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....
Career Training Academy (CTA) is a healthcare educational center providing entry-level training in such fields as dental assisting, medical assisting, health insurance, and massage therapy. The massage therapy course offers hands-on opportunities to learn to be a care provider, with diploma courses that can be completed in as little as 6 months. In addition to the Monroeville campus, facilities in Pennsylvania include a branch in Pittsburgh and the primary campus in New Kensington.
The school’s mission is to “provide an educational environment that enhances learning and personal enrichment of all students.” To accomplish this goal, Career Training Academy creates a curriculum that is designed to prepare students for the career setting.Career placement services, daycare facilities at the New Kensington campus, and flexible class times all combine to make CTA a contender for adult learners hoping to start a new career. It is also open to recent high school graduates hoping to get a good start on their future with diploma-level vocational training.
Career Training Academy
4314 Old William Penn Hwy, Ste 103
Monroeville, PA 15146
There are a total of three massage program options offered through Career Training Academy: the Therapeutic Massage Technician, Comprehensive Massage Therapist, and Advanced Bodyworker AST. The Therapeutic Massage Technician program is a diploma course offering training in Swedish massage, therapeutic techniques, and other massage modalities. It is designed to be completed in 6 months (9 months for evening classes).
The Comprehensive Massage Therapist course takes the training one step further. Students learn specialized techniques that focus on alleviating specific client complaints or conditions. It requires a 9-month commitment at the full-time, day class course load.
For those who want are interested in the pathology behind massage and who want to focus on holistic healthcare as an advanced field, the Advanced Bodyworker program might be a good fit. This 16-month class results in an Associate of Specialized Technology (AST) degree and helps build skills in advanced bodywork.
All three programs require students to participate in the school’s massage clinic, and a wide array of continuing education courses can be taken on a per-class basis to advance your massage education even more.
Class sizes are kept small to increase the amount of hands-on learning time students have access to. Instructors are massage therapists as well as teachers, which means that their real-world experience plays a role in the way classes are taught. Class mentors are also available for on-going support in the academic setting.
The Monroeville campus offers 4,800 square feet of space, complete with classrooms, labs, and computer centers. An on-site student clinic helps massage students gain experience in a real-world setting, and on the types of equipment that are standard in today’s spas and massage clinics.
Career Training Academy is accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC), which grants it the ability to award diplomas and degrees on qualifying students. It is also licensed by the State Board of Private Licensed Schools and the Pennsylvania Department of Education to operate within the state.
Although the massage program isn’t formally recognized by the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork (NCBTMB), the continuing education credits are approved by this national organization.
Students who need help paying for school may turn to traditional financial aid avenues. Career Training Academy participates in federal funding options, which may include government grants, loans, and work-study opportunities (awarded according to need in accordance with the FAFSA form).
Located just 15 miles east of Pittsburgh, Monroeville is a vibrant suburb offering a mixture of residential areas and more urbanized commercial developments. In addition to a large number of parks and family-centered areas, Monroeville also boasts a recognizable concentration of educational facilities. A community college, the satellite campus of University of Pennsylvania, ITT Tech, and Career Training Academy can all be found here, and you’ll find that many of the individuals who call Monroeville home are pursuing higher education.
© 2012 Massage Schools Guide