
Vatterott College is a vocational training center that provides diploma and degree programs for the business, medical, technical, trade, court reporting, and culinary industries. Within the medical program, students can choose massage therapy, which provides hands-on skills training for those interested in working for healthcare centers, spas, and private businesses. The St. Joseph campus is part of a small and select Missouri community, and is great for those who want to be able to focus on their education and future.
Any important decision is accompanied by important questions, and attending massage therapy school is no different. How much will it cost? How long does it take? How do I start? Can I get financial aid? Get the information you need, and the answers you’re looking for.
Below is just some basic information about Vatterott College’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.
Vatterott College first started providing career training in 1969. For years, it remained a fairly small and select vocational training center that focused on technical trades and general business. However, as the years progressed, additional campuses and fields of study were opened. By 2003, a parent company (Vatteroott Education Centers, Inc.) branched off, and it now oversees 24 separate campuses under the names of Vatterott College, Vatterott Education Center of Dallas, Vatterott Career Colleges in Memphis, Tennessee, L’École Culinaire, and The Court Reporting Institutes.
Depending on the program, students may be able to earn a diploma, Associate degree (both AOS and AAS), or Bachelor’s degree. At the St. Joseph campus, the massage therapy course offers only a diploma course.
The Massage Therapy program trains graduates to work in entry-level massage positions. It lasts for a total of 30 weeks (three 10-week terms), which is split between massage theory, practice techniques, anatomy and physiology, CPR, and massage business, ethics, and law. Students learn such modalities as Swedish massage, sports massage, and pre-natal massage, and enhance all these skills with hands-on training in a clinical setting.
Upon graduation, students are eligible to sit for the national certification exam through the NCBTMB. With a passing score, students are then allowed to work in the state of Missouri as a licensed massage therapist.
The faculty members at Vatterott are chose for their real-world experience and commitment to education. The focus of all training is developing hands-on skills, so the class sizes remain fairly small to allow the instructors to put their focus where it belongs. For the massage program, most students will learn from the same instructor for the duration of the course.
In addition to massage therapy, the St. Joseph campus also offers training in business management, computer systems, criminal justice, medical assisting, medical billing and coding, information systems security, and cosmetology. The facilities are equipped with the latest in technology and tools related to each field, and computer and massage labs are available for hands-on practice and skills development.
Part of the facilities include online library services, which helps facilitate learning from any location with Internet access. Many administrative and faculty offices are also on campus for students with questions or concerns, or who are in need of additional help.
All the Vatterott Colleges are accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC). This recognition from the U.S. Department of Education grants the school the ability to bestow diplomas and degrees on qualifying students.
Eligible students can apply for financial aid through federal and state avenues via the traditional FAFSA form. Most students use some combination of federal loans, federal grants, private loans, and payment plans in order to finance their Vatterott education. A financial aid department on campus is available for students who have questions about how to apply.
St. Joseph is a medium-sized city in northwest Missouri. As the home of Missouri Western State University, there is a young and vibrant population here that embraces a college town atmosphere. It is routinely ranked as one of the top “All-American” cities, and many families move here to take advantage of the city amenities while still enjoying a smaller, more community-oriented feeling. Proximity to other metropolitan centers in Missouri also means that students can enjoy a more active nightlife during school breaks and weekends.