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....
YTI Career Institute has been in operation for over 40 years, providing accelerated training that focuses on hands-on skills development in leading job industries. The five campuses serve a population of roughly 2,500 students, all of whom work toward the same goal of gainful entry-level work in their chosen fields. In addition to the massage therapy practitioner program, students at the YTI Career Institute in Mechanicsburg can choose from courses like computer technology, criminal justice, dental assisting, medical billing/coding, and pharmacy technician training.
The YTI Career Institute is a private vocational training center that serves parts of Pennsylvania and Maryland. It was founded in 1967 as a training center for drafting students. It became more diversified in the 1980s with electronics programs, and the 90s saw more development in business and HVAC. The medical, culinary, and massage options were added more recently, and the school’s official name (YTI Career Institute) was adopted in 2006.
The school’s mission is to help “students attain rewarding careers through industry-modeled, student-centered, training and support of the highest caliber.” This is accomplished primarily by the school’s ability to model the training program (including faculty members, labs and facilities, and course curriculum) on the real-world setting. Most programs offered here provide certifications and diplomas of completion, though business and technology students do have Associate-level options.
YTI – Mechanicsburg 401 East Winding Hill Road Mechanicsburg, PA 17055
The massage therapy practitioner program helps prepare students for entry-level work in the alternative therapies field. Lasting a total of nine months long (900 hours), students work on everything from massage basics through specific modalities. Courses include anatomy and physiology, ethics and law, Swedish massage, kinesiology, spa modalities, sports modalities, deep tissue massage, and business practices. The course is rounded off with a few classes in spa treatments, which include aromatherapy, chair massage, and hot stone therapy.
Upon graduation, students are eligible to sit for the national certification exam. A passing score is required to perform licensed massage in most U.S. states.
Because YTI’s focus is on simulating the real working world, all faculty members are chosen for their experience on the job. From former massage therapy business owners to professionals who have worked in healthcare organizations, spas, and resorts, students get the hands-on skills they need from people who know what is required of licensed massage therapists today.
The Mechanicsburg campus is better known as YTI’s Capital Region campus. It is located in the Winding Hill Corporate Center, which is centrally located to provide easy access to and from not just Mechanicsburg, but Harrisburg, Carlisle, Camp Hill, and Dillsburg, as well.
YTI Career Institute is accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC), which means the school is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and able to bestow diplomas and certificates on graduates. It is also licensed by the State Board of Private Licensed Schools, Department of Education, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and has a membership with the Associated Bodywork & Massage Professionals.
Financial aid is available for students who qualify through the federal, state, and private funding options available at YTI. Federal and state monies (which take the form of grants, loans, and work-study options) require students to fill out the requisite FAFSA form and follow all repayment guidelines. Private funding in the shape of bank loans are typically dependent on personal credit rating and finances. Students who wish to pay for school can opt for an interest-free payment plan available through YTI Career Institutes, and some scholarships may be available for recent high school graduates.
Mechanicsburg is a borough located just to the west of Harrisburg in southern Pennsylvania. Although the town itself is fairly small, it is located at the crux of several interstates and highways. This makes it easy to live in the area and travel for fun, or to go to school at YTI from a neighboring city. Although the name makes Mechanicsburg sound like a very high-tech, industrial center, it’s actually nestled in a largely agricultural setting and embraces a small-town feeling. It is also rich with historical sites and a quaint and lively downtown district ideal for young populations.
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