PMI are eligible for funding from various Veterans programs.”

Another massage school in Westport, Connecticut – the Connecticut Center for Massage Therapy – has financial aid for deserving students.  It is now part of the Steiner Education Group which offers massage training in 17 locations in 9 States.  The Steiner Education Group is owned by Steiner Leisure Limited, a worldwide provider of spa services (note what we said for tip # 1).

With diligent research, you just might stumble on a massage school that’s in a position to offer scholarships and grants because they have affiliates that constantly need massage therapists.  They would therefore be more than glad to help you become a licensed massage therapist!

Thinking of Going to Massage School?

Published
by
Terry
on September 28, 2009
in certification, massage licensing, massage school and massage school accreditation
. 0 Comments

You thought about law school a few times but your heart keeps saying “massage school is for me.”  If you’ve felt this emotion frequently, it’s probably because you’ve always felt deep inside that physical health and wellness is a concept you like to share and promote.  The desire to help others runs strong in your veins and massage therapy is certainly one channel that will get you closer to your goal.

Well, if your decision is made, perhaps it’s time to firm up your plans.  Before choosing a massage school, there are considerations that will help narrow your massage school choices and do the prep work required:

If you’ve just finished high school and want to become a massage therapist, strongly consider enrolling in an accredited massage therapy school.  Thirty eight States and the District of Columbia in 2007 have established massage therapy laws that vary. These States have governing boards that require massage therapists to complete a formal education. After training is complete, they have to take the national certification exam or the State exam.  Depending on the State you live, you need to find out about  (a) licensing, (b) certification and (c) accreditation. Your massage school or your local Department of Labor branch can provide guidelines.

There are about 1,500 massage therapy postsecondary schools, college programs, and training programs across the US.  Courses in anatomy, physiology, kinesiology as well as topics covering organs and tissues, the science of motion and body mechanics are part of the curriculum.  You will also be learning business and ethics.  Many massage schools offer services to graduates in terms of job placement and continuing education.  You can opt for a part-time or full time training program, but expect to spend at least 6-12 months in massage school.

A word about licensing:  when you complete your training program, you may want to take the  National Certification Examination for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (NCETMB).  This test is required by several States before you can practice.  The NCETMB requires proof that you have graduated from a State-approved massage school or will need to see your experience portfolio.  The NCETMB will review these and then decide whether you qualify to take the test.  Note, however that if you live in a geographical area that does not require accredited training massage schools, you don’t need to take this test.

Passing the NCETMB means you can use the Nationally Certified in Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (NCTMB)credential, but you will need to renew this every four years.  For you to continue using this credential, you have to perform at least 200 hours of therapeutic massage and also take continuing education courses.  The Department of Labor reported that in recent years, a second program was being introduced – a multi-State examination program.  There is an organization called the Federation of State Massage Therapy Boards that offers a licensure program, and many States have adopted this.

So when you start massage school and have plans to practice after graduation, look into the issues of massage therapy licensing and certification months before you graduate.  By knowing what is expected of you, you can gain an advantage by preparing, giving you that confidence to earn that much-deserved licence to begin practicing!

For our next blog, we’ll talk about your qualifications and your potential for advancement including the job outlook for massage therapists.

Massage School Accreditation Explained

Published
by
Terry
on May 13, 2009
in continuing education, massage certification and massage school accreditation
. 0 Comments

When a prospective massage therapy student is investigating massage schools, invariably they will be advised to determine whether a school under consideration is accredited or not. One question I rarely hear in response to this advice is , “What difference does accreditation make?” It is not that the student doesn’t care to know but, more often than not, the assumption is that accreditation is mandatory if a massage school is to be considered.

Not necessarily.

We explore the accreditation process, the benefits of accreditation, the reasons why a massage school might not pursue accreditation (yes, there are valid reasons) and the considerations a student should make when making a determination about an accredited or non-accredited massage school in a new article about massage school accreditation on our website.

It may not change your mind about the necessity of accreditation but you will definitely be better informed.

The Importance of Massage School Accreditation

Published
by
Gary
on February 18, 2009
in massage career, massage school and massage school accreditation
. 0 Comments

By Gary Eaton, LMT

For many, choosing the right massage school is a challenging proposition.  Deciding which one is going to work best for you can be difficult as you weight all of the pros and cons of each of the massage schools and the massage programs they offer.

In your quest to determine which school will work best for you, you will need to compare the schools based on many aspects, including costs, schedules, programs offered, how long the program takes to complete, and many others.  One thing you need to take a close look at is whether the massage school is accredited.

What Is Accreditation?

Accreditation is when a massage school has distinguished itself by meeting or exceeding the standards of educational quality set forth by licensing organizations.  This is important because is means the school has opened itself up to an outside accrediting agency and allowed them to assess the school based on various criteria.

Some of the criteria the accrediting agencies look at when assessing massage schools include; the educational quality of the institution, the consistency of the institutional operations, institutional improvements and provisions for public accountability.

Attending a massage school that is accredited is important for many reasons.  One of the biggest is that some states won’t award a massage therapist a license unless they have completed a certain amount of training from an accredited institution.  This means that you could attend an excellent massage school and take the required amount of classroom hours and complete the necessary courses required, but since the state doesn’t recognize the institution as accredited it won’t count.  The result is the state won’t issue you a license to practice.

By attending an accredited massage school you insure that you are receiving training from an institution that has a massage program that meets the recognized academic standards set by that state.  It also means that the massage school’s staff are professionals, the facilities are sufficiently equipped, and maybe most importantly, it means the institution is stable and will be a permanent fixture in the massage community.

There could be nothing worse than getting part-way through your massage school training only to have the school shut down.

One other thing to consider is financial aid.  In order for a massage student to get federal financial aid, they must be attending an accredited massage school.

When looking at prospective massage schools, make sure to check that they are accredited and approved by the state or states that you plan to practice in.  This will not only save you from major frustration down the road, but it will help provide confidence that you will be getting a quality education from a massage school that cares about the you and wants to be around for years to come.

Accreditation may seem like a small matter in the bigger picture of choosing a massage school, but making the mistake of going to a school that isn’t accredited may turn out to be a very costly choice.  Don’t make that mistake.  Be sure you attend a school that is accredited and recognized by the state in which you are planning on practicing massage.

Gary Eaton is a licensed massage therapist and writer living and working in Portland, Oregon. He manages a thriving therapeutic massage practice and is a featured writer for Massage Schools Guide.