Kinds of Degrees Offered at Massage Therapy Schools

Online massage therapy schools offer a variety of degrees. One of the quicker routes to entering the field is earning your diploma. A diploma in massage therapy gives you the necessary knowledge and skills to complete your training in about 12 months. This program provides students with the fundamentals of therapeutic massage, basic science and business information that will be useful in the industry. Students are taught by experienced instructors, who demonstrate massage procedures and techniques during lab sessions. The entire year of training is reinforced in a clinical practicum or externship, which tests the students massage procedures and understanding of the human body. Graduates of massage therapy diploma programs are equipped to work for larger massage companies or begin their own private practice. They may be employed by hospitals, clinics, spas, salons or private massage businesses. With a diploma, graduates can go on to explore further licensing or certification opportunities, as well as other massage specialties.

Another degree that might be of interest to students is an associate in applied science in massage therapy (A.A.S.). This program typically takes two years to complete, but many have been shortened to 18 months of full-time study. In this degree program, you can expect to learn basic and advanced massage techniques, as well as business management skills. During your educational experience, you will learn how to make a business out of massage therapy by giving quality massage services, creating a client base and providing the friendly customer service. Students will attend lab sessions that hone their massage therapy skills and teachers will instruct and demonstrate new lessons. The technical training and assignments are completed through online classes. After training and courses are completed, students will finish an externship. With an A.A.S. degree, you can pursue numerous positions in the massage therapy field, including owning your own practice or salon.

Following graduation, all massage therapy students should be prepared to take a licensing and certification exam to ensure their understanding and qualifications to be massage therapists. The Federation of State Massage Therapy Boards is involved in massage therapy education and ensures the provision of valid licensing examinations to determine a graduate’s abilities and qualifications. Students can also expand their massage therapy education with additional degrees in business management, marketing or cosmetology certificates. Graduates with a massage therapy degree or diploma, solid work experience and a certification should have good luck finding a job or starting their own practice one day.