Massage Therapy

Campuses offering the Occupational Associate of Applied Science Degree in Massage Therapy include Cincinnati, Hattiesburg and Jackson.

Introduction

The popularity of massage treatments and the demand for expert massagers have spurred on the growth and quality of the profession. Jumping from 8 to 18% in the last 12 months, the number of Americans who say they had a massage from a massage therapist has increased since 1997(11/04). The amount of massage therapists in this country, counting the students, is between 260,000 and 290,000. In 1996, there were only 120,000 to 160,000. Since 1990, the American Massage Therapy Associations membership numbers have increased to over 46,000 members in the present day.

Program Overview

Graduates with an Associate of applied Science Degree in Massage Therapy have the training to get into an entry level position in the exciting field of massage therapy. They have a wide array of career settings to choose from including sport venues, private practices, spas, hotels, resorts and health clubs. The massage therapy program stresses personal development, communication skills, therapeutic massage techniques, and ethical responsibility to prepare students for a successful career. Students completing the program will be qualified to sit for either the Ohio State or Mississippi State licensing examination for massage therapy.

Career Outlook

Most people in the field obtain formal training. Because the massage therapy profession has become more advanced, we recommend the completion of a training program with 500 or more in-class hours of instruction. A well designed training program gives students the benefit of a broad educational background in the field of massage therapy. Today, 33 state governments and the District of Columbia regulate massage therapists and most of these states require 500 hours of training from state recognized training program. A minimum entry-level standard requiring 500 hours or more of training has developed as a result.

Massage Therapist work in variety of environment such as private offices or massage therapy clinics, chiropractor's or doctors offices, holistic health clinics, health clubs and fitness centers, spas, nursing homes and hospitals. They work with sports teams and at sports medicine facilities. Some therapists have movable massage equipment and they travel to their clients, rather than the other way around. Massage therapists can now be found in some unusual settings, including storefronts, shopping malls and even airports.

Note: The National Massage Therapy Exam, passage of which allows the taker to possibly become licensed in the state of Mississippi, may be taken by students who successfully complete the Massage Therapy program.