No. of Credits: 60
Contact: L. Polk, Chair, Health Sciences Division;
T. McManaway, Program Coordinator
This program prepares students to work as professional massage therapists in a variety of healthcare settings. Massage therapy involves the manipulation of soft tissue structure of the body to prevent and alleviate pain, discomfort, and stress; to improve body function and performance; to stimulate or enhance healing and recovery; as well as to promote health and wellness. Therapeutic massage is an important component of healthcare as providers and patients are increasingly recognizing the value of integrative medicine as a viable option for the prevention and treatment of certain health conditions. Massage therapists are employed in a variety of settings including chiropractic offices, rehabilitation clinics, long-term care and acute care facilities, health clubs, spas, salons, as well as private practice environments.
The program consists of lecture, laboratory, and clinical instruction and practice. This may be a selective admissions program. All BIO, HTH, and MAS courses must be completed with a minimum grade of “C” or better.
To practice in Maryland, graduates must be licensed or registered. Applicants for licensure or registration in Maryland must be 18 years of age and have passed examinations approved by the Maryland Board of Chiropractic and Massage Therapy examiners.
The program is approved by the Maryland Board of Chiropractic and Massage Therapy Examiners and the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (NCBTMB). Students who have completed a 600-hour certificate in massage from the Baltimore School of Massage or PMTI may be eligible to receive transfer credit applied to the AAS in massage therapy.
The maximum number of credits accepted in transfer from other institutions to this program is 45.
NOTE: Students are required to provide proof of immunization status, a completed health form, a criminal background check and drug screen at the students’ expense. Students are also required to provide proof of health insurance and CPR certification. The American Heart Association Basic Life Support for Healthcare providers and the American Red Cross CPR for Professional Rescuers are the only accepted CPR courses.
Students must complete the health record, background check and immunization requirements prior to enrollment in MAS 1015. Students must complete the CPR and drug screen requirements prior to enrollment in the 3rd semester.
The college will not be responsible for any tuition, fees or other costs that may be charged or paid or lost due to incomplete, untimely or unsatisfactory health records, CPR certification, background check or drug screen. The college is not responsible for the conduct of background checks and drug screenings, or decisions made by other entities as a result of the background check and drug screening requirements.
Career Opportunities:
massage therapist
Student Learning Outcomes:
Students will…
- Integrate knowledge of biopsychosocial arts and sciences in the application of massage therapy theory, principles, and techniques
- Demonstrate knowledge of the theories, principles, techniques, and applications of therapeutic massage and associated treatment modalities
- Perform therapeutic massage to prevent and alleviate pain, discomfort, and stress; to improve body function and performance; to stimulate or enhance healing and recovery; as well as to promote health and wellness
- Utilize technical, critical thinking and problem solving skills in clinical performance
- Demonstrate the ability to communicate and interact with coworkers, clients, the lay community, and members of the health care professions the goals of massage therapy and its profession
- Practice within the ethical and legal guidelines of therapeutic massage with recognition of and sensitivity to cultural and socioeconomic differences
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