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In a time when the economy continues to be difficult to navigate and many people are considering their career options, you might be wondering if it’s the right time to start massage school. While there is always a benefit to increasing your education....
One of the best ways to pay for massage school is to earn a scholarship (or several scholarships) to help cover the costs of tuition, fees, and supplies. Scholarships, which don’t have to be repaid and are usually offered based on financial status and personal....
Dover, DE provides a backdrop for learning a new career in massage therapy, thanks to the Harris School of Business, which makes its home here. Although the name suggests the school’s focus is business and business-related training, most of the learning here has to do with medical vocational fields. For students who want hands-on massage training that can help them begin their careers at the entry level, the Harris School of Business is poised to help.
Harris School of Business operates across Delaware, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania. It is a subsidiary of the Premier Education Group (PEG), a privately-owned career training organization that oversees 25 campuses across the Northeastern United States. As a for-profit company, PEG owns and operates the Branford Hall Career Institute, Salter College, The Salter School, Seacoast Career Schools, Hallmark Institute of Photography, Salter School of Nursing, and Suburban Technical School. These educational centers are designed to focus on modern facilities, professional faculty members, and a career-centered curriculum that helps students learn the trade of their choice.
Harris School of Business 97 Commerce Way, Suite 105 Dover, DE 19904
The massage therapy program offers a two-sided approach to the field, with a focus on both medical-based courses and basic education and business preparation. In the medical-based courses, most of the classes are hands-on, and students work with soft tissue manipulation and the various techniques common in today’s spa and massage setting. On the business side of things, students can learn communication skills, human relations, and small business development.
This combined focus helps prepare students both for the real working world and for future testing and/or certification, although certification isn’t guaranteed. The massage program is complimented by an externship program that places the students in the real working environment. Most externships are completed during the final term, and include non-paid work at existing spas, medical offices, and private massage clinics.
Faculty members are chosen for their experience and ties to the community. Because all students must complete an externship at a real massage facility, instructors put most of their focus on getting them out the door and into the field with all the right training in place. Additional classroom support and office hours help round out the instructor-student relationship.
In addition to massage therapy, the Dover campus offers training for medical assistants, health claims specialists, and surgical technology. According to the school’s statistics, the rates of job placement are high for each of these categories, with the bulk of massage therapy graduates moving on to careers in the area. All facilities are in keeping with this strong medical focus, complete with labs and lecture-based classrooms.
The Dover campus of the Harris School of Business is accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC). This accrediting body is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education, and grants the school the ability to award diplomas on graduating students.
Financial aid is available to students who demonstrate need and fill out the appropriate paperwork. Many students rely on a combination of government grants and loans (which require a FAFSA form) and in-house financing plans. These in-house plans may include payments over time or private loans through a third-party lender. Government grants do not need to be repaid, but loans do, and all students should be aware of their rights and responsibilities before signing up for funding.
Financial aid is available to those who qualify.
As the capital and second largest city in Delaware, Dover has much to offer the burgeoning professional. Despite being one of the larger cities in the state, the population here is small and retains a feeling of camaraderie and neighborliness. At the same time, professional opportunities in the city and in outlying areas are often available—especially for trained medical professionals. Great seasonal weather and a low cost of living contribute to a great lifestyle here, and many students go on to enjoy successful careers as self-employed massage therapists or in a tourist or spa-centered setting.
© 2012 Massage Schools Guide