Think you can't afford it? There are tons of loans, grants and scholarships for aspiring spa and beauty professionals.
Learn how to finance a massage school in your geographic area.
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....
Pacific College of Oriental Medicine is one of the most recognized names in massage therapy and holistic education. With locations in New York, San Diego, and Chicago, the school makes the most out of the urban setting to provide an education that appeals to students from a variety of backgrounds. Whether you’re interested in a massage diploma course or a more intensive Bachelor’s degree in massage and Chinese herbal medicine, there is a program here to suit almost every lifestyle.
Attending massage therapy school is a great step forward in your career, and you’ve probably got some questions. Is there scholarship money available? How long will it take? Where do I start? Let us help you fill in the blanks to any questions you might have.
Below is just some basic information about Pacific College of Oriental Medicine’s massage therapy program, but if you really want to learn more, fill out the short questionnaire by clicking the link below and someone from the school will contact you to talk about how to apply, scholarships, time requirements, costs and just about anything else you may need to know.
PCOM
65 East Wacker PlacePacific College of Oriental Medicine is one of the only schools in the United States to provide degree-based education in acupuncture, massage, Chinese herbal medicine, and integrative medicine. It was founded in San Diego in 1986, and received accreditation from the Accreditation Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine less than a decade later.
It is a for-profit educational institution owned and operated by private equity firm Quad Partners.
The Massage Therapy/Asian Bodywork Certificate prepares students for entry level work in massage. The program covers Oriental medical theory and Chinese therapeutic massage. It lasts for a total of 600 hours of both lecture-based and clinical work.
The Associate of Occupational Studies in Massage Therapies (an AOS program) builds on the certificate program to offer advanced Asian and Western bodywork therapy (though still with a focus on Oriental theory). Students learn anatomy, physiology, general pathology, kinesiology, and several different modalities. The program lasts for 1125 clock hours in all.
The Bachelor of Science in Asian Holistic Health & Massage is a two-year program that builds on an existing AOS degree from Pacific College. Students focus on biomedicine, advanced Asian bodywork therapies, and public health—all of which incorporate a hands-on massage focus.
All three programs meet the standards for certification through both the National Commission for the Certification of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM) and the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (NCBTMB).
Faculty members at Pacific College are both massage practitioners and Oriental medicine academics. They represent a diverse section of the field, including medical doctors and acupuncturists, which is meant to help students gain a broader perspective of the holistic health field.
Students are encouraged to practice qi gong, tai ji, and meditation at the on-site facilities. The school’s mission is “to educate and inspire students to become compassionate, skilled providers of patient-centered healthcare using traditional East Asian and integrative medicine.” This mission is brought to life through a curriculum that goes beyond what is necessary to pass the national certification exam, providing students with a chance to learn the ancient massage arts that have been passed down for centuries.
Pacific College of Oriental Medicine is accredited by Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC).This accreditation is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and confirms that the school meets standards in education and ethics. The Chicago campus is also accredited by the Accreditation Commission of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (ACAOM), which approves programs in acupuncture and Oriental medicine.
Financial aid is available to select students. Although the official financial aid office is located at the San Diego campus, students attending school in Chicago can work with the local financial aid assistant to determine funding sources and fill out the appropriate paperwork. Federal funding, private payment plans, and scholarships all exist to help pay for school, and Pacific College offers one of the best online resources for massage scholarships on their website. The school does participate in Title IV funding, so federal loans and grants may apply.
Chicago is best known for its food and sports, but this vibrant city goes a whole lot deeper than that. As the largest city and Illinois and the metropolitan center for the entire Midwest, Chicago is where people come for entertainment, employment, and a strong economy. All of these contribute to a great setting for education, since students will find plenty to see and do in their downtime—all while working towards a better future. Whether you prefer to take in the culture and arts, if you take advantage of the healthy outdoor lifestyle, or if you want a nightlife that will help you relax after a hard day of studying, you’ll find it all here.
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